Want to try your hand at growing cacti and succulents? Experts share their dos and don'ts:

Don't overwater. Most cacti come from climates with intermittent rainfall. "They're accustomed to dry periods," said Dennis Hoidal, owner of Succulent Plants. Watering every day or planting them in pots without drainage is a no-no. Instead of watering on a schedule, pay attention to the plant and its soil, and water only when soil is dry, said Daiv Freeman, publisher of Cacti Guide. "You've got to watch what's happening. I wouldn't water an outdoor bed at all."

Don't underwater. That said, cacti do need water during their growth cycle. "We have an image of them growing in pure sand, no water," Freeman said. "But when they're growing [usually in spring], they need water." In summer, however, many cacti stop growing and "rest." "The key to success is to watch," Hoidal said. "When they stop growing, cut down to just misting." In general, jungle cacti require more water than desert cacti.

Don't skimp on acid. City tap water in Minneapolis and St. Paul is not sufficiently acidic for cacti and succulents to thrive, according to Hoidal. "The plant is accustomed to rainwater. Without enough nutrients, the soil starts to deteriorate." He recommends buying a test kit. If your tap water's pH balance is below 6, add acid. (A little common household vinegar, added to a 5-gallon pail, usually does the trick, he said.)

Do plant in the sunniest spot you've got. "Full sun is definitely a good thing," Freeman said.

Do overwinter non-native species. Freeman stops watering his greenhouse cacti in October, then winters them in a coal bin in his basement where the temperature stays about 45 degrees. "They sit in the dark from November through April. You don't need to do anything. It's like keeping potatoes or carrots," he said.

Do provide well-drained soil. Freeman plants outdoor cacti in raised beds to promote drainage. For his greenhouse cacti, he mixes his own growing medium, using one part potting soil with two parts pumice and one part coir (ground coconut husks).

Do transplant if a plant isn't thriving. "Transplanting is something people are afraid to do, but most succulents tolerate it very well," Hoidal said. But do wear thick leather gloves if you're transplanting a cactus -- and want to avoid puncture wounds.