(ATTENTION EDITORS: 1 photo accompanies this column. FILENAME: ATHOME-INDOOR-SUCCULENTS-DMT.jpg)

It's no surprise that succulents, including cactuses, are popular. These easy-care houseplants come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes, making them perfect for any home.

All you need is a lot of light and benign neglect to raise healthy and beautiful succulents. Place the plants near an unobstructed south-, west- or east-facing window.

Don't let a lack of light stop you from enjoying these beautiful plants in your home. You'll find many attractive options for displaying your plants while providing the light they need. A single desktop LED plant light, plant light shelves and carts and furniture-grade light gardens allow you to grow these sun-lovers anywhere in your home.

Grow these plants in cactus and succulent potting mix. These fast-draining mixes help reduce the risk of overwatering, which can lead to root rot. Further reduce this risk by using containers with drainage holes that are only slightly larger than the succulents' root system. Growing them in too large of a container that retains moisture longer can result in root rot, decline and even the death of your plants.

Water thoroughly whenever the top inch or two of soil is dry. Some gardeners check the soil moisture at the drain hole to ensure it is dry and the plants need to be watered. Always pour off any excess water that collects in the saucer.

Avoid water collecting in the rosette of leaves or the cluster of prickly stems that can lead to crown rot.

Make slight adjustments in your watering regime and growing environment as the seasons change. Find a cool, sunny, draft-free location for your cactus and succulents in the fall and winter. Maximize the amount of light the plants receive by moving them to the sunniest, usually south-facing, window.

These changes in the growing conditions often encourage a spring display of colorful and unique flowers.

Boost your succulents' natural beauty by displaying them in unique containers or places in your home. Create a living wall display with a three-tier vertical wall planter or Mini Magnetic Galvanized Planter Pockets (gardeners.com ).

Grow a succulent centerpiece that can be enjoyed year-round. Plant a variety of succulents in a long narrow planter like the Veradek GEO Series Planter boxes.

Whether you're a busy, experienced or new indoor gardener, creating a succulent garden may be just what you need to brighten your home and elevate your mood.

____

Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including "The Midwest Gardener's Handbook" and "Small Space Gardening." She hosts the Great Courses' "How to Grow Anything" DVD series and the syndicated "Melinda's Garden Moment" program on TV and radio.