Do you secretly yearn to live in the desert? Plant a cactus to begin your path toward your dream. In regions where they can withstand freezing temperatures, these low-maintenance plants make beautiful landscape plants as well as ideal houseplants. You did read that correctly, There are a ton of cold-tolerant cactus species! For instance, prickly pear cacti may survive rather far north. Giving a cactus what it wants in terms of light, soil, water, and food can ensure its success in any location.
Where to Grow a Cactus
Cactus plants come in a wide variety, some of which even grow in trees! However, the majority of individuals either grow theirs inside as houseplants or outdoors in the landscape. Always read the plant tags for precise information, but in general, cacti want full light and soil that drains quickly. This calls for growing close to a window that faces south or west indoors.
When the nighttime temperature is at least 65 degrees F throughout the summer, you can bring indoor cactus plants outside. Move them to an area with more sun after they have spent some time outside in a protected area getting accustomed to it. If you intend to transport plants between indoors and outdoors, morning sun is optimal.
When to Plant a Cactus
Try to put a cactus outside in the late spring or early summer while the plants are actively growing. They’ll start off more smoothly and swiftly put down roots.
How to Plant a Cactus Outside
1. Most cactus plants require light, permeable soil. Mix native soil and Miracle-Gro Garden Soil for Cactus, Palm & Citrus in equal parts to prepare the soil in the planting location. The cactus is protected by Moisture Control technology against both over- and under-watering, both of which can be problematic.
2. Create a hole that is 11/2 times as big and as deep as the stem or root ball of the plant (some transplanted cacti don’t have large root balls).
3. Position the plant in the hole so that its north side faces that direction. If there isn’t a flag or chalk marking this side, make sure to inquire before you leave the garden center. Here’s why it’s significant: The more sun-exposed south side of the plant typically produces tougher skin that is more resistant to sunburn. On the other hand, the north side might not be able to withstand the sun as well.
4. Add more soil mixture to the area around the root ball and gently pat it down.
5. Lightly water.
6. To acclimate a cactus to the intense outdoor sun before planting one that was produced in an outdoor greenhouse, cover it with a little amount of shade cloth for a few weeks.
How to Plant a Cactus Indoors
1. Choose a container that is 112 times as broad as the stem or root ball of the cactus. You might want to use an unglazed container because it will dry out more rapidly if your environment is humid or you have a tendency to water plants excessively.
2. Add fast-draining to the pot until it is 1/3 full. The perfect nutrients are included in Miracle-Gro Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix to give your cactus a head start.
3. Set the cactus in the pot with the stem or root ball at the same depth as it was before being moved. To protect your hands, put on gloves or cover them with many layers of newspaper.
4. Fill in the area around the rootball, leaving a space of about an inch between the soil’s top and the container’s rim.
5. Lightly water the soil until it resembles a wrung-out sponge.
How to Water a Cactus
It may come as no surprise to find that under-watering is the second most prevalent reason for cactus plant deaths, even though over-watering is the most common cause. Finding the sweet spot can be challenging because it differs in the summer when plants are actively developing from the winter when they are more passive. A decent rule of thumb is to water your cactus when the top 3 inches of soil are dry if you’re growing it indoors. This might imply a few times every week during the summer and just once every four to six weeks throughout the winter. Watch out for your plants: They likely need water if they start to appear a little wilted. However, unless there hasn’t been any rain in your region for several months, you shouldn’t need to water your cactus at all outside.
How to Feed a Cactus
Cacti may not require a lot of water, but they do require food. If you used Miracle-Gro Garden Soil for Cactus, Palm & Citrus to prepare the soil before planting your cactus outdoors, you should begin feeding it Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food a month after planting. This will provide your prickly baby quick nutrients. Meals should start for potted cactus plants approximately a month after planting. Apply Miracle-Gro Succulent Plant Food directly to the soil, then water as usual to feed your succulent plants. Make sure you read the instructions before using any type of plant food.
How to Prune a Cactus
Put simply, don’t! If you do, all you’ll get is a cut-site area of corky, dried-out scar tissue. The best course of action if your cactus outgrows your living space is to give it to a friend who has more room and get a new, smaller specimen for yourself.
Dealing with Cactus Problems
If you don’t submerge your cactus, it should continue to thrive with little trouble. Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do to prevent rot problems caused by overwatering besides starting over.
My cactus is growing what, exactly?
The substance that appears to be cotton fibers is actually a fine wax made by adult cochineal scale insects, and the little black specks may be their nymphs. On cholla (Cylindropuntia spp.) and prickly pear (Opuntia spp.) cactus, it is typical in this region. The white beards that resemble those on other cacti, such as the Peruvian old man (Espostoa lanata) and Peruvian old woman (Espostoa melanostele), are not an insect byproduct but rather typical, healthy changed tissues. Landscape chollas and prickly pears have a white waxy coating produced by cochineal scale that helps shield these actual bugs from predators and insecticides.
I’ve seen prickly pear pads covered in that white fluff almost entirely. Mild infestations, like the ones Doa Ana County Extension Master Gardener Dael Goodman and I saw at in Las Cruces earlier new week, are more typical. In New Mexico, there are multiple native cholla and prickly pear species. There are numerous of them in the Goodmans’ front yard, and we immediately noted that some species were more affected by the cochineal scale than others.
Topical pesticides, especially natural ones like petroleum oils and insecticidal soaps, are unlikely to be effective no matter what time of year it is if the insects are shielded by a white covering. Also, keep in mind that the ultimate goal isn’t to completely eradicate cochineal scale from your garden—partially that’s impossible—but rather to control the populations of insect pests until beneficial insects come to the rescue.
You will be shocked to see a bright red liquid that seems to appear out of nowhere if you squeeze a glob of the white goo that has healthy females hidden inside. Carmine, a natural dye used for millennia to color textiles and create artwork, is produced inside the bodies of cochineal scale insects. Because this carmine component is also utilized in red foods and cosmetics like sausages, lipstick, pie fillings, and vividly colored alcoholic beverages, check product labels for it. Before the firm converted to an artificial dye in 2006, it was used to create the vibrant color of Campari liquor, but a new generation of craft distillers and other producers are increasingly adopting it as a substitute for synthetic red components.
Goodman and I attempted to film the flowing red fluids squeezing the white tufts on her prickly pear pads with a small stick, but we hardly noticed any redness. The female cochineal population may be declining at this time of year, or those specific tufts may be so old that the residents have long since disappeared and have only left that waxy material behind. We’ll give it another go with a fresher sample in the summer.
Six cholla species and seven prickly pear species are covered in Robert DeWitt Ivey’s stunning reference work Flowering Plants of New Mexico. There are five yellow-flowered prickly pears in that group. Identification might be aided by paying close attention to the pad sizes and spine specifics. If you intend to approach closely, make preparations and carry tongs.
At the Agricultural Science Center in Los Lunas, Marisa Thompson, PhD, is the Extension Horticulture Specialist for New Mexico State University.
What kind of cactus bears fruit?
For gardeners who don’t want to stop growing because of the winter weather, starting an indoor garden is an easy choice. Producing the same old fruits and veggies inside can get a little boring, yet growing your own lettuce and garlic on your windowsill can still be gratifying.
We have options for you if you want to be a little more experimental. One alternative that can be really tasty is edible cacti and succulents. And the majority of them require little upkeep. We’ve put together a list of five with instructions on how to cultivate them indoors.
Dragon Fruit, Hylocereus undatus.
In case you didn’t know, dragon fruit is a member of the cactus family. This prickly fruit tastes like a cross between a kiwi and a pear and has a distinct crunch. They go well with smoothies and are also delicious on their own. Dragon fruit grows well in hot, dry climates. Make sure to put yours in a south-facing window or somewhere that receives sunlight for 6 to 8 hours per day. About once a week, water it. Each time you water your soil, it should feel completely dry.
You can either grow this cactus from a seed or a cutting, depending on how long you want to wait until you get fruit that can be harvested. It takes six years to grow from a seed, and one year to grow from a cutting.
Elephant Bush, Portulacaria afra
You can eat the elephant bush, sometimes known as elephant chow, in addition to elephants. Remove the leaves from the stem and mix them in with a salad. They may also be cooked and added to soup. They have a sour flavor and a crunchy texture.
These plants do well in cactus soil, well-draining potting soil, or potting soil that contains 50% sand. Indirect sunlight is preferred by this succulent. A south-facing window is great indoors. It’s vital to remember that this plant can burn its leaves to a crisp and lose them if it receives too much sun. If the tips of the elephant bush begin to turn yellow or red, it has received too much sun. When watering the elephant bush, make sure to direct the water away from the leaves and into the soil. If water is left on top of leaves for an extended period of time, it can rot the leaves.
We advise adopting the soak-and-dry technique, which involves using the soil’s ability to dry out as a cue to water the plant. It’s time for some water if the top inch of soil feels entirely dry.
Prickly Pear, Opuntia ficus-indica
The prickly pear cactus is well renowned for producing sweet, syrupy fruit. The petals, however, are also a delectable snack that may be eaten on its own, in salads, or added to omelettes.
They may be grown in almost any kind of container. It requires at least six hours of daily direct sunshine to grow. The ideal windows are those that face west or south. Additionally, it needs soil that drains effectively because too much moisture in the soil might damage the prickly pear. When the top half to inch of soil in the pot becomes dry, or every ten to fourteen days, water the plants.
This cactus produces fruit more slowly than other species; it can take a young plant three to four years to begin bearing fruit. So take a moment to admire its blossoms.
Glasswort, Salicornia europaea
South African native glasswort, sometimes known as the common man’s asparagus, is a succulent. In broad sun, glasswort grows best. This succulent can remain on your windowsill all day. Make sure it is buried in sandy or well-draining soil. Using saline water will be necessary to care for this plant. Stir in two tablespoons of sea salt for every two cups of water. You need always keep your soil moist, so keep an eye on this plant and make sure you are giving it regular waterings.
Glasswort is edible and goes well with salads when eaten raw. In addition, it can be stir-fried, pickled, or steamed. When the stems are about 5 inches long, they are at their best and ready for harvest.
Purslane, Portulaca oleracea
An annual succulent called purslane is sometimes known as red root or pursley. It has six times as much vitamin E as spinach and seven times as much beta-carotene as carrots. It has been described as one of the most nutrient-dense wild plants by Michael Pollan.
The ideal amount of sun exposure for this low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plant is eight hours. It requires well-drained soil and needs watering once a week, or if the top inch or layer of soil dries up. This plant should never receive water to the point where the soil feels moist.
The plant’s leaves can be used in meals just like spinach or microgreens. Their leaves have a peppery flavor and are tart.