It's not important what it says on the outside of the bag - what's important is what's IN the bag; and all "cactus mixes" are not created equal. Cactus mix 'A' may be entirely appropriate for a particular herb, while cactus mix 'B' may be entirely inappropriate for the same plant. There is no way to make a determination based on what label the packager put on the bag. If anything, I'd be concerned that some cactus mixes hold TOO MUCH water to be appropriate for either cacti or herbs; so Rhizo's hedging was entirely appropriate and essentially what I'd have said. Neither of us are willing to accept what it says on a bag of soil at face value unless we know the soil. Ideally, you want a soil that holds good amounts of moisture, but doesn't support perched water. Perched water is the water that occupies the soggy layer of soil at the bottom of the pot that occurs as a result of using MOST commercially prepared potting soils; so I would say that from the plant's perspective, what most of you consider to be ordinary, good-quality potting mix is too water retentive to offer your plant to grow at even close to its potential. I tend to look at things from the plant's perspective; and to a plant, there really isn't such a thing as draining too fast. There is a balance to be reached when it comes to watering frequency, but you can almost predict an increase in potential growth and vitality as the need to water increases. IOW, soils that need more frequent watering can generally be counted on to significantly increase the potential for growth and vitality, while at the same time increasing the growers margin for error when it comes to watering and fertilizing. Let me know if you'd like to know more. Al

Thanks for that link, diggingthedirt! We're taking a road trip to Ohio in April to visit my husband's mother, and we'll be driving right past Bluestone. If they're only "5 minutes north of I-90" as they claim, it will be easy to stop in. Maybe I'll be able to buy an Arp in person, after all! Speaking of rosemary, my "regular" one is begging to have a couple more babies layered from it. It took care of the first one all by itself (rooted itself right in its pot, while sitting on the kitchen counter in its over-Wintering location), and I pinned another branch down to the soil a week or so ago. I noticed today that a couple of other branches look like great candidates for the same, but they won't reach to the soil in the same pot -- I'd need to put another pot next to it, which would make the whole setup rather difficult to move. I may still do it, however. This Spring I may be overrun with rosemary, but somehow I think I should be able to find some takers for it.

your plants need the following: air, sun, water/humidity,heat ... a bunch of other things... think of it this way .... they are all full sun, summer plants .... mimic what they need outdoors and you will be further ahead .... first .... they all grow in the summer ... soil temperature NEVER fall very far .... if you are in a cold zone and trying to do this on the window sill .... they might be getting too cold at night .... leading to root rot .. if you have a furnace.. they are struggling for lack of humidity .... i agree you are probably over-watering ... and it is real tricky in the house .... in the winter .... i would suggest you tend toward letting them all dry between waterings ..... if you are relying on the sun through a window pane .. they are starving for light .... these plants need 8 to 12 hours of sun .... direct ... in the alternative ....16 hours under standard fluorescent lights no more than a few inches above them will suffice ... since you will need a light set up .... you will be able to add humidity .... research propagation .. and see if you can get a fresh start .... your plants came into the house with bug eggs in the soil ... and since they are food plants... you can not use a systemic to rid the soil of the bugs.. ergo ... you have to start over .... with cuttings.. in an isolated area .. if possible.. and then ... sterilize some media.. and keep them clean ..... other than saying they get light and water.. you have provided little if any information to exactly what you are doing in regard to the culture of your plants ... we cant help without more info .... the injuries you are experiencing are not the problem ... the weakening of your plants is the problem .... grow a strong plant ..... and the other things disappear .... and i sure hope these things aren't in clay pots .... they are nearly impossible to use in a house .... too wet.. too dry ... etc .... mint, as i recall .. roots freely ... if you still have a sprig or two that is in good shape .... slice the end.. and root it in a cup of water ..... off hand.. i don't know about the others .... good luck ken

It's a conifer seedling of some sort. Angiosperms - flowering plants - usually (but not always) germinate with a pair of cotelydons (first leaves) whereas conifers (Gymnosperms or cone bearing plants) produce a whorl of foliage like in the photo. What kind of conifers are close by? That could nail things down a bit but it is really difficult to be more specific until the little guy has grown on more.