Plant Min Zone: 6a
Plant Max Zone: 11b
Sunlight: All Day Full Sun
Water / Rainfall: Very Low
Soil Quality: Poor
Bloom Season: None
Flower Color: Mixed Colors
Berry / Fruit Color: None
Spring Foliage Color: Mixed Colors
Summer Foliage Color: Mixed Colors
Fall Foliage Color: Mixed Colors
Evergreen Foliage: Yes
Winter Interest: Yes
Scented Flowers: No
Drought Tolerance: High
Wet-Feet Tolerance: Low
Humidity Tolerance: Low
Wind Tolerance: High
Poor Soil Tolerance: Sandy Soils, Rocky Soils, Alkaline Soils (high PH)
Height: 1' - 2'
Width: 1' - 2'
Growth Rate: Slow
Service Life: Medium: 3-5 years
Maintenance Need: Low
Spreading Potential: Extremely Low
Yearly Trimming Tips: Yuccas and Cacti Need No Trimming Except to Remove the Dead Flower Stalk.
Plant Grouping Size: Specimen Planting of 1-3, Small Grouping of 3-5
Best Side of House: South Exposure, West Exposure
Extreme Planting Locations: Survives Under Roof Overhang, Survives Severe Drought, Tolerates Extreme Heat, Resistant to Rabbits
Ornamental Features: Multiple Seasons of Interest, Exceptional / Colorful Foliage
Special Landscape Uses: None
Possible Pest Problems: Root Rot Disease, Mealy Bugs
Plant Limitations: Needs Excellent Drainage
Succulents are usually spineless and grown for their beautiful shapes, color and texture. Cactus are known for their spines, unusual shapes and beautiful flowers. Late on the evolutionary timeline, cacti fossils are rare to non-existent. The "spines" are actually modified leaves! Cacti are native almost exclusively to the Americas, while succulents can include a much larger plant palette be from any dry area in the world. Both succulents and cacti store water in their fleshy tissues. They are usually grown as a patio or house plant in Kansas. In the wild, some species are hardy to below 0 degrees F. Grow in full sun with no extra watering except that which comes from rainfall. Repotting may or may not be needed depending on how large you want the plant to grow; plants can continue to grow taller and tolerate extremely root-bound pots but may need wind bracing. If repotting, make sure to use a sharp draining low organic cactus mix with plenty of sand and perlite. To play is safe, potted plants are best moved in before night temperatures get below 45 degrees F. It is important to avoid the combination of wet and cold. Move to a bright interior window over the winter with no watering and keep above freezing. As a winter house plant, it will look presentable all winter long with just no waterings. As a permanent house plant, provide bright light and allow the soil to dry between waterings for many years of carefree enjoyment. Plants grown permanently indoors may begin to elongate stretching for light and lose their spine color. It can be hard to reproduce the intense UV sunlight they need so moving outside for the summer is best. Generally if moving outside for the summer, allow 1-2 weeks of part shade or morning sun before placing in full sun. Plants with time to acclimate will thrive in full sun but be careful not to rush it or sunburning will occur. Potted plants are very low maintenance but watch for scale and mealybugs that may hide beneath the cover of spines.