You need to give your cactus adequate sunlight so that it can flourish. While extreme heat in their natural environment causes them to become dormant, you must give your cactus enough sunshine for it to develop in the summer. This is assuming that you experience hot, humid summers and chilly, icy winters.
The majority of cacti, particularly desert cactus, need a lot of bright light. The indirect, bright light is preferred by tropical cactus. Both require a lot of strong, primarily indirect light. Cacti can be kept in the summer on a windowsill, balcony, or even outside.
But intense midday heat can harm your cacti. Outside, it’s frequently OK, but inside a glass, the heat can burn. Additionally, avoid letting your cactus spend more than a few hours in direct sunshine, especially during periods of extreme heat. Species will influence that, though.
Another crucial point to keep in mind is that while cacti are accustomed to persistent, intense heat and sunlight in their native habitats, they are not accustomed to it at home. You must gradually acclimate them to sunlight, especially during winter hibernation, to prevent burns that might potentially kill cacti.
If you mist cactus, you should do so either very early in the morning before sunrise or late in the day after sunset. This is because the spines will only be slightly heated, aiding in the evaporation of the water. Avoid misting your cactus while it’s hot outside since the water will act as a lens and will burn your plants.
To put it simply, cactus require a lot of bright (and occasionally shaded) light to flourish. Never place a cactus in a dim bathroom or on a shelf (unless it is tolerant of low light). Your cactus will progressively stop growing if you do it this way.
The majority of cacti species do best when placed on windowsills that face south, south-east, or south-west. Cacti on south-facing windowsills may require shading during busy times. Window sills with a west or northwest orientation are ideal for cacti from the desert or the tropics, as they prefer filtered or shaded light.
#3: Allow proper air exchange
Cacti require adequate air exchange to survive and adore it. They detest high humidity and stagnant air, and if they have to live there, they will slowly perish. Having said that, keep cactus away from drafts and keep air conditioning away from them because they don’t like sudden temperature changes. In the winter, keep away from radiators and put in a cool spot.
Place your cacti in a light area of your home, such as a balcony, windowsill, or even outside. Cacti shouldn’t be kept in closed terrariums since they can’t tolerate high humidity.
If possible, leave your cactus outside during the summer.
They can only grow with fresh air. Never water your plants at night, though, if the temperature where you live drops very low during the summer (below 55F, or 13 Celsius). In this situation, bring them inside.
In order to simulate morning dew when nighttime temperatures are low and subsequently rise significantly, hot water misting or morning watering are fantastic options. Most cacti thrive at summertime temperatures between 80 and 86 F (27 and 30 C).
Try to use cactus for terrariums only briefly, for a few days. This is so that cactus can’t easily absorb water from a glass container. Cacti have a difficult time absorbing water in terrariums since there are no drainage holes and multiple layers of soil, rocks, and charcoal.
Cacti grow slowly, right?
A cactus is a wonderful addition to any home because of its eye-catching size, form, and blossoms. No two cactus plants are same, so whether it’s placed on your windowsill or displayed on a shelf, this houseplant is a distinctive, aesthetically pleasing way to add interest to your living room.
The Greek word “kaktos,” which means “spiky plant,” is the source of the name “cactus” (officially known as the Cactaceae family). Cacti or cactuses are native to the Americas (a vast region in North and South America with a strong concentration in Mexico) and are typically found in areas that experience drought. Because they are perfectly adapted to the intense heat and environment of the desert, they can most definitely survive the warm and dry conditions of a centrally heated home.
Cactuses are an excellent choice for those who aren’t as adept at taking care of plants because they simply require moderate watering—underwatering is actually preferable to overwatering.
A cactus plant, despite its slow growth, is largely self-sufficient because it retains moisture in its roots, leaves, and stems. As a result, it can control how much food it consumes. Cactus plants want a site that is open, airy, and warm—around 18°C is ideal—but not overly warm. They can also tolerate direct sunlight.
Learn why these beautiful houseplants are much more than just prickles!
Are cactus plants indestructible?
No, you are not the only one if you have ever murdered a cactus. The simplest method is to overwater, have poor drainage, and use the incorrect compost. Normal potting soil retains water effectively, which is great for most plants but not for cacti because they require excellent drainage. It is best to use specialized cactus soil if you want to keep cacti alive.
How come my cactus is so tiny?
The majority of cacti are tough plants that can withstand some care mistakes. Cacti, however, also require some unique care. One issue you could run into with cactuses is shrinkage, which can happen for a number of different causes. Why then is my cactus avoiding me? In this piece, let’s find out.
Your cactus may be decreasing for a number of causes, including underwatering, aging, rotting, too much light, and overwatering in the winter.
To identify the reason why shirking occurs, you must check for a variety of indicators.
A healthy cactus should not shrink; it is not typical for cacti to do so. Please be aware that elderly cactus typically exhibits some corking (brownish in color).
But shrinkage, particularly at the base, is a sign of care errors, which can take many different forms and are frequently long-lasting. Review your cactus care to identify any potential causes of shrinking.
What causes a cactus’ sluggish growth?
Slow growth is necessary for cactus to survive. Water and nutrients are extremely scarce in the desert. The land is dry and nearly unfertile, and it seldom ever rains. Cacti receive extremely little of both water and nutrients from the ground, which limits their ability to grow. Plants need these two resources to perform photosynthesis, which requires both.
Does Miracle Grow work well with cacti?
For indoor cactus, use Miracle-Gro Succulent Plant Food, and for outdoor plants, use Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food. Don’t overwater or prune your cactus.
How frequently do cacti need to be watered?
The most frequent reason for cacti failure is improper watering, whether it is done too much or too little. Cacti have evolved to store water for extended periods of time and can maintain moisture through droughts because they are endemic to arid regions and dry temperatures. They have a limited capacity, which is why over-watering can result in a variety of issues.
When it comes to regularity, watering your cacti will largely depend on the season but also on the variety. Checking the soil is the easiest technique to determine whether your cactus needs water: It’s time for a drink if the top inch is dry. That entails applying the “soak and dry procedure” on cactus.
What is the soak and dry method?
The soak and dry technique is thoroughly wetting the soil until part of it begins to flow out the drainage hole, then waiting until the mixture is nearly dry before wetting it once more. If done properly, this strategy will help them endure a period of under-watering should you need to travel or leave the house because it takes use of their natural tendency to store water (or if you just get busy and watering falls to the wayside, as happens to all of us now and again).
Watering during the growing season versus the inactive season
Like with many houseplants, the season affects how frequently you need water. It becomes more crucial that you get in the habit of examining the soil to determine whether your cacti are thirsty. A healthy cactus needs watering every one to two weeks during the growing season, according to general wisdom. The frequency changes to once every three to four weeks during the off-season.
Even then, it’s crucial to examine the soil. The same way that not all interior spaces and not all cacti are alike. The only way to be certain that your cactus require watering is to carefully examine the soil to determine how dry it is because there are so many different factors.
How do I determine the health of my cactus?
Cacti enthusiasts are already aware that these desert plants can withstand the most extreme weather conditions. This does not imply that they are safe from illness, pest, or animal attacks. Cactus may tolerate some neglect, but it requires adequate care to be strong and flourish. A healthy cactus indicates strong chances and promise for future reproduction.
So how do I determine the health of my cactus? The physical characteristics of a cactus will show whether it is healthy. A healthy cactus has a robust, succulent stem, upright leaves, an equally green appearance, and strong roots, to name a few. A healthy cactus will be able to store a sizable amount of water without showing any indications of deterioration and will consistently produce brightly colored flowers during each flowering season.
The traits that distinguish a healthy cactus will be examined in this article. It will go over how to maintain the plant’s health and how to recognize any symptoms of ill health.
How can you spot a dying cactus?
When a cactus looks shriveled and husk-like, it is dead. Additionally, dead cacti can become unstable in their soil and topple over. They could start to smell rancid and becoming mushy, both of which are indicators that they are rotting. Cacti that are dead lose their spines and frequently appear brown.
How long does it take a cactus to reach its full size?
A cactus normally grows in 6 to 12 months. After two to three years, its potential is at its peak. Its length increases by 1-3 centimeters during this time.
The main cause of this delayed growth is survival. If their demands are not supplied by their immediate surroundings, cacti are adapted to live. The life cycle of a cactus is influenced by the intense heat and arid climate.
Take a peek at the five stages of a cactus’ life cycle; you might find it interesting.
How can you determine if a cactus has been overwatered or not?
The cactus won’t typically seem radically different from day to day because underwatering typically happens gradually over time.
There are a few indicators, nevertheless, that will let you know if your cactus is submerged.
Signs of an Underwatered Cactus
Knowing the warning signals of an underwatered cactus is crucial for prompt response. Your cactus will have a better chance of recovering if you do this.
The most typical warning indicators of a submerged cactus include:
The Cactus Is Light Green or Yellowish
Since this normally happens gradually over time, the color change might not be apparent right away.
If your cactus begin to become light green or yellowish, keep an eye out for more symptoms of an underwatered plant.
The Spines Are Falling off Easily
A well-watered cactus has roots that go far into the ground and take in water there.
Their root systems do not, however, work correctly while they are underwater because the dearth of nutrients in the soil leads them to wither away.
As a result, the spines become fragile and easily detach.
another typical indicator of a submerged cactus
The Cactus Is Wilting
Due to nutrient deficiency, their spines cannot support the plant adequately, which causes them to lose their shape.
As a result, plants that were formerly upright and in good shape gradually start to sag or droop.
Decay at the Base of the Plant
Roots will cease developing and begin to deteriorate over time if they are unable to absorb enough nutrients from the soil as a result of a lack of water, which will eventually result in decay at the base of the plant.
It’s possible that you won’t immediately notice whether or not your cacti are underwater because this normally happens gradually.
The New Growth on Your Cacti Is Weak and off Center With Older Growth
Lack of nutrients will have an impact on how a cactus develops new limbs.
In this instance, you’ll see that the younger growth is somewhat deformed and less symmetrical than the older ones-another indication that the cactus has been submerged.
Do cactus remain small?
Because they develop slowly and appear to stop growing as you watch them, most people do consider cactus and succulent plants to be little. Given that they can someday grow to be sizable, it is wiser to take the long view. You can select a plant kind that is smaller to prevent this.
An aloe vera plant can grow to a height of around 2 feet, which is manageable for the majority of indoor gardeners. They have cold gel in their spines that can be used to treat minor burns from cooking. They only require a sunny location and routine watering.
Another really hassle-free plant that won’t grow very big are air plants (Tillandsia sp.). They are frequently offered without soil and mounted on beautiful wood or in glass containers.
You may give your air plant a nice drink by routinely spraying it with water and submerging the entire plant every other week. Air plants absorb water through their leaves.
Due to the abundance of tiny pup shoots that these plants produce, they are known as hen and chicks. Your Sempervivum won’t outgrow the pot for many years if you remove the new plants. Even at full growth, it won’t be much wider than 4 to 6 inches.
You must regularly leave a clone or two in situ to replace the parent plant when it dies because the primary plant only lives for around 2 years.
A Christmas cactus really has no maximum size because it will always grow new leafy segments from the tips of its branches. One of these cacti can grow to reach about 2 feet in diameter in a few years. If that is too big for you, you can keep it trimmed, which we’ll talk about in the part after this one.
Try a “living stone plant” or a Lithops for the best in tiny succulents. They don’t become much bigger and have the appearance of two pebbles placed side by side. The initial pair of thick leaves will occasionally die off, and they will periodically produce a new pair from the center.
They can occasionally blossom from that central groove and produce their own young as they get older. However, there is no need to concern about needing to repot a large Lithops.
On the other hand, you should be aware of which succulent plants have a reputation for growing to enormous sizes so you may avoid them when making your selection. Even a basic barrel cactus can balloon up to 3 feet across by the time it stops growing, and jade plants can easily reach heights of 3 or more feet (and widths just as great).