Getting succulent plants to flower

[Sweyn]

Does anyone have any information to share about getting succulent plants to flower? I'm mainly asking about cacti but, would be interested in learning about similar plants flowering.

I have had cacti and aloes for many years but, none of them have ever flowered. Most of them have grown very well. What is required, for plants kept on windowsills?

[Suofei]

I have also been trying to get my succulents to flower (with no luck yet) so I have been researching the topic a lot lately. Here is the small amount of information that I have found.

In order to get succulents to flower you need three main things: lots of light, water, and fertiliser. These three things help the plant to make more food which can be used to create flowers.

Apart from that, it really depends on what type of succulent you have. Some need to experience cool temperatures in the winter to encourage spring flowers. Others need to be slowly moved outside to get more warmth and heat to bloom.

Hope this helps and that you're more successful than I have been!

[baileysup]

I'm not sure of anything besides what was already mentioned, but I love it when they do!

[imafan26]

The kind of succulent does matter. Aloe's need to be big enough and old enough to bloom. Agave's may take years to bloom and then will make lots of pups and die.

Mine are all outside and they do like to be in the sun. Some of them will put up multiple blooms and some will only put out one. The starflower cactus (carion flower) usually put out only one or two large blooms. My red flame will put out a handful every year and the hawarthia blooms very briefly, so I may even miss it.

[Sweyn]

Thanks for all the answers. I have sunny and shaded positions to keep plants in but, I have only kept them indoors. You have inspired me to search online, for information about what particular types need, to flower.

[KittieKAT]

Mine kinda do it when i least expect it, i don't think they like the pressure of us hoping they will bud and bloom

[Sweyn]

KittieKAT, what do you do differently, with yours? Do you use fertiliser or not? Do you have them in a very sunny position?

[imafan26]

The aloes bloom in late Spring and early summer when they are old enough. I think it may have something to do with day length as well. My temperature does not vary much day/night or throughout the year to qualify as any kind of chill factor. Most of my cactus and succulents bloom in Spring and summer. Right now the desert roses are blooming and the dragon fruit.