How to Care for a Hoodia Plant

Hoodia plants include approximately 20 species of succulent plants similar to cacti. The most popular type is the hoodia gordonii, a plant valued as a weight loss aid and the easiest of the hoodia species to cultivate. These plants originated in southern Africa's arid climate, an environment that can be difficult to mimic when caring for hoodia at home. With the proper attention -- or often non-attention in the case of these plants -- hoodia can thrive.

Succulent and cactus potting medium
Pot with good drainage
Hoodia plant

Instructions

- 1
  Transplant the hoodia plant to a pot filled with succulent and cactus potting medium if it is a hoodia cutlet. Although hoodias grown from seed can thrive in any type of soil, cutlets perform best in soil that mimics their native environment. The pot should have plenty of drainage holes to prevent root rot.
- 2
  Water the hoodia sparingly once every three months. If your region is particularly humid, watering may be necessary only once every four months. Seedlings require a little more water, however. Water seedlings twice weekly until the plant becomes established. Do not water hoodias in weather of 95 degrees Fahrenheit or above. Watering is the trickiest part of hoodia care, since over-watering will quickly kill the plant.
- 3
  Put the hoodia in a well-lighted area. Although hoodia plants do not require direct sun, they do need lots of light to perform optimally. Hoodia plants become dormant in cold weather, so consider keeping them indoors or in a temperature-controlled greenhouse in the winter months.

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