Cactus: Care and Problem Solving

Cacti are great indoor plants that require very little care. There are hundreds of different sizes, shapes, and varieties to choose from, many of which produce fabulous flowers. Some Cacti are small enough to sit on a windowsill while others can grow over 6ft. tall. You can even combine Cacti in decorative containers to create your own special dish gardens.

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Care of Cacti

Light: Cacti require lots of bright indirect light; but be careful to introduce a Cactus to direct sunlight gradually or it may get sunburn. The ideal location for a small Cactus pot is on the windowsill of a south-facing window. If this isn't possible, keep your Cactus as close to east or west facing windows as possible. Cacti originate in the desert and need as much sun as you can provide to stay healthy and happy.

Water: Always check to be sure that the soil in your Cactus pot is completely dry before watering, and then water deeply and thoroughly. Allow any excess water to drain out. Never leave a Cactus sitting in water. The warmer and brighter the location, the faster a Cactus dries out and the more water it needs. A Cactus also requires more water in the spring through the early fall when it is growing. In the winter, when it is resting, a Cactus may need only a tablespoon of water once a month. Over-watering is the main reason why Cacti die.

Temperature: The ideal temperature for an indoor Cactus is between 60-80 degrees. Cacti need lower temperatures during the winter when they are "resting."

Fertilizer: Use a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen but high in potassium at ¼ strength for your Cactus plant. The type of fertilizer used for tomatoes works well. Fertilize monthly in the late spring and summer when your Cactus is actively growing. A Cactus won't need any fertilizer the rest of the year.

Soil: A good fast draining porous soil in your Cactus pot is essential to prevent over watering and root rot. You can purchase special Cactus/Succulent soil at a nursery or make your own. The soil should be part coarse sand, part peat moss, and part loam soil. The correct mixture will compact and hold together when wet and be crumbly and fall apart when dry.

Pests: Even plants full of thorns like Cacti get pests. Mealy bugs and scale are found most often though spider mites and aphids may also cause problems. The scale is usually found around the thorns of a Cactus and can be scrapped off with a children's toothbrush. Spray the green solution to get rid of any other Cactus pests.

Propagation: Cacti can be propagated by seeds, plant division, and plant cuttings. Plant cuttings are definitely the easiest method.


Euphorbia Cactus
Euphoriba cactus picture

Cactus FAQ's

1. I love Cacti, but every one I buy gets brown and mushy at the base and dies.
You are over watering your Cactus. Cacti are great indoor plants only if you are careful not to give them too much water! The soil must be allowed to dry out. In cool weather, a Cactus can survive on a tablespoon of water a month.

2. Can I move my indoor Cactus outside in the summer?
Your Cactus will love it. Be careful to introduce it to direct sunlight gradually or it will get an ugly sunburn. Bring your Cactus inside before temperatures go below 55 degrees.

3. How can I start a new Cactus off of my old Cactus?
Propagating most Cacti is quite simple. Break off a small piece from an area on the old Cactus plant that's not easily visible. Dip the cut end into rooting hormone. Plant the Cactus piece in a small pot of porous fast draining soil. Cacti are very slow growing plants so it may take quite some time before you have a substantial new plant.

4. I'm afraid I'm going to over water my Cactus. Is there any way to tell when a Cactus needs water?
There are several ways to tell if a Cactus needs water. When Cactus soil is wet it holds together when it's dry it becomes powdery and falls apart. You can try sticking your finger into the top of the pot as far down as it will go to test for moisture. You can also stick your finger into the bottom drip holes and check for moisture. My favorite way is to look at the Cactus. If it has become soft, supple, or even a little shriveled; it is definitely time to water.

5. My Cactus never blooms. Is there anything I can do?
Cacti, like gardenias, need temperature fluctuations in order to bloom. There should be at least a 20-25 degree difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures. Feed a Cactus with a fertilizer low in nitrogen (since it encourages green growth) and high in potassium (since it encourages flowering). Putting a Cactus outside in the summer encourages it to flower, but be careful of the direct sun.

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