Growing Tips

Gardeners must always find a way of propagating new cacti plants to minimize the cost of acquiring new plants. In the wilderness, propagation from seeds is the most common way these succulents use to multiply, but that doesn’t mean it is the only way. As natural habitats of cacti and other succulents decline, the need to propagate and maintain these species through home gardening is more crucial.

So, the big question is, can you grow a cactus from cutting? The simpler answer is “yes.” In fact, propagating a cactus from a cutting is one of the easiest and cheapest ways of growing new cacti from existing cacti. A significant number of cacti species can be propagated by small cuttings taken from the stem of an existing plant, which are then allowed to dry out and be callous.

It doesn’t take long before the cuttings eventually start rooting from the cut end and growing into a new plant.

In this post, we discuss everything you need to know about propagating cactus from a cutting. Keep reading to discover how to expand your cactus collection easily.

Propagating Cacti from a Stem Cutting

Let us take a look at the process of propagating a new cactus from an existing plant. To complete this process, you will need the following materials:

• A healthy cactus
• Heavy-duty gloves
• Well-draining soil
• A pot/container
• A clean, sharp knife
• Rooting powder (optional)
• Tongs or cactus pliers (optional)

Once you have all the mentioned requirements, proceed with the steps outlined below:

Obtaining a stem cutting

You will be taking a healthy cutting from the top of your cactus plant. If your cactus has pads, make sure you choose one that is mature enough- even if a few smaller pads have started growing on top of it.

Using a young pad is quite dangerous because it may fail to root successfully. For columnar cacti, be sure to select a thin stem that will root much faster than a chunky one.

On columnar cacti, carefully cut off the stem at least a few inches from the top. Make the cut clean and straight and be careful not to crush the rest of the stem. If you are dealing with pads, then you can easily snap off one by hand.

Before you begin obtaining cuttings from your existing plant, make sure you disinfect your knife thoroughly. Keep in mind that there may be open wounds on your cactus that can easily contract bacteria leading to other issues. Also, wear gloves to avoid coming into direct contact with the spines.

For extra protection, consider holding the cactus cuttings with tongs or a pair of cactus pliers instead of your hands.

Rooting your cactus cuttings

So, you now have your cuttings, what do you do next?  Set the cutting aside for a few days to allow the cut end to dry up. Make sure the cutting is stored in a safe place away from sunlight and soil. Once the wound has healed, it will form a callous, which is an indicator that the cutting is ready for potting.

Sometimes, you may be forced to use a little sulfur on the cut end to speed up drying and protect the cutting from bacterial infection. The sulfur may turn a few colors, but that should worry you at all. Just check after a few days to see if the end is dry.

Once the cut end has formed callous, you are ready to jump on to rooting.

Fill your new pot with a moist potting mix and level the soil. Carefully stick your cutting into the potting mix with the cut side down. Be careful while sticking it into the container to avoid opening up the dried wound.

If it can’t stand on its own, simply lay it on top of the soil. If you have rooting hormone powder, make sure you dip your cutting into it right before planting.

Use the right type of soil

The type of soil plays a critical role in establishing whether the cutting grows into a new plant or not. Therefore, you need to ensure you are using the right type of soil.

Go for a porous potting mix that is well-draining. Typically, almost all cacti plants require soil that drains much quicker than your average houseplant soil. If the soil holds water for too long, it may cause severe rotting of your cutting at the base.

Consider adding gravel, sand, or perlite to your soil to improve its drainage.  If the soil is already moist, do not water the cutting after planting. If you are not sure of anything, feel free to ask your local nursery center for basic cactus soil mix, and you are good to go.

Watering a Newly Planted Cactus Cutting

While the roots are developing, your newly planted cutting will mainly be relying on stored nutrients and water. Therefore, you need to keep the soil continually moist to supplement the supply and encourage deep root growth.

Consistent watering may also play a critical role in yielding great results.  Light water the soil every few days to keep it moist. However, be careful not to soak the soil with water since it may lead to rot issues. Just keep it damp.

The root-growing speed will largely depend on the type of cactus, size of cutting, and watering frequency. In most cases, small cuttings grow roots faster than large cuttings. Your cactus cutting can take anything from a couple of days to one month or even more to develop roots.

Once the roots have settled fully into the soil, switch to a typical cactus watering regime. Always make sure the soil dries out completely between watering sessions.

At this point, start introducing your young cactus to more sunlight gradually. Keep in mind that even though the roots are growing, you won’t see any significant stem growth for at least one year.

Can You Root a Cactus in Water?

To answer this question efficiently, you need to understand the type of cactus you are dealing with. Typically, there are two broad types of cacti; desert cacti and jungle cacti. 

A desert cactus only thrives in arid areas and is extremely drought-resistant, while jungle desert grows in tropical regions that receive plenty of rainfall. A good example of a jungle cactus is the Christmas cactus.

Although you cannot root a desert cactus in water, jungle cacti (specifically the Christmas cactus) can be rooted in water. If you prefer taking this root, you will need to do everything right to achieve better results.

Start with obtaining between one and four cuttings from a healthy Christmas cactus. Make sure each cutting is approximately four inches long, with a minimum of three leaves on each.

From there, take an empty glass jar and fill the bottom with pebbles/stones to about two inches deep. Carefully add water such that it rises above the stones/pebbles.

Carefully place your Christmas cactus cuttings in the glass jar containing water and make sure the bottom of each cutting touches the water. The majority part of the cutting should be in the glass jar but above the water level.

The humidity in the glass jar will help your cuttings to root without rotting. Always keep a close eye on the water level so that it doesn’t evaporate. Add more water to the glass jar every time you notice a significant drop.

Also, consider using rainwater or distilled water for better results. If you must use tap water, let it sit for at least 48 hours so that the chemicals and salts can evaporate.

Tap water contains significant amounts of fluoride, which is harmful to young cuttings since it travels through the plant and settles on the leaves. This makes the leaves turn brown, which can spread to the rest of the plant quickly if you continue feeding it with fluoridated water.

Can You Replant a Broken Cactus Part?

Yes. Just like the cuttings, you can also replant a broken part. However, you will need to inspect it carefully to determine if it is mature.

Once you are satisfied that the broken part is mature enough for propagation, carefully check the broken end of the cactus. If it is uneven or crooked, make a fresh cut to even it out.

From there, set the piece aside for a few days to allow the cut end to heal and callous over. Remember the fact that the cut end must be dry and sealed over before you root it.

The amount of time it takes for the cut end to dry and callous will depend on the thickness of the cut and amount of humidity in the air.

After it has dried and calloused over, follow the steps outlined above to root it.

Should I Fertilize a Newly Propagated Cactus Cutting?

Yes. Applying small amounts of succulent fertilizer is essential for a newly propagated cactus to maintain its health and grow rapidly.

However, be careful not to feed the young plant too much fertilizer since it may cause significant damage. Also, avoid using chemical-based fertilizers since they may contain too many salts that can burn the young cactus plant.

You should only fertilize the cutting once it has grown roots. From there, apply fertilizer twice every month but reduce the amount with time as the cactus grows. If you are unsure of anything, consult your local nursery center for basic fertilizer guidelines specific to cacti plants.

It is also essential to ensure that the other conditions for your newly propagated cactus are optimal, such as the right soil mixture and watering frequency. Pay attention to these aspects, and you will have a healthy cactus in no time.

Is Propagation from Cuttings Same as Grafting?

Many people confuse propagation from cuttings with grafting. The two techniques are entirely different and should never be confused.

Grafting is the process of attaching a part of one plant onto another to form a new plant. When done correctly, the two plants can grow side by side as one unit. This method is mainly used when it’s practically impossible to propagate from cuttings.

Propagation from cuttings, on the other hand, is a much simpler and straightforward process. As explained above, it only involves creating small cactus cuttings and rooting them in soil or water. The new plant produced will be genetically similar to the original parent plant.

Grafting is generally more complicated and requires more expertise. It is mainly used when a certain plant species or variety cannot be propagated from cuttings. Therefore, it is best to try the propagation from cuttings method before trying your hands on grafting.

If things fail, you can consider grafting as an alternative technique. However, propagating cuttings is the best way to go if you want to clone your favorite cactus plant and have more of them without breaking the bank.

Final Thought

Cactus plants are relatively easy to propagate from cuttings. In most cases, you will get faster and more predictable results if you decide to propagate a cactus from cuttings than you would from planting seeds.

While it is more common to propagate cacti from cuttings indoors, you can also do it outdoors and expand your home garden. 

Bringing a new cactus home is enough to excite any home gardener, but when it begins to die without an apparent reason, it can be a frustrating process. Luckily, there are ways to get to the bottom of your cactus woes and address the issue to get its health back on track.

So why is your cactus dying? Cacti are generally resilient plants, so a dying cactus mainly stems from improper care or harsh environments. The three possible reasons that your cactus is dying include:

• You are overwatering (or underwatering) your cactus.
• Your cactus is not getting its recommended daily sunlight.
• The soil drainage for your cactus is inadequate.

In this article, we’ll be discussing a few reasons why your cactus may be dying, along with providing you with some proper care tips to help you better maintain your cactus plants.

Why Your Cactus May Be Dying

The following three reasons are the most common bad habits that new cactus owners make that result in a dying cactus:

1.   You Are Overwatering (or Underwatering) Your Cactus

Cacti are very specific about how much water they receive, and on average, less is more when it comes to watering them. Cactus plants are prone to root rot, a condition that affects plants that are sitting in pooled water or are watered too often. This causes the cactus to rot from the roots, killing the plant slowly (but surely). If you’re watering your cactus daily, or even weekly, this could be the reason why it’s dying.

On the contrary, you could also not be watering your cactus enough. If half a year has gone by before you think of watering your cactus, and it doesn’t have access to rain, that’s probably the issue. Though cacti don’t need as much water as most other plants, they still need some access to water to thrive.

If you’re a “plant and forget” type gardener, be sure that you have planted your cactus in an area that receives rainfall. Leaving the watering up to nature’s natural cycle is usually plenty for a cactus anyway.

2.   Your Cactus is not Getting Its Daily Recommended Sunlight

Cacti are desert plants. Because they’re native to desert landscapes, they’re naturally exposed to heaps of sunlight. Not allowing your cactus to get enough sun can result in:

• drooping or shriveled stems
• scraggly hairs
• dull coloring
• little to no flowering or fruiting during the season

Likewise, placing your cactus in an area that receives too much sun at high temperatures can result in:

• sunburn
• blackened or browned ends of the stems
• a dried or dull appearance

3.   The Soil Drainage for Your Cactus is Inadequate

Though it’s essential to water your cactus whenever it needs it, it’s just as crucial to ensure that your cactus is planted in a soil that drains well. A cactus should never be left to sit in water and requires a preferably sandy or slightly gravelly soil. If you have your cactus planted in a pot without a drainage hole or in soil that absorbs too much water, this may be what’s killing your plant.

Another problem to consider is the fertility of your cactus’ soil. Even if you have it planted in cactus-perfect dirt, it could be lacking the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and green. To combat any lack of nutrients in the soil, you should fertilize your cacti, though infrequently.

Additional Reasons for a Dying Cactus

You may be watering your cacti only when necessary, giving it adequate sunlight and proper soil and yet still have an issue with dying cacti. Here are a few additional reasons for a dying cactus that may have slipped your mind:

• You’re not covering it in the winter. Some cacti don’t tolerate winter conditions and temperatures as well as other species and will need to be covered in burlap or in a flower house to prevent frostbite.
• You’re watering your cactus in the winter. Cacti should not be watered in the winter, as this could result in them freezing internally. During the warmer months, cacti will store the necessary amounts of water needed to last through their dormant season.

Though there are cacti that can survive frigid temperatures, your average garden cactus likely will not (or will receive some damage in the process). Covering them and refraining from watering them whenever the temperature drops will help them to endure the colder months better.

How to Properly Care for a Cactus

Now that you’ve found out the possible culprits behind your dying cactus, it’s time to take a look at how to care for your plant to keep it looking its best.

Watering

Cacti are incredibly hardy plants and will store water in their cells to prepare for drought or their dormant season (the winter). In most areas throughout the United States, rainfall is enough to keep an outdoor cactus adequately moist and healthy.

However, if you’re experiencing a particularly rough drought or your cactus is indoors, it’s recommended that you water your cactus once a month. If the soil still looks moist when the next watering cycle comes around, wait another week before watering.

Watering in the winter is something that shouldn’t be done unless you’re in an area where winters don’t drop below the mid-60s degrees Fahrenheit. If your winters are practically none, you should still water your cactus less than you would during the warmer months — only about once or twice during the winter, depending on the temperatures.

How to Water Cacti

Though there are a few jungle varieties of cacti, in general, cacti are desert plants. Rather than receiving their water from spritzes of humidity or constant rainfall, a cactus’s roots deeply penetrate the soil to reach the remaining water from the last rainfall and stores as much as possible until the next rain shower.

Because cacti aren’t native to areas with high humidity, watering your cactus with a fine mist or by pouring water directly on its stem will dull the appearance of your cacti, and eventually, lead to surface rot. Instead, you should either apply water directly to the soil (taking care not to water the base of the plant directly) or set your potted cactus in a saucer of water so that its roots can reach and water themselves. Be sure to take the cactus out of the saucer once the soil is dampened.

When watering the soil directly, you should use a slow-moving stream, such as a garden hose turned on low, and water deep enough so that it begins draining from the pot.

Sunlight Requirements

Though the amount, and type, of sunlight a cactus needs varies from species to species, most cacti will need about 4 to 6 hours of sunlight per day. Remember to check the light requirements for your particular plant, as some species will need full sun, part sun, or minimal sun each day.

If your cactus isn’t receiving the proper amount of sunlight, it will begin to display signs of weakness and discolorations such as:

• Paleness or other discoloration
• Stems begin to stretch out to reach more light
• Cactus isn’t blooming or producing fruits in season
• Branches become weak or squishy
• Hairs look dull or browned

On the other hand, a cactus that receives adequate light will:

• Be a vibrant deep green
• May produce colorful flowers and fruit
• Have visually strong stems, needles, or hairs

Placing your indoor cactus in a south-facing window will ensure that it receives enough light during the day. Most cacti will not need direct sunlight and can thrive on indirect light, so just as long as the window is receiving bright, indirect light, your cactus should do well.

As for outdoor cacti, it’s best to plant them in an area that is shielded from intense, direct sunlight at the hottest hours of the day. For example, plant your cactus in an area that is shaded around noon, but receives around 6 hours of sunlight in the afternoon and evening.

The Effects of Too Much Sun

If you place your cactus in an area that receives too much sun, especially the direct sun, you risk sunburn damage to your plant. Sunburn in cactus manifests itself in brown or yellow spots on the pads of the cactus and will also lead to a dried appearance if the problem isn’t remedied.

An excellent way to combat the effects of sunburn is simply by moving your cactus to another area or by planting taller, thicker plants, such as desert shrubs, next to the cactus to block any harsh sunlight. You’ll want to act swiftly, though, because sunburn in cacti happens rapidly and will end in an unfortunate demise for your plant if nothing is done.

Soil Conditions

Because cacti were created to retain water for extended periods, they also suck any moisture up quickly and won’t need to have wet soil to stay healthy. In fact, moist soil will actually cause root rot in cacti, so it’s essential to plant your cactus in a soil that drains well to avoid any health issues.

Sandy or gravelly soil is best and is especially useful for seasons where rain is frequent or abundant. This is because well-drained soil allows any excess moisture that may be provided to your cactus to move away from the roots, protecting them from pooling and rot. You can either find a premade cactus soil online or at your local plant nursery or substitute ⅓ of your regular potting soil with sand to create the ideal soil for cacti.

The Best Soil for Cacti

Our favorite cactus potting mix is the Hoffman 10404 Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix. It’s formulated with both jungle cacti (like Christmas Cactus) and desert cacti in mind, providing the proper drainage to allow your cactus to get adequate water without puddling excess moisture at the roots.

It’s also organic, meaning that it’s a healthier formula not only for your cacti but also for the earth and your family. Lastly, it contains an abundance of nutrients to encourage growth, vibrant colors, and brilliant floral blooms in the spring and summer.

What We Like:

• Affordable, even for those that may be on a budget
• Formulated organically for a safer product
• Contains a wide variety of nutrients to keep your cacti looking its best and prolong the life of your plant
• Drains properly without stripping moisture from your cactus
• Perfect for both desert and jungle species

Fertilizing Your Cactus

There is a time and place for everything, and that includes fertilizing your cactus. Cacti should be fertilized, but infrequently (only once every 2 to 4 weeks), and only in the spring when the plant is growing and preparing for the upcoming months of dormancy.

Fertilizing your cactus in the spring will help it to store essential nutrients to sustain itself whenever nutrients are scarce in the winter. You don’t want to fertilize your cactus during the harsher months of summer and winter because your plant’s primary focus during those times is to stay alive rather than grow.

The Best Plant Food for Cacti

Of course, you should always opt for a fertilizer that is formulated especially for succulents and cacti. We suggest the Miracle-Gro Succulent Plant Food for indoor cacti. It’s very affordable for all gardeners (even the budget-conscious) and works well to provide instant nutrients to your plants.

This fertilizer is a liquid and comes in an easy-to-use pump bottle. You can apply it directly to the soil or mix it with water the next time you water your cactus to give it an additional boost. It’s recommended that you use this fertilizer once every two weeks for cacti that have been relocated to a new area of your yard, repotted, or brought indoors after being purchased.

Once your cactus plant is established in its new home, you can lengthen the amount of time between fertilizing to 4 weeks or a month. Take special care not to apply this fertilizer directly to the cactus, as it will cause chemical burns on the pads.

What We Like:

• Affordable, lasting fertilizer
• Perfect for both new and established cacti
• Only needs to be applied every 2 to 4 weeks for best results
• Encourages rapid, but healthy, growth and blooms if applicable to your cactus species
• Simple, pump-action bottle
• Can be applied directly to the soil or mixed with water
• Instantly provides top-notch nutrients to the soil for the cactus’s roots to absorb

Overall, the Miracle-Gro formula for cacti is an excellent option for potted cacti or outdoor cacti that aren’t receiving the nutrients they need from the soil.

Maintaining Cacti During the Cold Months

No matter how well you care for your cactus during the spring and summer, when winter strikes, it can be a death sentence for many cacti species. Though there are cacti that can withstand temperatures sometimes as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit, the majority of cactus species on the market for home gardening can only survive down to freezing — and for very short periods.

It’s essential to take the necessary precautions before winter rolls around to prevent frostbite or potential withering of your cactus. Care (watering, light, and temperature) for your cactus also changes slightly from care during the rest of the year.

In the next few sections, you will learn how to care for your indoor and outdoor cacti in the winter.

Caring for Your Indoor Cactus

Winter is the dormant season for cacti, meaning their processes naturally slow to keep them from expending energy and nutrients during the harsh season. Indoor cacti have the advantage of not being directly exposed to outdoor elements. However, with the decrease in light and increase in the frigid temperatures, there is some improvising involved in its care.

General Tips:

• If your cactus isn’t getting 4 to 6 hours of sunlight during the winter,try using a grow light to supplement the lack of sun it’s getting.
• Keep watering your indoor cactus regularly. Watering during the winter should be as often as you do around the year (about once a month).
• The indoor temperature should be a warm, comfortable 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold spells can kill a cactus, so keep the temperature of your home consistent.
• If your cactus is by a frequently-used door to the outside, move it. Once again, cold bursts of air can potentially harm your cactus. It’s best to move it as far away from the chilly outside world as possible.
• If your cactus usually sits close to a window, move it a little farther away. Glass gets chilly, and having your cactus too close to a window can make your plant colder than it needs to be.
• When you water your cactus, use room-temperature water rather than cold water from the tap.

Caring for Your Outdoor Cactus

Because your outdoor cactus is in direct contact with the icy elements, there will be a bit more work to do on your part to keep it from too much exposure. Frigid winds can lead to frostbite in exposed cacti, and too much snow can lead to both surface and root rot once it begins to melt.

General Tips:

• Cover your cactus in burlap sacks. The burlap sacks are porous enough to allow sunlight to come through, but thick enough to keep some heat in and protect the cactus from snow, ice, and wind.
• If your winters are particularly harsh, consider a plant house. Pop up greenhouses, like this flower house, help to increase the temperature around the cactus and protect from winter elements without blocking sunlight.
• Do not water your cactus. Watering an outdoor cactus during the winter will almost certainly kill it because of the water freezing inside of the cactus. Instead, water consistently during the months leading up to winter so that your cactus has enough stored in its cells to survive.
• If your winters aren’t too bad and you have a large, potted outdoor cactus, you can move it to a covered deck to block it from the wind and snow.

The Toughest Cacti Species for Forgetful Gardeners

If your thumb just doesn’t turn green no matter how hard you try, the following hard-to-kill cactus plants may be the perfect choice for giving you a lively indoor or outdoor garden — with as little effort as possible on your part.

1.   Barrel Cactus

One of the most popular cacti species among desert gardeners, the Barrel Cactus, is hardy and cute. This Mexican desert-native can endure winters of mild frost and scorching temperatures. Their sizes can vary and can either sit low to the ground or grow as tall as 10 feet and 3 feet wide.

They do well both indoors and outdoors and can withstand direct sunlight for upwards of 6 to 8 hours. They won’t need to be watered, but once every 3 to 4 weeks if indoors and, if outdoors, rainfall will keep this beautiful cactus going with no problems whatsoever (in most North American regions). Sufficient water in the spring will result in a large yellow flower.

Barrel Cactus also won’t need any fertilization, as they naturally grow in low-fertile areas. If you want to keep it looking vibrant, you can fertilize it once a year during the spring.

2.   Prickly Pear Cactus

Found in all of the deserts of the American SouthWest, Prickly Pear has adapted to survive harsh summers, and some varieties have even adapted to withstand the cold of winters further north (as low as -35 degrees Fahrenheit!). 

These cacti are a fantastic option for an outdoor garden because they:

• Do well in full, direct sun
• Only need watering when the soil is dry and rainfall is infrequent
• Can grow several feet wide and tall over time

In the spring and summer, with enough rainfall, Prickly Pear Cactus will bloom bright yellow flowers and, later on, edible fruits.

3.   Chollas

Chollas is a SouthWest American desert native cactus that:

• is drought-resistant
• can withstand temperatures as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit
• is tolerant of full sun conditions
• has moderate watering needs and little overall care requirements

Chollas is probably one of the toughest cacti on the market and won’t need to be watered often. Too much water is the problem this cactus species faces the most, as they’re incredibly prone to root rot. Watering only whenever droughts are persistent is all that’s needed for Chollas if they’re outdoors.

While you can have chollas indoors, it is strongly advised against, as its tiny, thin, and clustered barbs are prone to sticking to anything and everything and are extremely painful to remove, digging deeper into the skin with every tug. It is recommended that you plant these tall-growing plants away from your home or at the rear of a desert garden.

4.   Saguaro Cactus

One of the longest-living cactus species in the world, the Saguaro Cactus, is said to live as long (or longer) than people do. Some are even as old as an estimated 200 years! This cactus is as tough as they come and can withstand drought and hours of direct, hot sunlight.

Rainfall is more than enough to keep this cactus thriving, as it has such a large capacity for water storage — enough to allow it to bloom creamy white flowers every year, regardless of the amount of rainfall during the rainy season.

Though slow-growing, these cacti have the potential of reaching 30 feet in height and several feet in diameter, so it’s best to plant them outdoors in an area that is well-drained and receives a lot of light.

5.   Pencil Plant

Native to African deserts, the Pencil Plant is no stranger to high heat and harsh conditions. When water is plenty, they’re green in color, but when lacking water, turn a bright coral color. It’s not at all uncommon for gardeners to purposefully restrict water from their Pencil Plants to achieve these brilliant colors, and this cactus does perfectly well without the abundance.

Rainfall is generally enough for this cactus. However, you can water it once a month if the summers are too hot. Plant in an area that receives partial to full sun.

Final Thoughts

When a cactus begins dying, it comes down to basic care. Cacti are such resilient plants that it’s practically impossible to kill them unless you’re merely caring for them too much. Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes new gardeners make with these desert plants, as root rot is an actual reality with these species. Take care to provide your cactus with adequate sunlight, water only when necessary, and keep it out of direct cold elements.

Some species require more care than others. If you find yourself unable to care for your cactus correctly, consider purchasing one of the previously mentioned species. Cacti like Saguaro Cactus don’t require much upkeep and can live in an arid environment for decades.

 Most of us tend to think that cacti plants don’t require water to survive. Images of these plants growing in deserts abound in media tend to reinforce this perception. However, the reality is quite different. Just like any other living thing, cacti plants require plenty of water to thrive. When it comes to growing cacti plants at home, it is not just about watering but how you do it that matters.  Let us see how you are supposed to water cacti from the bottom.

So, how do you water cactus from the bottom? The method involves immersing your potted plant in a sink or water pan. The drainage holes in your pot allow the potting mix to absorb water over some time (usually five to ten minutes) without over-saturating it. After that, you let the excess water drain out before taking your plant back to its resting place.

The most important thing you need to know about the bottom watering method is that your pot must contain sufficient drainage holes.

In this post, we discuss everything you need to know about bottom watering. How to do it right, its effect on your cactus, and much more. Read on to discover more.

What Is Bottom Watering?

In simple terms, bottom watering refers to watering your cactus plant from the bottom up. When you water potted cactus using this technique, its roots get stronger because they are always growing downwards towards the moisture.

Also, you will always be sure that water reaches the bottom of the container and drains out as expected. When you do it correctly, this watering method can help you achieve great success with both indoor and outdoor cacti plants.

How to Bottom Water Your Cactus Plant

When it comes to bottom watering, the key is timing. You need to know when your plant is thirsty to avoid overwatering it. The best way to accomplish this is by checking the dryness of your potting mix. Keep in mind that good potting soil should be fast-draining.

To check if the soil is completely dry, carefully stick your finger into the pot. Make sure your finger penetrates at least two inches deep. If the soil feels damp, wet, or colder than the surface, then you shouldn’t water your plant. Give it a few more days.

You can also use a moisture meter to check the moisture level before watering. Once you are fully satisfied that the soil is dry and your cactus needs watering, follow these steps:

Step 1: Fill a container or sink with water

The first thing you need to do is fill a sink or large container with enough water that will accommodate your plant pot. If your plant pot is filled with soil and nothing else, then you are good with any water level.

However, if you have got pebbles or drainage rocks at the bottom of the container, the level of water in your sink or container needs to be a little higher than the rocks/pebbles so that it can reach the soil.

You should also keep in mind that different types of potting mix will absorb water differently. If you are using cactus soil that has a lot of pebbles and perlite, it might take a longer period to absorb water.

But for a standard potting mix with minimal inorganic matter, you should expect the process to be faster.

No matter the type of your potting mix, make sure you have got enough water in your sink/container that will allow your cactus to soak in as much as it wants. If you don’t put enough water in your container/sink, you will simply underwater your plant.

Step 2:  carefully immerse your pot in the water

Carefully immerse your plant pot into the sink or container containing water. If you are still using a grow pot and the soil is too dry, the pot may start floating. If this happens, you’re your pot upright for a few minutes before you leave it alone.

If you don’t take necessary precautions, the plant may tip over and cause a mess that you will have to clear.

Step 3: Leave the plant to rest in the water

Don’t be so quick to take the cactus plant out of water. Leave it to rest in the bath for approximately ten minutes before you check on the progress. You will know that it is time to take it out when the soil is sufficiently moist to the top.

Sometimes, the very top of the potting mix may fail to get wet, which is okay. If that is the case, let your plant rest in the water for about ten minutes, take it off, and water the dry tip manually.

Step 4: Drain out your sink/container

After ten minutes, drain out the sink or container that was holding the water and let your plant stand out for a few minutes to drain fully.

Bonus tip: Use distilled or filtered water to bottom water your cactus. Avoid using tap water because it contains too much chlorine, which might damage your plant in the long run. You should also keep in mind that bottom-up watering works best on small to medium-sized cacti plants that are easy to move.

Why Do Experts Recommend Bottom Watering?

Well, the truth is that top watering never saturates your potting mix. Technically, it means that water is not reaching the roots of your plant.

With top watering, small amounts of water trickle down to the soil and start dripping to the bottom. This gives you a false impression that you have watered your plant adequately. 

In reality, you are underwatering and leaving your plant feeling thirsty most of the time. Cacti plants need complete soaking to absorb as much water as possible. The difference should be in how frequently you water your plant, not how thoroughly you do it.

Bottom watering ensures the entire root system is getting sufficient water. This watering technique also saves you a lot of water and time in the long run.

Instead of dripping each plant individually, you can keep putting more plants into the same sink/ container of water until the water is used up.

In a nutshell, bottom watering keeps your cactus healthier, and it is easy to use. 

How Often Should You Water Your Cactus?

Now that you know how to water your cactus using the bottom watering technique, you might be wondering how often you should do it. Cacti plants are hardy and may not need frequent watering compared to other plants. Nonetheless, you need to make sure you aren’t underwatering.

Specific signs in the leaves and stem of the plant could indicate that the plant is becoming stressed and needs watering. Recognizing these signs and acting promptly can help you take good care of your plant.

Some of the factors that influence the timing of watering include; are your plants grown in the ground or containers? How much light are they exposed to? What is the air temperature, humidity, and soil type where they are growing?

Keeping everything constant, one thing you must keep in mind while watering a cactus is its inability to survive in standing water. This is the primary reason why you must ensure your potting mix is fast draining.

As long as the soil is porous enough, occasional overwatering may not be a big issue since the excess water can easily drain away quickly. Heavy and compact soils that capture and retain water for a long time may cause root rot.

Generally, you need to water your plants more frequently in warmer seasons than colder seasons. During summer, your plant requires frequent watering to fuel growth. At this time, you should consider watering your plant once or twice a week.

However, things change during the colder seasons. In winter, most cacti species enter into a state of dormancy. No growth occurs at this time. Therefore, you need to be cautious with watering to avoid causing problems. Generally, water your plant once every three or four weeks during the colder season.

More Tips for Success

Here are a few more tips to help you utilize bottom watering effectively:

1. Watch the time, carefully

While this method is good in making your plant stronger and healthier, you should also keep in mind that it is easy to overwater it.

If you leave the plant to sit in the pool of water for too long, the effects can be devastating. Overwatering can result in death. Always keep an eye on your plant and find the perfect time to let it sit in the water, based on the size of your pot and soil type.

2. Add nutrients to the water

If you are giving your plant more food, bottom watering is an incredible way to do that. Just add the food/fertilizer to your water, and you are good to go.

 3. Do not overcrowd the pool

Be careful not to overcrowd the sink with plant pots. The best approach is to water one plant at a time.

Technically, the number of plants you have got in the sink will change the amount of water you require. Be extra careful with young plants that can break easily.

Final Thought

That is it about bottom watering. Just remember to be sensible when watering your cactus and find out what works best for you. If you haven’t tried the bottom watering technique, be sure to try it out and let us know the outcome.

For many people, how cacti can survive in arid regions with limited water is still a mystery; it seems like they only need the bare minimum. However, just like any other plant, a cactus still needs the basics to thrive, like water and sunlight.

What do cactus need to survive? To survive in any environment, a cactus needs the following:

• Sunlight
• Air
• Water
• Drainage
• Nutrients

Because cacti are hardier than most other plants, they do not require a lot to survive. However, there is a unique way you must care for it. The remainder of this article will discuss how sunlight, air, water, drainage, and nutrients work together to help a cactus thrive, and how you can provide your plant with these essential needs.

5 Things Cacti Need to Survive

There’s a common misconception that cacti can continue to thrive even when neglected, but this is certainly not the case. To survive, a cactus will need the following five essentials:

1.   Light

We all learned in science class that all plants require light for photosynthesis. No matter what type of plant it is and how much light they actually need, there must be light. Cacti are no different. In fact, a cactus’ natural habitat is full of sunlight, so they generally love it.

When it comes to how much light a cactus needs, the amount may differ across various species, but most cactus can survive under strong, direct sunlight.

However, there is such a thing as too much light. If a cactus is exposed to high-intensity light for too long, it can become sunburned. It is recommended that you provide your cactus protection from intense light to avoid this issue, especially if you are trying to acclimate it to a new environment.

On the other end of the spectrum, if you don’t provide sufficient sunlight to your cactus, it will grow tall and thin, and in search of the light it needs—a process known as etiolation. In addition, the plant will not be able to flower since it does not have enough exposure to sunlight for photosynthesis.

So, where’s the happy medium? Cacti require direct sunlight, but if your cactus will be kept indoors, you will need to expose it to 12 to 14 hours of full-spectrum light. Full-spectrum light provides all the wavelengths that sunlight provides, giving your cactus the light it needs. You can use A Plus LED Grow Lights for Indoor Plants or this Fauna 100W COB Plant Grow Light Full Spectrum, which has a timer to manage the hours of light you expose to your cactus.

Here are some quick cactus lighting tips to keep in mind:

• Choose where you keep your cactus carefully. Regardless if you keep it indoors or outdoors, make sure the area it’s in receives adequate sunlight.
• If you are transplanting a cactus or transitioning it to a new area, gradually increase its exposure to light to avoid shock. 
• If your cactus is indoors, try to adjust lighting based on seasonal changes. If you bring your cactus inside during the winter, make sure you continue to provide it with the light it needs, although the amount may decrease to account for the change in season.
• Be attentive to the look of your cactus; if you notice a slight sunburn on its surface, take measures to provide light protection right away.

2.   Air

As obvious as this may seem, your cactus needs to be in an aerated space; like any other plant, it needs air to survive. You need to keep it in a well-ventilated space where it can take in carbon dioxide and output oxygen freely.

One of the reasons why cactus survive in hot and dry environments is the difference in how they breathe. To avoid losing water, a cactus keeps its stomata closed during the day and opens it at night while most plants do the opposite.

But although a cactus can help improve the air quality at night by increasing oxygen, that’s no reason to stuff it in a closet or tight, enclosed space. You need to keep your cactus in an open, aerated environment, especially at night, so that it can breathe properly.

3.   Water

One of the most common mistakes cactus owners make is underwatering; they assume that because cacti can live in hot environments, they can go for weeks without water. Not providing a cactus with enough water usually leads to it dying; even though they are tough plants, they still require regular watering to survive, just like other plants.

On the other hand, there are also cacti owners who may overwater them. The water may collect at the bottom of the pot, eventually leading to root rot. So, it is important to understand that cacti are drought-tolerant, but they prefer the minimal water life.

So, how much water does a cactus need? According to experts at the Cactus & Succulent Society of San Jose, you need to water a cactus once a week. You should make sure the soil it’s planted in is loose, and the pot has holes at the bottom so excess water can drain easily. You will need to water the cactus until the soil is saturated, and water starts coming out of the drainage holes.

Here are some cactus watering tips you can use to keep it healthy:

• Know the cactus species you’re dealing with. It’s vital to know where your cactus originates from. Some cacti thrive in extremely dry conditions with minimal water, while others need you to protect them against the sun and may need more water.
• Younger cacti need more water, but as they get older, they need less to survive.
• The growing medium you use matters, so if yours is loose and loses water fast, you’ll have to water differently than with a cactus in a medium that retains water more.
• Keep the season changes in mind. In fall, you can stick to the weekly routine. During winter, watering once a month is okay since as the temperature drops, evaporation rates reduce. During summer and spring, you can observe your plant and water as required.
• The shallower the potting container is, the higher the evaporation, so keep that in mind while working your watering cycles.
• Indoor cacti can survive up to two weeks without water, while most outdoor cacti need weekly watering schedules.
• Use soft water and rainwater when possible; hard water can destroy your cacti.
• Avoid misting the cactus since the humidity available is enough to provide it with any needed moisture.

Assess the type of environment you live in to determine the watering cycles your cactus requires accurately. Most importantly, continue to observe your cactus’ appearance so you can adjust its watering as needed.

4.   Drainage

Since cacti are drought-tolerant, they can’t survive in waterlogged soil. Therefore, it’s important to search for a pot with ample drainage—preferably with a hole or multiple holes at the bottom; how many drainage holes a pot has will usually depend on its size. *

*Note: Some indoor cactus owners may not prefer to use a pot with holes to prevent introducing dirt into their living space. In these instances, it is recommended to use a planter with drainage holes plus a tray that can hold excess water and soil that may come out of the pot.

Here are some recommended cactus planters:

• Alpspro Succulent Plant Pots
• T4U Ceramic Succulent Pot Planter
• AppyHut Square Plant Pots
• Onig Succulent Plant Pots

It’s equally important to pot the cactus with well-draining soil; this will not only help with allowing water to seep through but will also keep the cactus roots aerated.

5.   Nutrients

Cacti also need nutrients to grow and process food. Over time, a cactus may lose fertility in the soil it’s planted in; therefore, a little fertilization can go a long way in helping the cacti survive.

You will only need to fertilize your cactus during their active growing period; for most cactus, this usually takes place in the fall, summer, and spring. Cacti only require fertilization at least once per year.

The following are cactus fertilizers you can use:

• Schultz Cactus Plus Liquid Plant Food
• Grow More Cactus Juice
• EarthPods Premium Cactus & Succulent Plant Food
• Hoffman Organic Cactus & Succulent Soil Mix

Final Thoughts

Many people prefer keeping cacti as a houseplant because they are low-maintenance and easy to care for. As long as you provide it with sufficient light, air, water, drainage, and nutrients, your cactus will not only survive but also thrive.

Cacti have a reputation for their abilities to survive in incredibly dry environments like deserts. But these hardy plants are also commonly kept as houseplants. If you have some cacti of your own and want more without spending money, you might try to root your own.

Does cactus root in water? Cactus is a type of succulent that can root in either water or dirt. Some varieties of cacti will root better in dirt, but many will also root in water. By rooting your cactus in water, you can try getting more plants without buying them since you use plants you already have.

There is no guarantee that any cactus will grow in water or dirt; sometimes, the environment just is not what the plant wants. The good thing is that it is easy to at least try rooting your cactus in water, and you do have a good chance of success.

Rooting a Cactus in Water

The process of growing a new plant from a piece of the parent plant is called propagation. Although you can grow new cacti and other succulents from seeds, you can also propagate them by using part of the original (parent) plant’s stem.

Propagating your plants is not always successful, but it is a process that you can easily attempt without any major consequences. Propagation is also an easy way for you to expand your plant collection without spending more money on buying new plants. Plus, you get the satisfaction of having rooted your own plant.

You can also propagate your cactus in soil, which is more traditional. It may seem counterintuitive to place plants that do not usually like much water in a glass of water, but it does work. If you want to be able to see the process of a cactus rooting, then it is best to propagate it in water.

Some people may also find that they have no luck propagating plants in soil, or vice versa. If you are having trouble propagating your plants in dirt or just want to see if water will work too, then you can easily try to propagate your cactus in water.

Materials

To propagate your cactus in water, you only need a few things:

• Parent plant: Naturally, you will need the parent plant to propagate from.
• Scissors: You can use sharp scissors or garden shears. These will be needed to gather cuttings.
• Glass: You can use any sort of glass vessel. It does not have to be see-through, but it does add a cool element if you can see the roots.
• Water: You will need plain water.
• Plastic wrap: This is an optional material.

Step 1: Gather the Cuttings

The first thing you need to do is find where you will take cuttings from. Look at your parent plant and locate a new growth that has some stem. Carefully cut the piece off of the parent plant.

You want to have some of the stem exposed, so you may have to remove a few of the lowest leaves. If you are unsure of how your propagation will go, you may decide to gather a few cuttings from multiple cactus plants to try.

Step 2: Dry the Cuttings

Once you have the cutting, you need to leave it out for a few days. This allows the cut part of the stem to heal a bit. The cut side of the stem needs to be calloused over before you try to root it in water.

Depending on the environment, it may take closer to a week or so for the cuttings to completely dry. Just be patient and let the stem heal itself.

Step 3: Place the Cuttings in Water

Fill your vessel with water. The amount you put in will depend on how long the cutting is. You want the root of the cutting to be in water, but not any of the leaves, so fill the glass accordingly.

You have the option of covering the top of the glass with plastic wrap and poking a hole in the center to put the stem through. This adds a layer of protection between the leaves and the water.

Place the cutting in the water so that the stem is either just above or inside the water. This might take a bit of experimentation. Some people find that placing the stem slightly above the water encourages the plant to see out the moisture and root.

Step 4: Wait

Place the vessel with your cuttings in an area with lots of light. At this point, you need to have patience and let the plant root. It might take several weeks or even a month to start rooting.

Be sure to regularly check the water in the glass. You will likely need to change it and refill it. If the water starts to get murky, you should change it to prevent fungus and bacteria from forming.

Once the cactus starts rooting in the water, you can either leave it there or transport it to a pot with soil. If you decide to move the cactus to a pot, make sure that you use a soil mixture meant for succulents. You can buy bagged versions for ease or make your own mixture out of materials like pumice, perlite, and sand.

Care of a Cactus

Each species of cactus will have slight differences in their needs. Generally, cacti need to be in an area with lots of light. It does not necessarily need to be direct sunlight, but cacti do need substantial light to grow.

One of the most important aspects of caring for a cactus is the soil. If you are planting a cactus in a pot or other container, the soil must be able to drain well. It is important to note that although the soil for cacti needs to drain well, you can still root a cactus in water.

For a potted cactus, you want to make sure that you do not overwater the plant. You should only water the plant when the soil is completely dry. Depending on the environment and time of year, you may only water your cactus once a week.

You also need to make sure that the cactus is getting enough light. If you notice the cactus leaning toward a window or its color turning pale, you should try finding a different spot with more light.

Safety with Prickly Cactus Plants

Not all cacti have sharp spikes, but those that do can be quite painful if you touch them with your bare skin. Always use thick gloves or folded papers to handle these types of cactus.

If you have pets or small children around, make sure that they cannot reach prickly cacti plants. Pets will not know any better, and children may not understand why they cannot touch the cactus until they prick themselves.

Cactus Lifespans

Cacti that are in natural environments like deserts can live for centuries. Indoor cactus plants can live for around a decade if they are cared for properly.

Despite their ability to live for a long time, cacti are not indestructible. They are sensitive to being overwatered and underexposed to light. Cactus plants can also be broken if you are not careful in handling them.

You should always be extremely cautious when you move your cactus. Every time there is damage done to the cactus, the mark will always be there. This is especially true with older cacti, so be careful not to move them in a way that could compromise their structure.

Adding plants to your home is a great way to get a fresh view and is a pastime that many absolutely love. One of the best plants that you can add to a home, both indoors or outdoors, is a cactus, which ranges vastly in size, shape, and even beauty. Of course, keeping your plants alive and well can become a challenge for many. This leads to the question many unfortunately have, which is:

How do you revive a dying cactus? Just like many other plants, cacti can run into several problems that lead to their early demise, but there are steps you can take to revive them, including:

1. Fixing root rot
2. Monitoring watering, temperature, and light
3. Replanting
4. Using new soil
5. Set up a feeding schedule

While some plants may be difficult to revive even with proper steps and diligent effort, most can be brought back to life with just some extra care. The remainder of this article will discuss several ways you can bring your dying cactus back to life.

10 Ways to Bring Back Your Dying Cactus

If your cactus is beginning to look less than beautiful, it is time to act and bring it back to life. Most plant owners put a lot of time and thought into their cacti, and it can be challenging to see them getting weaker. However, if you follow these easy steps and look for the common signs of distress, you have a great chance of saving your beloved plant.

1 – Look for and Fix Root Rot

One of the most common issues that cacti suffer from is root rot, which can be commonly diagnosed and luckily is not impossible to fix. If you notice that your cactus has discoloration, shakiness, or mushy roots, you are probably dealing with a case of root rot. You may also see that the plant is beginning to turn a brown or black color.

Cacti have a wide and shallow root system, which is great for maximizing water collection but can be a challenge if they are constricted within a smaller pot space. When you combine a small pot, too much water, compacted roots, and/or a poor drainage system, it is easy for root rot to develop. You may notice that the issue is primarily near the base of the cactus and not the root itself, but it can quickly take over the plant if not dealt with.

When you notice your plant has begun to suffer from root rot, you want to act quickly to get rid of the problem. If you recognize that it is a problem before it gets too extensive, you can handle the issue, and the plant should bounce back quickly. The basic ways to deal with root rot are:

• Remove the plant from the pot that it is in and check to see the full condition of the roots. Allow the plant to dry and heal out of the soil before repotting it in a clean container with a fresh potting medium. You will want to wear protective gloves when dealing with these pokey plants or wrap them in a newspaper to avoid the spines.
• Many cacti respond well to excising any diseased tissue that you may notice. This can be a problem if the rot has gone too far, so you will want to approach this with caution. However, you can take a sharp and sterile knife and dig out the damaged flesh. You will need to allow any holes to dry out before repotting; do not water the wound as it closes.
• If the roots are covered in rot, you will want to wash the roots well and replant in sterile soil. However, if the root rot is excessive, your plant may be too far gone to save. While some plants do recover, it can be a major challenge.
• Another option that you may want to take into consideration when it comes to your cactus is that you can grow a new plant with your dying plant’s cuttings. You can take cuttings from the plant and allow them to callus over for a few days before inserting it into the medium. The cutting will begin to root, and a new, healthy cactus will grow from your dying plant.

2 – Monitor Your Watering

If you begin to inspect your plant’s roots and you do not think the rot is the problem or if you notice the rot is not too severe, it could be an issue with watering the plant. Too much water can be just as damaging as not enough water when it comes to many types of cacti. Since these are desert plants, you want to use less water rather than more.

There are two issues that arise from watering frequency: you could either be underwatering or overwatering the plant, and you will want to do your best to remedy these problems.

Under-watering Your Cactus

While your cactus does not need an abundance of water, you do need to give it water regularly for proper growth to take place. You will notice that the plant begins to pucker or shrivel, maybe even becoming brown, dry, or callused from lack of water.

If you notice that your plant looks dehydrated, you can simply give it a good watering and continue watering it regularly, which should lead to a restored and growing plant.

Overwatering Your Plant

If you notice that your plant is becoming mushy, it may be because you are overwatering the plant, and this can even lead to root rot. The problem that many plants have is not the amount of water you are giving them but simply that they cannot drain the water off properly. You will want to start by lowering the amount of water you give the plant and how frequently you do so. If this does not help, seek other action.

Your plant may be holding too much water because of the pot that it is currently in as well. You will want to find a pot that is slightly larger than the cactus and repot it using a classic cactus mix. A clay pot is a great choice for this as it can wick away moisture quickly, and the fresh mix should help with the process.

3 – Offer Your Cactus a New Home

Your cactus may begin looking a little weak because it is time to get a new pot for the plant. A common reason that many growers need to repot their cactus is because it needs a larger growing space. Like most plants, a cactus will eventually outgrow the container that it is in, and the roots will become overly crowded and compacted.

If you are not providing your plant enough space to grow, it will begin to experience stunted growth, which can lead to death. If you notice that your plant has:

• Begun to fill the container
• Noticeably crowded roots (roots growing out of drainage holes or above soil levels)
• Water running right through the container
• Leaves that look unhealthy

It is time to repot. You will want to move your plant up to the next larger container size and allow the roots to spread.

When choosing your pot and repotting the plant, you will want to keep a few things in mind:

• Make sure that you always thoroughly disinfect the new pot with one-part bleach and one-part water. This cuts down on any bacteria that may be present and provides your plant with a safe new start.
• Find a pot that fits the size of your cactus. You do not want to pick a pot that is too small or the same size as your current pot; instead, pick one that is a little larger. This will give your plant room to grow and will still be stable enough to support it.
• If you do choose a pot that is too large, it can lead to even more issues. These pots have too much excess soil and can hold too much water, leading to the issues mentioned previously.

4 – Try a New Soil

Whether your original intentions were to repot your plant or not, changing soil can be a good way to revive your plant. If you are dealing with overwatering issues, small pots, or simply cannot find the true cause of your cactus’ issues, you may want to try new soil. Often, the reason why root rot or other similar issues arise is that there is a member of the water mold known as Phytophthora spp present.

This rot is common in soil that has adequate moisture, which can happen from overwatering or from lowered drainage. If you notice root rot, it is because these pathogens are in the current soil, so replacing the soil is key. Also, some potting mixes are too heavy and can hold more water than most cacti will need.

If you are repotting your plant, you will want to change to a lighter, more porous potting soil. Most classic cacti mixes work well for this and are readily available on the market today. These blends are often resistant to the pathogens that cause root rot and are great at draining or absorbing any excess water.

5 – Check for Mealybugs

Just like many other plant species, the cactus is no stranger to invasive bug species. Mealybugs, in particular, will suck the sap from the cactus plant, also known as phloem, which can lead to its demise. When they attack your plant, they will reduce its vigor. The bugs also excrete sticky honeydew and wax, reducing plant quality.

If you notice mealybugs present near your plant, you will want to act. Higher populations of these bugs can feed on the foliage or stem of the cactus and greatly inhibit growth. While most healthy plants can handle a small population of the bug, almost no plant can withstand large numbers.

Many have found that cacti are more vulnerable to the bugs because they have a year-round mild temperature, which encourages bug population growth. Also, if you have an indoor cactus that attracts mealybugs, they do not have any natural predators ridding them from the area. You will want to monitor the plant regularly for the bug and take action should you see them.

Of course, there are some chemical ways that you can get rid of the bugs, but there are also many natural remedies. Some simple DIY ways to lower the mealybug population are:

• Use a cotton swab with denatured alcohol that you can dab the bugs with, which will kill them. However, note that this treatment requires you to repeat it often until the bugs are all removed from the plant. Make sure to check every few weeks for new bugs.
• You can use a fumigating smoke cone regularly to cut down on bug numbers.
• You can spray the cactus with a few drops of dish soap that has been diluted into one cup of water. This is an easy way to kill the bugs effectively. This treatment may also need to be repeated often for full effectiveness.

6 – Set Up a Good Feeding Schedule

A big problem that many cactus owners run into is that their plant is lacking proper nutrition. While many cacti can grow and thrive without any fertilizing, adding this extra nutrition can help them get healthier and more colorful. This makes it extremely important for you to feed your cactus with a recommended fertilizer at a regular frequency.

Ideally, you will want to feed the plant every two weeks with a complete cactus fertilizer from spring through early fall. During the fall and winter months, feed the cactus around once a month. If you are not great at keeping up with a schedule, aim for once every few months or even once a year after the plant is growing properly.

You want to ensure that you are not over-fertilizing the plant, which can lead to just as many growth issues as lacking nutrition. If you notice that your cactus’ leaves are getting soft, feel like they are made of cloth, or are even turning brown, it can mean you are feeding the plant too much. You will want to make sure that you are always following the packaging instructions when feeding your plant. If you are ever questioning yourself, opt for feeding it less instead of more.

Of course, the amount of fertilizer used for feeding is just as important as the type of fertilizer that you offer the plant. Since cacti are not heavy feeders, you want to dilute any fertilizer that you offer them to half or even a quarter strength. Too much concentration of fertilizer may lead to root rot for your plant.

Some important things to remember when it comes to finding and using fertilizer are:

• Look for different ratio formulas to find one that fits your plant’s needs. You can use a blend of 10% nitrogen, 10% phosphorous, and 10% potassium. You can also use a lower, balanced solution that is a 5-10-5 ratio. The main thing you want to look out for is too much nitrogen, which can become a problem.
• Once you find a good fertilizer, you will want to mix as the bottle states. For example, if it says to mix one tablespoon fertilizer with one-gallon water, you will want closely follow this and even drop the fertilizer level down by ½ for healthy plants.
• If you are growing a cacti species that is more of a tropical breed, you will want to reduce the fertilizer even more at ¼ the ratio. A common tropical species is the Christmas Cactus.
• After feeding your cactus, you will want to move the plant into the sunlight. Removing them from the shade helps the plant utilize the fertilizer properly and enhances growth. Of course, limit the level of light and high temperatures as you would normally.

7 – Ensure You Are Offering Proper Light

If your plant is not receiving the proper amount of light, it can become floppy, pale, and shed its leaves. This lack of light is almost guaranteed to lead to the death of your plant. If your plant is growing, but you notice that the new growth is pale or more flimsy than normal, light could be your issue.

Of course, there are plenty of ways that you can offer your plant light if a lack of it is a problem. Some ways to increase light exposure for your plant are:

• Move it to a windowsill for temporary natural lighting.
• Move it closer to the light source, whether this is natural or artificial.
• Pick up a quality artificial light source if you live somewhere with increasingly darker days. LED bulbs or grow lights are relatively inexpensive and a great way to increase the light exposure for your plant.

While not enough light can be an issue for your cactus, having too much light can also be a major problem. If your plant is getting more light exposure than needed, it can lead to an issue called cactus corking. This is when a firm, brown, or even a tissue that resembles bark can develop just above the soil on a healthy plant.

This is part of the natural aging process of most plants and often starts at the base of the cactus, moving upward. If you notice that your cactus is turning brown from the top down, this is a clear sign that your plant has too much sun. Just like humans, your cactus can get sunburn with extended exposure.

If your plant is experiencing mild sunburn, it can begin as a whitish discoloration that is at the top of the plant or on the side that is facing the sun. Severe burns will appear similar to corking, with hard brown scabs on the surface. If your cactus has reached the point of having these scabs, it is permanently damaged.

To allow your plant time to heal from small burns or to stop it from getting more extensive damage, you will want to move it into the shade. While cacti grow in the desert, they are not accustomed to a large amount of sunlight, and many are used to never experiencing full sun all day. You will want to acclimate the plant to extended sun exposure slowly or simply limit the level of light that the plant gets daily.

8 – Monitor the Temperature

While most cacti do grow in warmer weather environments, this is not always the case, and they need regular temperature variations. One sign that they are having health issues is because they are not blooming properly. This may be due to the level of light that they are getting, or it could be due to the temperature at which you keep them.

Most cacti do need warm weather to survive, but it is important to remember that this ideal temperature should be between 65 degrees and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. However, during the cooler dormant months, you will want to lower these temperatures for proper growth. These dormant month temperatures should be closer to 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

For most cactus plants, flowers will only form when the plant is between 50 and 55 degrees. While many cacti have adapted to living in higher humidity locations, they still will die if the humid habitats are too extreme. Also, if the temperatures are too low, you can kill the plant by allowing it to get too cool.

9 – Induce Plant Rooting

Many of our methods of saving your cactus involve repotting the plant or removing it from its current home. This can be dramatic for the cactus, and without proper rooting can lead to death. If you notice that the roots of your plant have been damaged from rot or excessive watering, you need to encourage new rooting in its new soil.

As mentioned in our first step involving root rot, you may need to cut away damaged tissue from the plant. This can lower the amount of roots present and makes growing new roots critical for survival. Luckily, cacti are some of the best plants at regenerating, with a whole cactus plant easily grown from a small portion of healthy tissue.

To properly induce new rooting, you can do a few extra steps before planting the cactus:

• Let the cactus dry out for several days until thick scabs form on the cut sections.
• Place the remaining cactus section into a pot with cactus soil or some other porous, quality soil that you know works well.
• Bury the cactus about one inch deep. If the only remaining tissue is quite small, simply bury it about halfway. You want to ensure a large amount is in the dirt, and some remain above the soil.
• Avoid overwatering the cactus, even stopping watering entirely for the first week.
• Once the first week has passed, you will want to water the plant sparingly and look for new growth to appear.

10 – Simply Leave it Alone

This final step to saving your cactus may seem like a silly one, but too often, it is the most effective. There are times when your plant may look a little weak or simply off to you, but it truly does not need your saving. It may simply be going through its normal die off and shredding of its buds phase.

If your plant is looking a little less than perfect, examine the vital areas and look for any signs that may be alarming. Take a glance at the roots, check for any bugs, and evaluate your normal care routine. If everything seems to check out, simply give your cactus a little break and let it take care of itself.

If you are concerned, give your plant a good drink of water and leave it be. Put the cactus in an area that gets a fair amount of sunlight, like a windowsill, and give it time to grow. You will want to revisit it now and then to water it again and give it a little checkup.

The best thing to do once you have diagnosed and hopefully repaired your plant is to establish a good routine that you can follow from here on out. Some basics to keep in mind are:

• Stop overwatering your plant. Only supply water to the cactus every couple of weeks, depending on the size and species of plant that you have. Research your specific cactus type, as well as keep a record of which watering schedule leads to quality growth.
• Supply your plant with a proper amount of sunlight and offer them cooler, dormant months as needed. Make sure to check for signs of sun damage or too much light, adjusting the plant accordingly.
• Give your plant a break to allow it to heal and grow. Most of these saving techniques can be quite traumatic, and most plants do well just being left alone and cared for as needed.

Who doesn’t love growing things? Unfortunately, for many of us who don’t have a green thumb, it may be challenging to keep plants alive. However, a cactus is an example of one plant that is low-maintenance and is often recommended for new plant growers. But, even though cacti are easy to care for, you still need to remain mindful of how much water you give them, just like any other plant.

What are the signs that a cactus is overwatered? Five signs will let you know a cactus is receiving too much water:

1. Splitting
2. The skin of the cactus is mushy and puckered
3. Soil stays moist for too long
4. Cactus is starting to die in winter
5. Black/brown discoloration, especially at the base

Because cacti are very drought-tolerant, they need far less water than you think. The remainder of this article will discuss the reasons why these succulents do not need a lot of water, and signs that your plant may be getting too much water. With a few simple steps, you can still save your plant and get it to perk back up! 

Why does a cactus need limited water?

A cactus is part of the succulent plant family, which thrives on very little water by storing most of what they absorb beneath their skin. This is an adaptation for plants that evolved in low-water areas such as desserts or steppes. When they cannot rely on much water from the sky or the ground, they need to keep as much as possible to last them through the months-long dry seasons.

Cacti, specifically, are succulents that are covered in spines. These spines can be thick and large, small, and soft, and everywhere in between. They grow from areoles spaced out along the skin and serve several purposes, including helping cacti absorb every water droplet in receives.

Since the spines have 360 degrees of surface area, they can prevent water from running down off the plant and into the ground. Instead, they can direct the water to where it can be more easily absorbed by the cactus.

Another feature that helps keep the cactus hydrated is its waxy skin. This coating prevents moisture from leaving once it has been absorbed.

Cactus Roots

The cactus has a root system that is also specially designed for absorbing water. With a shallow and extensive root system, the plant doesn’t have to wait for the water to sink in too far before they get to it. This is especially important for desert-dwelling plants because rainfall is less likely to soak into the lower layers of dirt than it is to be evaporated by the hot sun and dry air.

Taproots aid in stabilizing larger columnar cacti. These also help the large cactus store even more water to support its massive size.

CO2 Intake

Another feature of cacti’s skin allows them to employ a unique breathing process. As we know, all plants intake carbon dioxide (CO2) and expel oxygen (O2). Typical plants do this during the daytime as part of photosynthesis, or the chemical process by which plants use light from the sun to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water.

Cacti do not breathe during the day because while this would allow CO2 to enter the plant, and would allow precious water to escape via transpiration. Instead, they use crassulacean acid metabolism(CAM), which means they reserve breathing for nighttime. To do this, the plant stores carbon dioxide in the form of malic acid until daylight. Then, it uses the CO2 for photosynthesis.

Because this entire process takes place during the late hours of the day when it is cooler and more humid, a cactus significantly reduces its water loss.

5 Signs Your Cactus Needs Less Water

As cacti are very slow growing, you may have invested a lot of time and effort into your little plant. Unfortunately, many of us kill our cacti with kindness, that is, by overwatering it.  This is the main culprit of a struggling house cactus. Fortunately, they are pretty good at letting you know when you are doing this.

So, pay attention to these signs, and you’ll be able to save your spiky friend!

1. Your cactus splits.
2. Your cactus is mushy and puckered.
3. Your soil stays moist for too long.
4. Your cactus is starting to die in winter.
5. Your cactus is turning black or brown, especially at the base.

1.     Your Cactus Splits

Maybe you forgot your cactus for a while, or you went on an extended vacation. When you came back, the soil looked super dry, so you dumped a bunch of water on it. The next thing you know, the cactus has a split in its skin.

This happens when a cactus takes up too much water at one time. Since these plants are highly efficient at absorbing and storing water, they pull in more water than other house plants. While they are designed to expand during times of rain, too much expansion can be harmful. This is what causes the split.

Also, when they have been dry for too long, the plant has likely contracted, specifically to survive its arid conditions. You’ll want to reintroduce water slowly to your plant to allow it to expand and grow at its own rate, especially if it’s been a long time since its last watering!

But don’t worry! Splitting does not cause long-term damage to the plant. Cacti have adapted to repair themselves from this kind of damage by creating a callus and sealing off the area. Just continue watering lightly, and your plant should grow as usual.

To learn more about cacti splitting, check out this YouTube video by Desert Plants of Avalon.

2.    Your Cactus is Mushy & Puckered

The problem with puckered succulent leaves or cacti is that it can be attributed to too little or too much water.

A healthy cactus will be plump and firm because of the water stored inside it. These stores are used as reserves for times when new water is scarce. As the cactus dries out, it will begin to tap into these reserves to survive. If it draws too much from them, the skin begins to pull inward as water volume is lost. This is a sign of too little water and usually happens at the bottom of the plant first.

Conversely, if the cactus absorbs too much water, then the storage space will run out. As water is stored in the cells of the plant, these cells will burst if too full, and the plant will literally fall apart from the inside out. This results in a puckered and mushy plant.

Therefore, you should make sure to pay attention to your watering habits to determine if you are under- or over-watering your cactus. To remedy this, ease into adding more water or decreasing watering time slowly so as not to shock the plant too much.

Do you think one of these things is happening to your plant? If you’re not sure what you should be looking for in terms of mush or puckering, check out the photos in this article from Pistils Nursery. There are good examples of what these signs usually look like.

3.    Your Soil Stays Moist for Too Long

While you may be tempted to use standard potting soil or compost for your new cactus, this should be avoided. Regular potting soil is designed to hold moisture close to the plant. This is because other houseplants are not as good at quickly absorbing water as cacti. 

Cacti are gluttons for water. That is, they soak up as much water as quickly as possible. This is because the soil in which these plants are found is naturally poor and arid. Any rainfall is not likely to stick around long—whether it drains by runoff or disappears by evaporation. This means the cactus needs to get it before it’s gone.

Therefore, if the soil stays wet around the roots for too long, your cactus will keep drinking it until it oversaturates itself; it doesn’t know when to stop! And worst yet, this oversaturation could lead to root rot and other problems.

To prevent this, you can change your potting medium to a specially-designed cactus soil that is coarse and low in nutrients. This soil tends to be equal parts:

• Sand
• Soil
• Gritty mixture (pebbles or pot shards)

Some mixes even contain:

• Peat
• Pumice
• Coir
• Pearlite
• Limestone
• Coconut fibers

The necessity of these additional ingredients really depends on the type of cactus you have, so read the instructions carefully. For example, peat is useful if you live in a very arid climate. It is designed to hold moisture, but if you allow it to get too dry, it will not rehydrate well.

You can buy a commercial cactus mix or make your own, but the benefit of this mixture is that it will drain faster and encourage evaporation. Once you’ve changed the potting medium, make sure to let it dry out thoroughly between watering. And don’t forget to empty the drainage saucer if there is one!

4.   Your Cactus is Starting to Die in the Winter

You may be thinking that your cactus is dying because you are currently in the coldest months of the year. While these plants do love warm temperatures and sun, since they are desert-dwellers, they are no stranger to chilly nights. So, if you keep your cactus indoors and it’s not directly near a cold window, it’s unlikely that the winter weather is causing it to die.

As with all plants, cacti go semi-dormant or dormant in the winter. Their growth slows considerably, and their soil generally does not dry out as fast. This means they generally need less water than in the summer months. Therefore, if you have kept up the same watering schedule even as the days grow shorter, you may be watering your cactus too often.

All plants, in general, need less water over the winter, and cacti are no exception. While you may water your cactus once a week in the summer (or more if you give it outside time in the hot sun), that may be too much for the winter. Try to simulate the cactus’s natural habitat.

Most plant experts recommend only watering the cactus two or three times during the entire winter season. And when you do, make sure to follow tip number one above and not give it too much water at one time!

5.    Your Cactus is Turning Black or Brown

Discoloration can also be another sign of either under- or over-watering. It is essential to know the difference between different shades and textures that may appear as a result of how you water your cactus.

For a cactus that is too dry, it may be turning brown and crispy at the tips. These look like callouses or sunburns. If this is your cactus’ symptom, try giving it more water and over time, the plant will heal its damage. But make sure the soil is fully draining!

On the other hand, if the leaves or stems are turning black or dark brown, that could be a sign of root rot because of overwatering. These dark spots usually occur at the bottom of the plant or on the lower leaves/appendages. They are soggy and can even be oozing or leaky. This means that your plant has so much water that it’s now collected in the roots.

If you suspect this is the case, gently pull your succulent out of its pot and examine the root base.  If the root network is expansive and looks healthy, then your plant may survive. Repot it in fresh, dry soil and decrease your watering.

If the roots look dead or blackened, then your succulent is in trouble. It is most likely that you will need to try to salvage its healthier sections in order to keep it growing well.

Not sure if your cactus is experiencing root rot or dryness? Check the photo examples from this article on Pistils Nursery to compare your plant to.

Saving Your Cactus from Overwatering

So, what if you have changed the potting medium and readjusted your watering routine, but your cactus still seems sad, and you notice continued mushy spots or dark patches? This may mean your cactus has developed some type of rot, which is slowly spreading through the rest of the plant. Plants cannot heal already rotted flesh, so if you notice these spots, it is best to remove them if at all possible.

Removing Rot from the Top

If the damage is at the top of your cactus, you have a better chance of saving it. Take a sharp, clean knife and dig out the damaged tissue gently. Allow the hole to dry out and heal over. Make sure not to water the plant from above to prevent moisture and bacteria from getting into the wound.

If you give it time, the plant should callous over, and while now looking a little scrappier, it should continue to grow and get healthier!

Removing Rot from the Roots

If you suspect root rot, this is a more difficult problem to tackle. It is possible to save the plant, but it will take extra care and even a little luck.

• Determine if any healthy roots are left. First, remove the plant from its soil and inspect the roots. If all of them are blackened, limp, or broken off, your plant may not survive. However, if any are still viable, you may try to replant it.
• Separate the dead tissue. Remove any infected tissue and all surrounding soil from the cactus.
• Wash the roots thoroughly. This will remove any remaining diseased soil or rot from around the roots.
• Repot in sterile soil. Plant the cactus in a fresh batch of potting medium, ensuring that its amount and type is suitable for your cactus. This is also an excellent time to check your pot size, making sure it’s not too large or too small.

Root a Cutting

If you determine that the roots of your cactus are no longer viable, you may still be able to root a cutting. Depending on the plant, if there is a healthy part still left, you can cut that piece off from the rest and help it grow new roots.

First, allow the cutting to callous over for a couple of days before placing it in the soil. When planting, make sure to bury it at least an inch into the medium so it can begin to root. While this process may take weeks, you should see a brand-new, healthy baby cactus that is quite similar to the parent plant!

Conclusion

While over-watering can be a death sentence for your little cactus, it doesn’t have to be.  Paying attention to the signs above, and catching them early enough, will allow you to save your succulent just in time. If you follow these simple tips, you and your new houseplant can celebrate many great years together!