Enjoy these low-maintenance edible succulents as a unique addition to your indoor garden – and your plate!

Looking for some unique and fun foods to grow indoors? Go beyond herbs and a few salad greens with these interesting edible succulents!

Succulents and cacti may not be your first thought when it comes to indoor gardening, but in fact, they can be a delicious way to spice up your winter diet without requiring a lot of work. Just keep in mind that succulents generally prefer dry soil, so be careful not to over-water.

Try growing these 3 low-maintenance plants in a window box or pots placed in a sunny window for a tasty addition to your indoor garden:

1.) Dragon Fruit, Hylocereus undatus.

If you didn’t know this already, dragon fruit is part of the cactus family. This spiky fruit has a memorable crunchiness and tastes like a cross between a kiwi and a pear. They’re a great addition to smoothies or can be eaten on their own. Dragon fruit thrives in dry, warm environments. Ensure you place your own in a south-facing window or a location that has access to sunlight for 6-8 hours a day. Water it about once a week. Your soil should feel dry each time you water it.

Depending on how long you want to wait before you have harvestable fruit, you can either grow this cactus from a seed or a cutting. Growing from seed takes six years and growing from a cutting takes one.

2.) Prickly Pear, Opuntia ficus-indica

Prickly pear cactus is known for its ability to grow tasty, syrupy fruit. However, the petals are also a tasty snack that can be consumed on their own, added in salads or omelets.

You can grow them in just about any type of container. It thrives in the sun and needs at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. Your west or south-facing window will be best. It also needs well-draining soil, as soil that’s too damp for the prickly pear can cause it to rot. Water them every ten to 14 days or when its top half-inch to an inch of soil in the pot has become dry.

This cactus is slower growing in its fruit production and can take three to four years before a baby plant starts growing fruit. So enjoy its petals for the time being.

3.) Glasswort,  Salicornia europaea

Glasswort, sometimes called the poor man’s asparagus, is a succulent native to South Africa. Glasswort grows best in full sun. You can keep this succulent on your windowsill throughout the day. Ensure it is planted in sandy or soil with good drainage. This plant needs to be nurtured with salty water. For every two cups of water, add two teaspoons of sea salt and stir. Your soil should always be moist, so monitor this plant accordingly and ensure you are providing it with a steady supply of water.

Glasswort is edible and can be eaten raw in salads. Alternatively, it can be steamed, pickled, or served in a stir fry. They are tastiest and ready to harvest when stems are around 5 inches long.

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