DON’T BE A PIN CUSHION

Some ‘micro’ spatial planning is a good idea when it comes to succulents and cacti.

Given some have toxicity issues and probably more numerically have spikes to contend with than not, consideration should be given to placement of your plants, irrespective of whether indoor or outdoors, potted or garden bed.

For instance, having once had a close encounter of the 5th kind with a mature Madagascar Palm I can clearly state you should avoid this kind of experience if at all possible.

Madagascar Palms and other ‘super spikeys’ should not be planted where an inebriated party goer can fall into them (ps. in my instance I was not inebriated, but that might have helped dull the ache!)

And even if you don’t have young children, if they visit from time to time then spare a moment to consider their safety.

Avoid planting anything toxic or spikey along the border of a pathway or anywhere close to pedestrian traffic or where young children can access.

And consider that some of the popular trailing/hanging basket plants such as Senecio String of Pearls could look pretty edible to a young child. So keep them out of reach and trim them to ensure little hands can’t grab them.

I’ve never owned a cat, but I have read that sometimes they like to nibble greenery. So consider what you have potted up indoors (or outdoors) if you are a cat lover.

Succulents and cacti are wonderful plants but when it comes time to choose a location for them consideration needs to be given to not only the basic requirements for light, heat, water and soil type but also the health and well being of both humans and animals.