Succulents and Cacti for Indoors
Jade, echeveria, haworthia, cacti: sun, infrequent watering, gritty soil.
Succulents and cacti grow well indoors if they get enough light, a fast-draining gritty mix and a soak-and-dry watering rhythm: place them in the brightest window you have (or under a grow light), plant them in cactus mix in a pot with a drainage hole, water thoroughly only when the soil is completely dry, often every two to three weeks, and water even less in winter. Jade plant, aloe, haworthia, echeveria and Christmas cactus are the easiest to start with.
- Thick, water-storing leaves or stems
- Prefers soil that dries out completely between waterings
- Needs bright light to keep a compact shape
- Comfortable in dry indoor air
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera (syn. Aloe barbadensis)- 4+ hours of direct sun; south or west window; acclimate over 10–14 days
- Soak, then dry completely: every 10–14 days in summer, every 4–6 weeks in winter
- ASPCA: toxic to cats, dogs and horses (saponins, anthraquinones): vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea
Crown of thorns
Euphorbia milii- Full sun indoors: south or west window, 3-4+ hours of direct sun
- When the top inch is dry in spring-summer; sparingly in winter
- Toxic: irritant milky sap, harmful if eaten (not individually listed by ASPCA)
Echeveria
Echeveria spp.- 4–6 hours of direct sun: south, west or southeast window; brightest spot in winter
- Soak and dry completely: every 7–14 days in summer, every 3–5 weeks in a cool winter, at the rim
- Non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses (ASPCA, Echeveria elegans)
Jade Plant
Crassula ovata- 4+ hours of direct sun; south or west window
- Soak, then let dry completely: every 7–14 days in summer, every 4–6 weeks in a cool winter
- ASPCA: toxic to cats, dogs and horses (vomiting, depression, incoordination)
Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana- Full sun is best (Clemson HGIC); the sunniest south or west window you have
- Let the soil dry most of the way, then soak; much less often in winter
- Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA): bufadienolides; vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rhythm (rare)
String of hearts
Ceropegia woodii (syn. Ceropegia linearis subsp. woodii)- Bright light: right at an east window, or 1–3 ft from a south or west window; some direct sun is fine
- When the soil is dry all the way through: about every 7–14 days in summer, 3–4 weeks in winter
- Not listed by ASPCA; generally regarded as non-toxic, not formally classified
String of Pearls
Curio rowleyanus (syn. Senecio rowleyanus)- Bright light; gentle morning sun is fine, shade from hot afternoon sun
- Only when the mix is fully dry; about every 2–3 weeks in summer, 3–5 in winter
- Toxic to pets per ASPCA (vomiting, lethargy); sap may irritate skin
Succulents
Crassulaceae, Asphodelaceae, Cactaceae and others- 4–6 hours of direct sun; south, southeast or southwest window
- Soak, then dry completely: every 7–14 days in summer, every 3–6 weeks in winter
- Depends on the plant: jade, aloe, kalanchoe, desert rose and euphorbias are toxic (ASPCA); haworthia and echeveria are non-toxic
Comparison: which one fits your conditions
| Plant | Light | Water | Difficulty | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aloe Vera | 4+ hours of direct sun; south or west window; acclimate over 10–14 days | Soak, then dry completely: every 10–14 days in summer, every 4–6 weeks in winter | Easy | ASPCA: toxic to cats, dogs and horses (saponins, anthraquinones): vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea |
| Crown of thorns | Full sun indoors: south or west window, 3-4+ hours of direct sun | When the top inch is dry in spring-summer; sparingly in winter | Easy | Toxic: irritant milky sap, harmful if eaten (not individually listed by ASPCA) |
| Echeveria | 4–6 hours of direct sun: south, west or southeast window; brightest spot in winter | Soak and dry completely: every 7–14 days in summer, every 3–5 weeks in a cool winter, at the rim | Easy | Non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses (ASPCA, Echeveria elegans) |
| Jade Plant | 4+ hours of direct sun; south or west window | Soak, then let dry completely: every 7–14 days in summer, every 4–6 weeks in a cool winter | Easy | ASPCA: toxic to cats, dogs and horses (vomiting, depression, incoordination) |
| Kalanchoe | Full sun is best (Clemson HGIC); the sunniest south or west window you have | Let the soil dry most of the way, then soak; much less often in winter | Easy | Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA): bufadienolides; vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rhythm (rare) |
| String of hearts | Bright light: right at an east window, or 1–3 ft from a south or west window; some direct sun is fine | When the soil is dry all the way through: about every 7–14 days in summer, 3–4 weeks in winter | Easy | Not listed by ASPCA; generally regarded as non-toxic, not formally classified |
| String of Pearls | Bright light; gentle morning sun is fine, shade from hot afternoon sun | Only when the mix is fully dry; about every 2–3 weeks in summer, 3–5 in winter | Moderate | Toxic to pets per ASPCA (vomiting, lethargy); sap may irritate skin |
| Succulents | 4–6 hours of direct sun; south, southeast or southwest window | Soak, then dry completely: every 7–14 days in summer, every 3–6 weeks in winter | Easy | Depends on the plant: jade, aloe, kalanchoe, desert rose and euphorbias are toxic (ASPCA); haworthia and echeveria are non-toxic |
Succulents have a reputation as the easiest houseplants, yet many end up stretched or rotten within a year. The reason is that they are easy outdoors in sun; indoors, their needs are specific.
Light: more than you think
Iowa State University Extension calls light one of the most limiting factors for indoor succulents: they need ten or more hours of bright light, and most at least six to eight. In low light they become lanky and pale. A south or west window is best; otherwise use a full-spectrum LED grow light. Rotate pots so they grow evenly.
Soil, pots and watering
Use a cactus mix or add perlite and sand to potting soil, and always a pot with a drainage hole; unglazed terracotta helps the mix dry. Water by soaking the whole root ball, let it drain completely and never leave water in a saucer. Iowa State notes every two or three weeks typically works, depending on light, pot and humidity. Wrinkled, drying lower leaves mean too dry; yellowing leaves and soft stems mean too wet. Feed in spring and summer at a quarter to half of the label rate.
Temperatures between 55°F and 75°F, with cooler nights, suit most succulents, and dry winter air does not bother them.
Easiest succulents and cacti for indoors
- Jade plant: long-lived, tree-like, tolerates a less-than-perfect window.
- Aloe vera: needs bright light; repot when pups crowd the pot.
- Haworthia: the best choice for a medium-light spot.
- Echeveria: needs direct sun or a grow light to keep its rosette tight.
- String of pearls: trailing, rots quickly if overwatered.
- Crown of thorns and kalanchoe: flowering succulents.
- Cactus: desert cacti need the sunniest window in the house.
For an overview of the group, see succulents.
Winter
Growth slows sharply with short days. Water about once a month and keep the plants bright and cool; overwatering in winter is the most common cause of succulent rot.
Pets
Per the ASPCA plant list, haworthia and echeveria are non-toxic, while jade plant, aloe and kalanchoe are toxic to cats and dogs. More in pet-safe plants.
Often mislabeled: plants that don't belong here
| Plant | Why it doesn't really fit |
|---|---|
| Christmas cactus | A cactus, but a forest one: it prefers more water and less direct sun than desert succulents. |
| Air plants | Not succulents; they grow without soil and are watered by soaking or misting. |
| Lithops (living stones) | True succulents, but their strict seasonal watering makes them a poor first choice. |
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water indoor succulents?
Why is my succulent stretching?
Can succulents grow in low light?
What soil is best for succulents?
Are succulents safe for cats?
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these publications. Links open in a new tab.
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List www.aspca.org
- Iowa State University Extension yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu