Cacti are hardy enough to survive the hottest of conditions and love as much direct sunlight as you can give them. They prefer bright rooms, so it’s best if they’re in one of the sunnier spots in your home.
Complete guide to cactus care
Whether you’re channeling a boho vibe or just prefer plants that can handle a bit of neglect, there’s a cactus for you.
- Watering infrequently. They’re a desert plant, so dry soil suits them just fine.
- Keeping your plant in a bright, sunny spot.
- Treating it to a cactus specific fertiliser in the warmer months.
- Popping your cactus in a stylish pot that shows off its cool silhouette.
All about cacti
If you’re looking for a houseplant that can stand the test of time, look no further than a cactus – they can live for hundreds of years in the wild.
Not just a symbol of arid, desert landscapes and iconic locations like Palm Springs, cacti make a great houseplant choice because they look exotic but don’t need much attention.
There’s thousands of different types of cacti to choose from but we’ve picked three to get you started. Ian is a cactus euphorbia and he’s a tall, handsome plant who grows slowly but will eventually reach up to 2m tall. Kate the fishbone cactus has zig zag style leaves that will trail as long as you let them. Spike might be small but he packs a punch – quite literally if you happen to come into contact with his sharp spines.
Are cacti easy to care for?
Any plant that can survive months without fresh water is going to be low maintenance, so they’re a great choice if you want an exotic houseplant without too much responsibility.
You don’t need to prune your cactus and most varieties are slow growing so they rarely need repotting.
CARING FOR DESERT CACTI
Cacti need strong, extended light exposure and in the northeastern United States that usually means giving your cactus the sunniest possible place in your home. Plants that receive inadequate light will grow thin and stretched in appearance. Full sunlight is also needed to stimulate bud formation and flowering. Your plant will benefit from being turned daily so that all sides receive light. Without regular rotation, the cactus is likely to become deformed. You can supplement natural sunlight with full-spectrum, artificial light.
The near absence of leaves in desert cacti helps them to conserve water. While cacti have adapted to survive long periods of dryness in their native environments, they do need regular watering in your home. Water thoroughly once the top inch of potting mixture has gotten dry. That could be as often as once a week in hot, dry home or only every few weeks in a more humid, cool house.
Watering from the bottom is preferred as splashing water on the cactus may cause unsightly markings. Place your cactus pot in a basin of water and allow the water to wick upwards through the drainage hole into the soil of the plant for ten minutes or so and then check that water has adequately moistened the potting mixture before removing. Allow the water to drain for a few minutes once your cactus is lifted from the basin; do not let the plant stand in a wet dish. It is essential that you avoid over-watering so do not give water if the soil is still moist. Keep humidity below 30% to the extent possible.
In the fall and winter, desert cacti experience a non-active growth period and it is important to adjust your care to preserve the health of your cactus. Water less frequently and always before noon so that all the water can be absorbed or evaporate during daylight. Water only enough to keep the plant from shriveling and err on the side of too little water.
Temperature
The normal active growth period for desert cacti is March through September. During this period, a typical, warm household temperature is fine. During the non-active period, however, your cactus needs to rest with continued strong sunlight in a room of 40 to 45°F. An unheated room is fine, provided the temperature does not drop much below 40°F.
If your plant must stay in its summer position, pay close attention to adjusting to a winter watering schedule and lower the temperature of the house slightly if possible.
Soil and potting
Cacti prefer a nutrient-rich, rocky soil with excellent drainage. Many commercial cacti and potting soil mixes rely too heavily on peat which holds moisture in the soil longer than is desirable. A proper cactus soil should drain in less than a minute after watering and it is essential that the cactus is kept in a pot with a drain hole. Like other succulents, cacti need soil to dry out between waterings or their delicate roots will rot.
You can find many recipes for potting mixtures that will provide a good combination of organic material and quick draining media but in general, mixing three parts grit or sand (for drainage) with one part potting soil (for organic material) and one part coir, peat or shredded bark (for structure) creates a suitable soil for most cacti.
Cacti have a wide, shallow root system to maximize water collection in their natural habitat. In the constricted space of a pot, compacted roots and poor drainage will quickly lead to root rot. In the early spring, remove your plant from its pot to see if the roots are beginning to fill the space. If so, move the cactus to a pot just one size larger. Do not use too large a pot or the soil will hold more moisture than your plant can absorb and tempt root rot. You can use a folded length of newspaper to protect you and your cactus from hand to spine contact.
