1Pot & Soil: Ventilation to Prevent Rot, Protect "Fox Tail" Health

Prioritize terracotta pots or hanging pots with ventilation holes at the bottom and sides. For single-stem plants, the pot diameter is 8-10cm; for clumping plants, 12-15cm. The pot height is 10-15cm – avoid deep pots to prevent water accumulation at the bottom, and meet the hanging growth needs.

Soil formula: Granular soil (lava rock + maifan stone + akadama) + nutrient soil + a small amount of coco coir = 7:2:1. Add 1% carbendazim for disinfection when mixing to ensure soil is loose, breathable and has excellent drainage.

Coco coir should be fully soaked and squeezed dry to avoid increasing soil humidity, protecting succulent roots and stem bases from rot.

2Light Requirements: Nourish with Scattered Light, Prevent "Fox Tail" Scorching

Loves bright scattered light, suitable for placing on east-facing balconies, windowsills or indoor areas close to light sources. 3-4 hours of scattered light daily can meet growth needs – sufficient light makes stems thicker, fluff denser, and flowering probability higher.

Summer sun protection: When temperature exceeds 30℃, move to a cool and ventilated place to avoid direct sunlight. Otherwise, the fluff on stems is easy to scorch and turn yellow, and even cause stems to lose water and shrink, affecting the appearance of "fox tails".

Winter light supplement: When light is insufficient in winter, place on south-facing windowsills to receive mild direct light, or use succulent grow lights (3 hours daily) to prevent stems from elongating and thinning, and fluff from becoming sparse.

3Watering Principles: Strictly Control Water, Avoid "Fox Tail" Rot

Follow "Water only when dry, avoid getting fluff wet" – water only when potting soil is completely dry (no moisture when inserting a toothpick) and stems are slightly soft. The stem of nine-tailed fox has strong water storage capacity, and overwatering is the main cause of stem rot.

Watering method: Adopt "water along the pot edge" or "bottom watering method", avoid water directly splashing on the fluff of stems. For bottom watering, only let the bottom 1/3 of the potting soil contact water, take it out immediately after the surface soil is moist, and drain excess water to prevent fluff from sticking and molding after getting wet.

Seasonal watering: Water every 15-20 days in spring and autumn growing seasons; water "survival water" every 25-30 days in summer semi-dormant period, only keep soil slightly moist; when temperature is below 10℃ in winter, water every 40-50 days or stop watering completely, keep potting soil dry.

4Temperature Adaptation: Optimal 15-25℃, Protect "Fox Tail" Vitality

Optimal growth temperature: 15-25℃ – stems grow rapidly, fluff is white and shiny, plants are full overall, and flowering probability is higher in summer and autumn.

Winter warmth: Weak cold tolerance, move to a warm indoor place when temperature is below 10℃, away from air conditioning vents and cold drafts, maintain ambient temperature ≥10℃ to prevent stems from freezing, turning black and fluff from withering.

Summer cooling: When temperature exceeds 32℃, move to a well-ventilated scattered light place, enhance air circulation by sprinkling water on the ground or using a small fan, avoid stem base rot caused by stuffy environment.

5Fertilization: Thin and Skillful Fertilizer, Promote "Fox Tail" Prosperity

Fertilize only in spring and autumn growing seasons, stop fertilizing in summer and winter dormant periods to avoid root rot caused by fertilizer solution stimulation.

Fertilizer selection: Use succulent-specific slow-release fertilizer or diluted phosphorus-potassium fertilizer (such as potassium dihydrogen phosphate), avoid high-nitrogen fertilizer – high-nitrogen fertilizer is easy to cause stems to elongate and thin, losing the thick and full sense of "fox tails".

Fertilization method: Slow-release fertilizer can be buried at the edge of potting soil, away from stem bases and roots, with a dosage of 1-2 grams at a time (adjust according to plant size), valid for 3-6 months; liquid fertilizer needs to be diluted to 1/5 of the concentration in the manual, water along the pot edge, once every 20 days, avoid fertilizer solution contacting stem fluff.

6Pruning & Shaping: Create "Nine Tails" Cute Shape

Prune in spring and autumn growing seasons, focus on pruning withered and blackened stem segments, as well as messy side stems that affect the shape, to keep the plant shape neat.

Shaping skills: For clumping "nine tails" effect, retain healthy side stems and let them grow naturally; if you prefer single-stem hanging shape, timely remove side buds germinated at the base to concentrate nutrients on the main stem, promoting the main stem to thicken and lengthen.

Fluff care: Regularly comb the stem fluff gently with a soft brush to remove attached dust, avoid fluff turning yellow and sticking due to dust accumulation. Comb gently to prevent breaking stems or damaging fluff.

7Repotting & Propagation: "Fox Tails" Passed Down

Repot every 1-2 years, the best time is spring (April-May), when temperature is suitable and plants recover quickly. Stop watering 3-5 days before repotting to dry the potting soil for easy removal.

Repotting method: After removing the pot, gently shake off the old soil on the roots, prune rotten and aging roots, retain healthy succulent roots, soak the roots in carbendazim solution for 10 minutes to disinfect, air-dry for 2-3 days until the wound heals, then plant in new granular soil. Avoid direct sunlight during the slow seedling period.

Propagation method: Mainly cuttings. In spring and autumn, select healthy and undamaged stem segments, cut 10-15cm long, keep the top fluff intact, air-dry the cut for 3-5 days until the wound shrinks, insert into moist granular soil (insertion depth 3-5cm), maintain temperature at 20-25℃, and roots will grow in about 2-3 weeks.

8Pest & Disease Control: Protect "Fox Tails" Safely

Häufige Krankheiten: Stem base rot (mostly caused by overwatering and poor ventilation). At the initial stage, the stem base appears brown and soft. Immediately remove the pot, cut off the rotten part, apply plant ash to the wound, repot with new soil, and strengthen ventilation and water control later.

Häufige Schädlinge: Aphids and spider mites. Aphids are easy to gather on stem tips and fluff gaps, which can be gently wiped with cotton dipped in soapy water; when spider mites damage, white spots appear on stems, need to spray succulent-specific insecticide, once a week for 2-3 consecutive weeks, ventilate in time after spraying to avoid pesticide residue damaging fluff.