Month: September 2020

Cacti are generally low-maintenance plants. Give them access to sufficient light and a minimal amount of care, and they flourish.  In fact, you can even ignore a cactus plant, but it will still thrive. But one of the easiest ways of killing a cactus plant is by overwatering.  In fact, overwatering kills these succulents much faster than underwatering. It is also the primary cause of root rot among cacti plants.

So, can an overwatered cactus be saved?  If the overwatering has already caused extensive root damage, then it might be difficult to save your dying plant. However, if you realize the problem earlier, then it is possible to help your plant bounce back with proper care. The most critical thing is to assess the damage accurately and initiate the process of saving the plant as soon as possible.

In this post, we discuss everything you need to know about overwatering cacti plants. The dangers of overwatering, the signs & symptoms, and how you can save an overwatered cactus plant.

Dangers of Overwatering a Cactus

The most common problem gardeners have to deal with when starting out with cacti plants is overwatering. But this might come with a hefty price that is so painful to pay as we had mentioned in the introduction. So, what are some of the dangers of overwatering a cactus plant?

1. Loss of color

Most cacti plants have different tones of green ranging from the lighter lime hues to the deep virid shades.

However, an overwatered cactus will mostly appear pale and dull. The discoloration usually starts slow such that you may even miss to notice any significant difference between the plant’s original and present color.

Over time, the green color turns to yellow due to chlorosis that occurs as a result of overwatering. Chlorosis refers to the loss of the green pigment and can lead to stunted growth and poor flowering of the plant.

Keep in mind that when there is too much water in the potting mix, the plant can no longer absorb nutrients properly. Therefore, your cactus stops flourishing because it lacks essential nutrients.

2. Soggy and droopy plant

Overwatering can also result in soggy and droopy plants due to too much moisture. Typically, if you touch your plant and notice that its stem feels soft and mushy, you should be worried.

The reason behind the softness and mushiness is that the stem cells are filled up with excessive water molecules and are now bulging outwards.

When the pressure builds up, the tissues of the plant start to swell and eventually rupture. The bursting of the tissues distorts the plant’s internal transportation structure such that it is no longer able to transport water and nutrients to other parts.

With time, different parts of the plant start drooping and falling off one by one. For large cacti species such as the Saguaro, the entire plant may topple over because it can no longer support its weight.

3. Root rot & death

When a cactus plant is exposed to excessive moisture, decomposition is bound to happen. A waterlogged soil interferes with air supply to the roots leading to root rot.

In most cases, rotting attacks the plant starting from the root tips before it starts spreading to the base. Since root rot happens below the surface, it is usually difficult to realize the damage until it is too late.

When the rot is worse, your plant becomes stunted, and sections of the stem may fall off when you touch them. It will then start to turn black, and if nothing is done to salvage the situation, the cactus will eventually die.

Signs of Overwatering

The truth is that it may be difficult to know if you are overwatering your cactus because the symptoms may be misleading. In the beginning, an overwatered cactus may show signs of health and happiness. It will flourish and even develop new growth.

However, things may not be the same underground.  As we have mentioned above, the plant’s roots start rotting when they are waterlogged. The unfortunate thing is that the roots below the surface may be suffering, yet the plant is deceiving you with a healthy and happy appearance.

But, it is still possible to catch the signs early if you observe your plant keenly. You should slow down watering when you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Wilting: Your plant may become visibly droopy and sad looking
• Edema: Blisters and bumps that leave permanent scars on the surface of your plant start forming
• Squishy stems and spines
• Yellowing: The color of your cactus starts turning from green to yellow. The change might be gradual, and it is easier to save your plant if you catch it early other than wait until the whole plant turns yellow.
• Leaf drop: For cacti plants such as the Christmas cactus, leaves will start dropping easily even when the plant is healthy.

Saving an Overwatered Cactus

While cacti plants are among the most forgiving plants, overwatering is an exception to the rule. So, what are you supposed to do when you realize you have been overwatering your plant?

1. Re-pot with dry soil

If you are 100% sure that you have been overwatering your cactus, the best thing you can do is take the plant out of its pot and then re-pot it with dry potting mix. After re-potting, lay it out to dry for a few days before you water lightly.

During this process, be sure to check the overall status of the roots. If you discover any root rot, use a sharp and clean knife to cut away the rotted sections. Make sure you are not re-potting it with damaged tissues.

Keep in mind that if you leave any rot behind, no matter how small it might be, it will start to spread to other parts of the plant.

2. Get rid of all dying leaves and stems

If you start to notice sections of the stem or leaves falling off, then it is a clear indicator that you have been overwatering your plant. At this point, take time to get rid of all the dying stems and leaves.

If a section of the stem is rotted but the leaves/spines are still intact, consider cutting off that section even if it means doing away with the few leaves attached to it.

For your cactus plant to survive, you must cut and remove all the infected parts because the rot spreads to other areas.

3. Start watering properly

Once you have re-potted your plant and ready to go, make sure you correct the mistake you have been committing all along; stop overwatering.  Proper watering will be vital in preventing further problems. It also gives your plant a good chance of surviving.

Do not water your plant immediately after re-potting. Instead, wait for at least one week and make sure your first watering is light. From there, you should only be watering your plant when the top two inches of the potting mix is completely dry.

Do not water your plant from the bottom and never leave it sitting in a source of water for too long. Whatever you do, just keep in mind that it is better for your cactus plant to be dry than wet.

In fact, underwatering is not a serious issue and rarely kills cacti plants. A good rule of thumb is to water your indoor cacti once every ten days. 

How to Prevent Overwatering

The best way to make sure your cactus grows without any problems is to find out its water requirements and try as much as possible not to overwater it. While this is not an easy thing to do, especially if you are a beginner, there is a general watering rule that can help you.

Typically, you should let your potting mix dry out completely between watering sessions. This means that you should always measure the moisture level in the soil before watering your plant. You can achieve this by dipping your finger in the soil to feel the level of wetness before you water.

If your finger feels wet when you dip it into the potting mix, wait for a few days and test the soil moisture again before watering.

Also, it is good to keep in mind that cacti plants require less water in the winter. In fact, a cactus may require watering only once per month during winter. Some species can even survive through the entire winter without watering.

No matter the time of the year, it is essential to ensure your potting soil is well-draining and never allow your plant to sit in standing water because the results can be catastrophic.

Final Thoughts

Proper watering is a tricky skill that you can only learn through practice. If you are just starting out, there is a high probability of overwatering your plants.

However, with time, you will start learning about the water requirements of your plant, and you will be able to tell if you are overwatering it. Don’t feel bad if you can’t crack it during the first few months because it is a learning process.

If you have ever overwatered your cacti plants and saved them, let us know what you did in the comments section below.

Cacti plants are known for their different shapes, sizes, and colors. While most of them are green, some are white and some purple.  One of the best things about these plants is that they do not need a lot of care to thrive.  But what happens when you realize your cactus has overgrown and isn’t looking its best?  Well, you cut it back and manage its size.

So, when do you need to cut back/prune your cacti plants?  Generally speaking, most cacti plants require little to no pruning because they grow slowly and will take many years before they become large.  However, overgrown plants can benefit from a bit of pruning to get rid of old stems.

Typically, you should consider pruning your cactus when it is crowded, suffering from top-bottom rotting, showing signs of pest infestation, and after blooming.  Before you start pruning your plant, you must have a clear target in mind. What do you want to achieve with the pruning?

If you are still confused about whether you should prune your plant or not, read on to find out everything you need to know. We cover the basics of cactus pruning and how you should do it right.

Can You Cut Back a Cactus Plant?

The simple answer is “yes.”  As mentioned above, there comes a time when you need to cut back your cactus plant to manage its size and avoid overcrowding. In some instances, pruning can also help save your plant from death (in case of top-bottom rotting and pest infestation).

However, you need to keep in mind that most cacti species really don’t need any form of trimming and shaping unless they have developed a huge limb that looks to tip your plant over. The only time that most gardeners are forced to cut back their cacti plants is when they are removing parts to root for new plants.

Cactus pruning, if done right, can enhance the overall appearance of your plant and prevent overcrowding which can increase the chances of pest infestation and disease. Overcrowding can also result in mildew and unhealthy plants.

Columnar cacti plants such as organ pipe cacti and totem pole cacti can get spindly or tall and require regular pruning to force thicker stems or lateral branching.

The Opuntia has flat pads that serve as the leaves. In such a case, you can remove some pads and use them to start new plants. This is still a form of pruning/ cutting back.

The other plants in the family of cactus such as the Christmas cactus produce flower stalks when blooming. These flower stalks become ugly when dead, and the only way of getting rid of them is by trimming your plant.

Although trimming serves different purposes, the most significant part of it is that you can always use the parts you cut back to start new plants.

Signs That You Need to Cut Back Your Cactus

Now that you understand some of the reasons why cactus pruning is essential, you need to know when to do it.  In this section, we discuss the top five signs that you need to prune your plant.

1. The plant has become too large

Although most cacti species grow slowly and never reach destructive heights, there are a few exceptions. Members of the jungle cactus family grow relatively fast and can become too huge when the growth conditions are right.

As a result, you may want to reduce your plant size when you notice that it is becoming too large or one side is growing much faster than the other, and you want it to be asymmetrical.

Typically, if you are pruning to reduce the size of the plant, consider cutting back the plant by at least a third each year. Regular pruning will eventually result in a slightly bushier plant with more spots for blooms to develop.

Keeping smaller sized plants makes things a little easier because you can position them anywhere in your house. You can fit them on your window sills without overcrowding the limited indoor space.

2. Pest infestation

While most cacti species have sharp spines that deter pests, certain types of pests can still find a way to your plant.  Some of the common pests that may attack your cactus include cactus bugs, mealy bugs, spider mites, cactus longhorn beetles, and scale insects.

Some of these insects multiply rapidly, and if you don’t take action to stop them early, the effect can be catastrophic. Most of them attack the stems, but others may find their way to the roots.

The moment you notice signs of pest infestation on your cactus, you need to take appropriate action to stop them.  If the pests are large, you can simply remove them by hand. But, if they are tiny such as the spider mites, you may be forced to call in a professional pest exterminator.

 The bad news is that some cacti pests are so tough and chemical-resistant such that even the most experienced pest exterminator won’t stop them.  If you have tried using an exterminator to get rid of bugs, but you don’t see results, pruning the affected part is the only solution.

Identify the part of the stem attacked by the bugs and carefully cut it back.  Make sure you prune all the affected sections of the stem to avoid re-infestation.

3. Top-bottom rotting

Rotting is a common cactus issue that you have to deal with promptly to save your succulent.  Rotting can start from the bottom (roots) and spread upwards to the stem. It can also start at the top and spread down.

When your cactus starts to turn brown and soft at the tip, you could be staring at tip rot, also known as cactus stem rot. Once your cactus starts rotting from the top, it won’t stop, and if you don’t act fast to save the plant, it will die.

Stem rot is caused by a fungus and pest infestation, or water penetrating through an open wound on the plant.  If your cactus is damaged in any way, it could be susceptible to stem rot.

Once you start noticing signs of stem rot on your plant, the most important thing you need to do is prune/ cut back all the affected sections of the stem to save the rest of the plant. If you don’t prune off the affected parts, the rot will continue to spread and eventually kill your plant.

Keep in mind that rot spreads pretty fast and you may not have a lot of time left to save the cactus. You can use pruning shears or a sharp knife to prune the affected sections of the stem.

4. The appearance of dead stalks after blooming season

The appearance of dead flower stalks just after the blooming season is another sign you need to prune your cactus. This is especially true for Christmas cacti that flowers massively.

Do not prune before the flowering season to avoid losing the precious blooms. However, once the blooming season is over, you may notice that the flower stalks left behind appear ugly. Take time and carefully cut them back to give your cactus a new look.

Apart from getting rid of the dead stalks, pruning after the flowering season will also make your cactus bushier which will eventually lead to the development of more blooms the next time the plant flowers.  Ensure you cut back all the dead stalks and unhealthy branches.

5. Cactus is getting too tall for its pot

Lastly, you should also consider pruning when you realize that your cactus plant is getting too tall for its pot. Ideally, you should repot your cactus every two or three years, but this is not always the case.

Therefore, if you realize that your plant is getting taller for its pot, consider pruning it so that it doesn’t topple over.  In most cases, plants grown in light plastic containers tend to grow taller and thin.  Reducing the plant to an appropriate height helps it to become thicker and healthy.

Keeping Safe While Cutting Back Your Cactus

Ensure you observe safety measures when pruning a cactus.  Wear protective clothing such as long pants, sturdy shoes, leather gloves, and a long-sleeved shirt. You should also put on protective eye glasses if you are pruning a prickly pear because the glochids can become loose and blown into your eye by the wind.

Make sure your gloves are waterproof to protect you against the milky sap, which might cause severe inflammation and irritation if it comes in contact with your skin.  You might also need a water-based marker to help you mark the exact sections of the stem you need to prune.

Final Thought

That is it about pruning/cutting back your cactus plant. Keep in mind that these succulents are quite dangerous, and you need to be careful while pruning.

Now that you have a complete guide on how and when to prune your cactus, it is time to put on your gear and get down to work. Always give your cacti plants the face-lift they deserve so that they look healthy and beautiful throughout the year.

Cacti are hardy plants that can survive and thrive with minimal care. In most cases, these succulents aren’t affected by too many issues.But it doesn’t mean your plant won’t experience any issues whatsoever. One of the common issues that affect cacti plants is drooping or a cactus falling over.  If you notice sections of your plant falling over, then it means it is stressed in some way, and you need to find out the cause as soon as possible.

So, why is my cactus falling over? Falling over is a sign of stress in cacti plants. Even though the plant may appear to be perfectly healthy, something could be ailing it and the sooner you find it out the better. Some of the leading causes of drooping in cacti plants include overwatering/underwatering, a plant potted in a container that is too large, weak roots/root rot, pest infestation, or lack of sufficient sunlight.

In this post, we discuss some of the common reasons why your cactus plant may be falling over and what you can do to save it. Remember the fact that the earlier you identify the problem and deal with it, the better.

So, let us get started

1. Underwatering

Let us start with one of the most common causes of this issue; underwatering. Typically, if you don’t water your plant sufficiently, it will start becoming too dry, and with time, it will start falling over. An underwatered cactus may also become dormant and purplish.

An underwatered cactus lacks sufficient water in its cells, which results in a relatively weak stem hence the falling over.

This problem is most likely to arise in winter when most people believe that they don’t have to water their cacti plants. While most cacti species don’t require watering during this period, ensure you keep your plant in relatively cool conditions if you will not be watering it.

Also, don’t abandon watering completely just because it is winter. Instead, reduce your watering and monitor how the plant responds to the change. If you have been watering once every two weeks, you can lower it to once every three or four weeks.

Keep in mind that underwatering in winter, especially when your plant is in a warm place, may lead to loss of roots. The more the plant loses roots, the more fragile and weak it is, leading to a wide range of issues, including drooping

2. Overwatering

Closely related to underwatering is overwatering. In fact, overwatering is a much bigger issue than underwatering because it is rampant and dangerous.

A typical cactus plant prefers airy and fast-draining soil. Generally, your potting mix must not be kept wet or waterlogged for too long because it can cause irreversible damage.

That is especially true during the winter season when temperatures fall to below freezing point. During this time, you should only water your cactus lightly and when it is absolutely necessary.  A good rule of thumb is watering once every five or six weeks.

Before you water your plant, always ensure that the potting mix is completely dry. You can check for soil dryness by sticking your finger into the container. If it feels wet, don’t water. You can also use a moisture meter to be 100% sure that you aren’t watering at the wrong time.

Overwatering causes root rot, which can result in drooping. Desert cacti are highly prone to root rot compared to jungle cacti. An overwatered plant will become soft, mushy, and may become brighter in color.

3. Pest infestation (Mealybug)

Sometimes, your cactus may start falling over due to pest infestation. If your plant looks weak, damaged, or has visible spots on its surface, it could be a sign of mealybug infestation.

These insects usually attack cacti plants and start sucking juice from the stem, leaving behind blemishes. If you don’t deal with these pests promptly, they can spread to every part of the plant, making it difficult to salvage the situation.

The good news is that you can easily kill mealybugs by hand. Alternatively, consider rinsing the plant with insecticidal soap or a concentrated solution of liquid dish soap and clean water. After rinsing the plant in the soap solution, let it sit for at least one day before rinsing it with clean water.

Avoid exposing the cactus to direct sunlight during this period to prevent sunburn. Remember that it may take several attempts to get rid of all the mealybugs because newly hatched bugs may not be killed with the first attempt.

4. Your Cactus is potted in a container that is too big

Another reason why your cactus may be falling over is that it could be potted in a container that is too big for it. These succulents don’t like being potted in large containers even if they have overgrown their current pots.

Choosing the right size container can play a critical role in ensuring that your plant is happy and healthy. Ideally, you want a container that will only allow a small amount of space from both sides. You also need to allow one or two inches on the bottom to provide roots with sufficient space to grow.

Monitor your plant’s progress closely and only repot when it is clear that it has outgrown its current container. A good rule of thumb is to repot once every two or three years.

However, if you are using tap water to keep your plant hydrated, consider repotting once every year because tap water is hard water and contains a lot of minerals that tend to accumulate in the potting mix pretty fast.  High quantities of these minerals can damage your plant and its roots.

When roots start sticking out of the container’s drainage holes, it is a sign that it is time to repot. Repotting must be done just before the growing season and avoid repotting your cactus when it is flowering.

5. Freeze damage

Most cacti species are native to deserts and other dry areas. This means that these plants are not accustomed to growing in cold climates that experience extremely low temperatures. Therefore, if temperatures drop to below freezing point even for a few hours, cacti plants can easily suffer freeze damage.

Exposed parts of the plant will start developing black spots, and within a few days or weeks, the black areas will dry out and start to droop.  If the freezing occurred only for a few hours, then the damage is most likely cosmetic, and your plant will eventually grow out of it.

Exposure to adequate sunlight, warmth, and proper watering will help your plant to overcome the problem quite easily. If your plants are growing outdoors, transfer them to spots that receive plenty of radiated heat at night, such as close to a wall.

If temperatures continue to drop, be sure to cover your cacti plants with a cotton sheet to provide additional warmth and protect them from frost damage. If they are potted, consider moving them indoors.

6. Lack of sufficient sunlight

Most cacti species require a lot of sunlight to thrive. Some cacti plants can even tolerate full sunlight without an issue. Just like other plants, these succulents require sunlight to photosynthesize.

Without sufficient sunlight, they won’t manufacture enough food leading to a significant imbalance in the metabolic process. Over time, the plant becomes weak and droopy because it lacks sufficient nutrients to sustain its metabolic process.

Each cactus plant has its own light requirements. Ensure you understand the light requirements of your plant and stick to the recommendations.

Generally, epiphytic cacti require more shade compared to desert cacti. Therefore, if you are growing such cacti indoors, consider positioning them on south-west and south-east facing windowsills. If you place them on a north-facing windowsill, you will need to provide more shade to avoid sunburn.

Significant differences in light and temperature can also cause your cactus to fall over. For instance, if the temperature inside your house is too high, but there is no light, your plant may start stretching out in search of light. Some of its parts may start falling over in the process.

This is the primary reason why you must always be careful with sudden temperature drops. For example, if you are taking your plants out after winter, you must be cautious with how you introduce them to the outside temperature. Make sure the process is slow and gradual to avoid problems.

Also, you should avoid watering your plant with cold water. Gardening experts say that you stand a good chance of achieving better results if you use lukewarm water.

Final Thought

Drooping is a relatively common problem that affects cacti plants. While there is no specific cause of the issue, a close inspection of your succulent can help you determine why it is falling over. 

Take time to assess how you have been treating your plant and you will find the answer. The secret to dealing with this problem is identifying the cause as early as possible and dealing with it before it gets out of hand.

There is no doubt cacti plants are pretty and vibrant, but they can also be picky. Unlike your average houseplant, cacti are quite selective with soil, which is one of the reasons why they are so special.  Whether you are a pro gardener or the new kid on the block, consider making your own cactus soil because it is cheaper than buying a commercial one and it is also super easy.

So, how do you make your own cactus soil? To make your own cactus soil, you will need a few ingredients: regular garden soil, perlite/pumice, coarse sand, gravel/lava rocks, and peat. You can purchase these ingredients at any home improvement store near you. Once you have the ingredients, measure and mix them appropriately.

For general cacti soil, you need to mix three cups of sand with three cups of regular soil and two cups of perlite or pumice. Combining the right amounts of ingredients is paramount to achieving desired compactness, aeration, and drainage.

In this post, we will take you through a step-by-step analysis of how to make your own cactus soil and how to achieve the best results. Read on to find out everything you need to know.

What Type of Soil Do Cacti Plants Need?

Before we dive into our DIY cacti soil recipe, you need to understand the type of soil ideal for these succulents.

Most cacti plants have thick, fleshy stems that are adapted to storing water. In other words, these plants are adapted to growing in hot and dry conditions. The plants are native to desert regions of North and South America, parts of Europe and parts of Africa.

Their unique ability to store water for prolonged times is one of their coveted adaptations to surviving in deserts. Since it rarely rains in deserts, these plants store water in their stems for use during the prolonged dry season.

Therefore, for cacti plants, their roots don’t absorb water regularly, which is backed up by the type of soil found in deserts. The soil is mostly sandy, and the dry conditions help water to drain quickly whenever it rains. These plants don’t sit on water for prolonged periods.

In a nutshell, cactus soil must be well-draining, non- compact and must have proper aeration. There is no alternative to this requirement. Keep in mind that cacti plants don’t love damp soil because it can lead to root rot, fungal diseases, and a host of other pests.

In fact, the biggest threat to cacti survival is root rot because it attacks the main channel for water absorption and can easily spread to the stem where water is stored. This leads to a weak and shriveled plant whose fate is almost sealed- death.

Therefore, if you are making your own cactus soil, you need to make sure you end up with good soil that will drain pretty quickly. Typically, loose and grainy soil is the perfect choice for growing cacti plants.

You should also ensure your soil has good aeration and is non-compact. The roots need to have sufficient space for breathing because it makes it easier for water and nutrient absorption. Non-compact soil doesn’t hold moisture for too long and aid the roots in breathing.

Lastly, avoid adding excessive nutrients to your cactus soil. Typically, cactus soil containing too many nutrients, especially nitrogen, may lead to brittle, lean, and unpleasant plants.  We are pretty sure you don’t want such kind of goofy-looking plants near your home.

Soil texture is critical for cacti plants

Different types of cacti plants require different types of soil to thrive. Although the soil might be similar, there will be differences in soil mixes for epiphytic, desert, and lithophytic cacti.

Apart from the specific soil ingredients we mentioned in our introduction, cacti plants require a specific soil texture and composition. It is critical to ensure your cactus soil remains loose and airy even when watering.

Avoid adding manure to your cactus soil because it can lead to the growth of fungus that cactus roots can’t fight. You should also avoid using any organic fertilizers for cacti except for epiphytic plants.

Maintain proper pH Levels in your cactus soil

Almost all types of cacti require slightly acidic soil to thrive, although some plants require higher acidity potting mix than others. Generally, you need to make sure the pH level of your cactus soil ranges between five and six.

The only exception is for button cacti that tend to do well in much more alkaline soil with pH levels of 6.5-7.

Potting mix with pH levels of less than four or higher than seven will kill your plant. This type of soil is not ideal for the survival of your cactus plant.  If you prepare your soil and realize that the pH is still too high, you can lower it by adding peat.

To determine the pH of your cactus soil, use a well-calibrated meter that measures moisture, light, and pH levels.

Benefits of Making Your Own Cactus Soil

Some of the most significant benefits of preparing your own cactus soil are that it is relatively cheaper than commercial soil, and you can control the ingredients.  Since you are in charge of everything, you can modify your soil recipe in different ways to get the perfect result that your plant will love.

Before we start, here is a list of our favorite and recommended soil mix (Here)

How To Make Your Own Cactus Soil- Ingredients

To make your own cactus soil, you will need a few ingredients discussed below. You can purchase most of these ingredients from your local plant or home improvement store.

1. Regular potting soil

Any type of regular potting soil will work fine as the base to prepare your own cactus mix. Feel free to use whatever you have at hand as long as it is fresh and sterile potting soil.

If you can get light, porous soil to use as the base, it will be great because that will make your work pretty easy. Avoid using heavy garden soils or potting soils that contain vermiculite or any other moisture control elements that helps the soil retain moisture for prolonged periods.

Keep in mind that your cacti plants require well-draining soil, not one that retains moisture for too long.  Therefore, you need to be careful when choosing a type of potting soil as the base because it will determine the outcome. 

2. Coarse sand

Cacti plants thrive in a porous sandy potting mix. So, adding some coarse sand to your regular potting soil is critical. Feel free to use any type of sand but ensure you achieve good drainage at the end. Consider purchasing coarse sand other than the fine stuff you might come across in your compound.

Don’t use sand from your garden, beach, or a traditional sandbox. That type of sand is not good enough, and it won’t help you achieve better results.

If you prefer, you can use poultry grit or turface instead of sand. Either of those serves as an excellent alternative to coarse sand in this recipe.

3. Perlite/pumice

Perlite is a lightweight organic soil addition. It is the white pieces that resemble Styrofoam that you see in commercial potting soils. The primary purpose of perlite is to prevent soil compaction and enhance the aeration. It also improves the drainage of your cactus soil.

In other words, perlite helps your soil drain faster, which is precisely what you are looking for in good soil. You can purchase perlite and pumice at your local plant/home improvement store. It is usually in the same section as commercial potting mix for sale.

If you cannot find it in your local home improvement store, buy it online.

4. Peat

You need to ensure your soil has the right pH level. Sometimes, you may prepare your cactus soil and discover that the pH level is pretty high. To lower the pH level, add a small portion of peat to your recipe. However, you should keep in mind that this component can make it difficult to re-wet the soil.

5. Gravel/lava rocks

Gravel and lava rocks are another decent addition to your cactus soil recipe. They are coarse and will help make the potting mix loose and airy.

6. Charcoal & coir

Charcoal is one of the best air conditioners you can use in your DIY cactus soil recipe. It helps prevent diseases by absorbing impurities and ensuring the harmful microorganisms don’t attack the roots of your plants.

Coir helps to retain small amounts of moisture in the soil and also provides a non-compact structure. Some people use coir to replace peat moss.

Apart from the ingredients, you will also need other supplies to make your own potting soil. They include:

• Measuring container/cup.
• A container for mixing (you can use a bucket or tabletop potting tray for this purpose).
• Trowel (a small shovel).
• Gardening gloves.

Let Us Get Started Making Our Own Cactus Soil

Now that you understand the basics of what is needed to make your own cactus soil, it is time to get down to business. You need the following to make your own cactus soil using this recipe:

• 3 parts regular potting soil
• 3 parts coarse sand/ turface/ poultry grit/gravel
• 2 parts perlite/pumice

In this recipe, the term “part” refers to a generic unit of measure that describes your potting mix ratio. Feel free to use any type of container to measure your ingredients as long as you use the same type of measure for each “part.”

For instance, if you use a scoop measure for “one part,” then be sure to use the same scoop twice for “two parts” and three times for “three parts.”  So, if you are using a cup as a unit of measure, this recipe would convert to 3 cups regular potting soil, 3 cups coarse sand/ turface, and 2 cups perlite/pumice.

Mixing your cactus soil

Once you have measured the ingredients as required, you need to move on to the next stage of cactus soil preparation; mixing. So, put on your gardening gloves and let us get started.

Start by moistening the regular garden soil to prevent dust from coming out of the bucket or mixing container.  The next thing you need to do is add sand to the regular garden soil and mix the two thoroughly.

Use hands to stir and mix the two ingredients to achieve better results. Mix for at least seven minutes.

Now scoop the already measured perlite or pumice and add it to the mixture. Stir and mix thoroughly the same way you did after adding sand. Mix for at least five minutes.

At this point, you have good cactus soil, but you need to measure its pH level. So, take a small sample of it and head to the pH measuring meter.

If the pH is below or beyond the recommended values, consider adding a small amount of peat to the mixture, stir thoroughly, and take another reading. Repeat the process until you achieve the desired pH level.

Good work! You have just prepared your first cactus soil. From the procedure described above, you must have realized how easy it is to prepare cactus soil. It is just a matter of understanding the right types of ingredients to use and getting the measurements right.

As long as you use the right ingredients and stick to the correct measurements, you can always make your own cactus soil that you can use for potting, propagating, repotting, or even store it for future use.  You need to keep in mind that you need to leave the soil to dry out before you pot your plants.

Sterilizing the Cactus Soil before Use

Making your own cactus soil is a good idea, but you need to ensure you are not exposing your plants to bacterial or microorganism growth in the process.

Cacti plants are quite sensitive to microorganisms and bacterial growth in the potting mix. You need to be even more careful when you use ingredients from outdoors or have purchased them from a local home improvement store.

If the potting mix is contaminated, it can cause severe infections that can lead to the death of your plant. To avoid such scenarios, make sure you sterilize the soil before using it. One of the best ways of sterilizing cactus soil is by heating.

To do this, place the soil in a pot or glass container, then put it in another larger pot with hot water and keep it on slow cooking mode. This method is commonly referred to as the bain-marie sterilization method.

Keep heating the water inside the larger pot until it reaches the boiling point. This can take anything between 20-30 minutes, depending on the volume of water in the container. Once it has reached the boiling point, turn the heat off and leave the soil to cool down gradually.

Bonus Tip: Leave your newly prepared cactus soil outside for a few days before potting your cacti plants.

Storing Your Leftover Cactus Soil

One of the best things you will love about making your own cactus soil is that you can always mix a big batch and store the excess for future use. Fortunately, storing cactus soil isn’t a difficult thing to accomplish.

You can store your DIY cactus soil on a shelf in your garage, basement, or garden shed. This gives you a good option of preparing your cactus soil ahead of time and storing it for future use.

Just make sure you store your potting mix in an air-tight container to keep pesky bugs out. If you don’t have an air-tight container to use, ensure you purchase one from the nearest general store. A transparent plastic container is the best option because it allows you to monitor the soil’s general condition 24/7. 

How Do I Know If I Need Different Soil?

Sometimes, the cactus soil you make may not be ideal for your plant. Keep in mind different types of cacti species thrive in different types of soil. Therefore, it is critical to understand your plant’s natural habitat and soil type before you start preparing your soil.

If you notice a decline in your plant’s health after potting it in your DIY soil, it could be a sign of problems. Unfortunately, by the time you start noticing signs of stress in your cactus, it could be too late.

The only way to avoid this is to ensure you have the right type of soil. For desert species, use a blend of fine sand, grit, perlite, and regular garden soil. However, if you have the tropical cacti species, add plenty of peat to your soil.

Final Thought

Making your own cactus soil can save you a lot of money and time. In fact, homemade soil is much better than a commercial potting mix because you can control the amount of ingredients you use. The process is also easy to follow.

Now that you know how to make your own cactus soil, it is time to go out there and enjoy gardening! If you are looking for the easy way, here is a list of our favorite and recommended soil mix (Here)