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Cacti and succulents are known to survive with little water and have become extremely popular houseplants because they can thrive with minimal care. However, these beautiful spiky plants are more likely to die in late spring, as most people keep them in the wrong place in their homes.

The gardening experts at Westland Horticulturehave warned houseplant owners to take cacti and succulent plants off the windowsill if they are looking discoloured in May. They said: "Cacti and succulents thrive with good light sources, and it is best to place cacti and succulents in a bright place. A south-facing position will provide good sunlight. However, be careful not to put them in direct sunlight because the intense light can make the plants turn a yellow colour."

It is common to place cactus and succulent plants on a windowsill so they get plenty of sunlight, but any sudden sun exposure after winter can shock them if they receive too much at once.

That might sound strange since cacti and succulents are desert plants, but if they are used to the weak winter light, they will not be able to process the brighter sunlight in May.

Cacti and succulents tend to grow softer tissue during the winter months, and in spring, they often become stressed and burned if you do not keep an eye on them.

Common signs of sun scorch on these plants include turning yellow or brown, developing pale white patches, or becoming damaged on the side facing the window.

However, it is usually easy to help cacti and succulent plants recover, as you just need to take them off the windowsill and keep them a small distance away from a sunny window.

They will still need plenty of sunlight, but it is better to place them in a spot with bright, indirect light to help them recover if you suspect they are suffering from sun shock.

Make sure they are still getting light, as placing them in a darker area of the home can weaken their recovery, and constantly moving them will also stress them out.

It is best to give cacti and succulent plants stability so they can get used to more sunlight. Simply taking a 30-second break to move them off the windowsill will help them stay healthy.

Cacti and succulents tend to like south-facing windows, as they get the most hours of sunlight in the UK and are usually the only spot they can grow properly in summer.

If your plants are looking discoloured, it is better to move them onto a shelf or onto a table away from the window in spring, rather than to a completely different location.