Small Indoor Succulents: care and cultivation guide

Small indoor succulents, original arrangements and home decoration ideas

Succulents are among the easiest indoor plants to grow and a perfect solution to bring a touch of green to even the smallest spaces.

Discover how to care for cacti and succulents, where to place them, how much to water them, and which varieties are best suited for growing at home.

Small indoor succulents, original arrangements and home decoration ideas
Succulents are among the easiest indoor plants to grow
and a perfect solution to bring a touch of green
to even the smallest spaces.

Discover how to care for cacti and succulents,
where to place them, how much to water them,
and which varieties are best suited for growing at home.

How to care for succulents

How much light do they need?
Succulents love bright spaces and generally need plenty of light to grow healthy and maintain their characteristic shape.
Some species can tolerate direct sun, but it is best to accustom them gradually, especially after a period in low-light environments, to avoid sunburn on the leaves.
How often should you water succulents?
Succulents need very little water and prefer to be watered only when the soil is completely dry.
Generally, during the warmer season, watering every 10–15 days may be sufficient, while in winter, watering can be much more sporadic.
It is always better to give a little less water at wider intervals than frequent, heavy watering.
Where should you keep succulents at home?
The ideal spot is a bright location, preferably near a window.
Living rooms, kitchens, offices, or other well-lit spaces can be suitable, provided the plant is not exposed to cold draughts or direct heat sources like radiators and heaters.
For some species, a few hours of direct sunlight can be beneficial.
Which pot should you choose for a succulent?
The pot must be proportioned to the size of the plant and, above all, guarantee good water drainage.
Containers with drainage holes at the bottom are preferred, as they help avoid waterlogging and keep roots healthy.
Avoid excessively large pots: too much soil retains more moisture and can increase the risk of root rot.

KalaMitica magnetic containers can also be used as pot holders for small succulents: simply insert the plant already arranged in its original pot inside them, without planting directly in the magnetic container.
This allows you to create original arrangements and easily move your plants onto a magnetic board or other metallic surfaces.
When should you repot a succulent?
The best time to repot a succulent is generally in spring, when the growth phase resumes.
It is advisable to proceed when the roots have completely filled the pot, the container has become too small, or the soil no longer guarantees good drainage.
After repotting, it is best to wait a few days before watering.
Why is my succulent turning brown?
There can be several causes.
Brown, dry spots or patches can be due to excessive sun exposure, especially if the plant was not gradually accustomed to it.
On the contrary, soft or dark brown parts at the base may indicate overwatering and potential rot.
Temperatures that are too low can also damage certain species.
Why are the leaves turning soft?
Soft leaves can be a sign of overwatering, especially if they also become translucent, dark, or tend to fall off easily.
In other cases, wrinkled and soft leaves can indicate dehydration.
Therefore, check the soil before watering and ensure that water can drain properly from the pot.
Why is my succulent not growing?
Very slow growth is normal for some species, especially during the colder months.
If the plant does not grow for a long time, the causes could be low light, inadequate watering, sub-optimal temperatures, or nutrient-depleted, poorly draining soil.
A bright location and regular care, respecting the plant's natural seasonal cycle, will encourage healthy growth.

The best indoor succulents and mini cacti: care tips

Notocactus Leninghausii, the easiest cactus to care for

Bright place

SUMMER:
once a week

WINTER:
once a month

Rio Grande do Sul (Southern Brazil)

Difficulty: very easy

"Succulent" facts

This species is named after the Brazilian collector Guillermo Leninghaus.

The name of the genus Notocactus derives from the geographical area of ​​origin, where a hot wind called "Notos" blows.

Rooms

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Haworthia Big Band, a very long-lived succulent

Bright place or half shade

SUMMER:
once a week

WINTER:
once a month

South Africa, Mexico

Difficulty: very easy

"Succulent" facts

Much appreciated for the beauty of its leaves, it blooms in spring-summer.

In summer, Haworthia stops growing above the ground to use its energy to develop and strengthen its roots.

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Mammillaria Spinosissima, the "pink pincushion"

Bright place

SUMMER:
twice a week

WINTER:
once a month

Mexico, Southern United States

Difficulty: easy

"Succulent" facts

It is commonly called "pink pincushion" due to its abundant blooms in spring and summer.

It can reach a height of 50 cm.

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Pachycereus Pringlei, the biggest cactus in the world

Bright place

SUMMER:
twice a week

WINTER:
once/twice a month

North-West Mexico, South California

Difficulty: easy-medium

"Succulent" facts

It is one of the tallest cacti in the world, which is why it is also called "elephant cactus".

In ancient times, the pulp was used as a disinfectant and medicine, while the seeds were ground to obtain a kind of flour.

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Mammillaria Glassii, the cactus with its pretty pink flowers

Bright place or half shade

SUMMER:
2-3 times a week

WINTER:
once a month

Mexico

Difficulty: easy

"Succulent" facts

It was first discovered only in 1968 by the botanist and collector Robert Alan Foster.

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Haworthia Superfasciata, perfect for those without a green thumb

Bright place or half shade

SUMMER:
once a week

WINTER:
once a month

South Africa, Mexico

Difficulty: very easy

"Succulent" facts

The name of this genus is a tribute to Adrian Hardy Haworth, one of the first botanists to study and cure it.

This species is highly appreciated for its elegant rosette shape.

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Echinopsis Subdenudata, the "Easter cactus" with large flowers

Bright place

SUMMER:
once a week

WINTER:
once a month

Bolivia, Paraguay

Difficulty: easy

"Succulent" facts

It produces large, fragrant white flowers, which open in the afternoon and stay open for one night only.

In nature you can even find plants that are only 20 cm tall with over a cubic meter of roots!

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Ferocactus Emoryi, the "ferocious cactus"

Bright place

SUMMER:
once a week

WINTER:
once a month

Arizona, Mexico

Difficulty: easy

"Succulent" facts

The main characteristic of this genus of cactus is the presence of very robust and developed thorns: from this derives the name of “ferocious cactus”.

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Mammillaria Bombycina, the cactus with hooked thorns

Bright place

SUMMER:
once/twice a week

WINTER:
twice a month

North of Mexico

Difficulty: easy

"Succulent" facts

Its name derives from the Latin bombycinus, which means “made of silk", referring to the dense down that surrounds the younger parts of the plant, on the top.

It withstands even lower temperatures than other succulents.

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Mammillaria Zeilmanniana, the ever-flowering plant

Vaso Magnetico KalaMitica, colore bianco, con Mammillaria Zeilmanniana fiorita

Bright place

SUMMER:
once/twice a week

WINTER:
once/twice a month

Central Mexico

Difficulty: easy

"Succulent" facts

It is one of the best known and most widespread varieties of Mammillaria.

It always blooms abundantly, even several times a year.

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Aloe Variegata, the lucky plant

Bright place or half shade

SUMMER:
once a week

WINTER:
once a month

South Africa, Madagascar, Saudi Arabia

Difficulty: easy

"Succulent" facts

Also known as Tiger Aloe, it is a plant that has been considered lucky since the times of the ancient Egyptians.

Still today, giving an Aloe plant as a gift means wishing you a long and happy life.

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Mammillaria Hahniana, the "old lady" cactus

Bright place

SUMMER:
once a week

WINTER:
once a month

Central Mexico

Difficulty: easy

"Succulent" facts

In nature it lives only in a small area and is at risk of extinction, but it is very resistant even to low temperatures.

It blooms in spring, from the first years of life.

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Haworthia Limifolia, a mini succulent plant

Bright place or half shade

SUMMER:
once a week

WINTER:
once a month

South Africa, Mozambique

Difficulty: very easy

"Succulent" facts

This plant does not grow very large, reaching a maximum of 12 cm in diameter. For this reason, it is always recommended to grow it in a pot, and it can be used to create pretty arrangements together with other small succulents

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Aloe Squarrosa, the plant with curved leaves

Bright place or half shade

SUMMER:
once a week

WINTER:
once a month

Indian Ocean

Difficulty: very easy

"Succulent" facts

Aloe squarrosa is native to the mountainous areas north of the island of Socotra, located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Somalia. The particular shape of the leaves gives the species its name: in fact, in Latin squarrosus means ‘curved at the ends’.

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Succulents and KalaMitica magnetic containers

Small succulents and magnetic containers can become an original decorative feature for your home and office.

Thanks to the KalaMitica system, you can make use of vertical surfaces and create green compositions that are easy to update over time.

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