Q&A for How to Save a Dying Cactus

You water them just once a week. Give the plant a good soaking until water comes out of the drain holes in the bottom of the pot.

This is mainly due to a lack of water drainage in the pot. Make sure the pot has drainage holes and empty the tray underneath the pot if water collects in it.

The most common reason is due to overwatering. Try watering less frequently.

The majority of problems with cactus is due to overwatering, and sometimes underwatering.

Develop a consistent watering regimen as soon as you can. You should only water your cactus as needed, because overwatering can be just as dangerous as under-watering.

Stress can be caused by any change in the cactus' normal environment. Changes in sunlight, watering, and temperature can all bring on stress. Repotting can, too.

Then you probably overwatered it. Cacti are desert plants and not suited for the amounts of water normal plants need.

Take a cutting and propagate it to grow a new cactus.

It could just be a nutrient problem, but more likely it’s a light issue combined with over- or under-watering. If it’s in an area that receives full direct sun throughout the day, move it to a new location with some shade a couple of hours of the day, and the same goes for water. If it’s receiving too much water, it will turn yellow. I suspect that if your cactus was dark green, and has now become lime green, it is about to turn yellow due to its environmental conditions.

Cut the shriveled part off up to the green, firmer, healthy looking part of the cactus and set to grow a heel or scab over the wound where it was cut. Set it aside for a couple days to a couple weeks, then replant in a cactus-friendly medium.

Yes, some do.

You are overwatering it, cut down on the water and move it to a windowsill. If it comes out of the dirt and falls over, wait 10 days, then cut off the roots and replant it.

Yes, you should be able to revive it with proper care.

These are new sections, you can take them off and propagate them in dry gardening soil.

First, determine if it is a cactus that flowers. There are many kinds of cacti and not all of them flower, so if yours is one that doesn't flower, there's nothing you can do to encourage it. If it is a flowering type, encourage it by giving it lots of sunlight and ideal conditions and by fertilizing with a cactus and succulent fertilizer that encourages flowers. Occasionally they will also flower when they are stressed, however, this is not a reliable method in my experience as you may end up just killing the cactus.

In my experience, this can be caused by insufficient sunlight, so make sure your cactus is receiving adequate light.

You can save the plant, just follow the steps in the article. Water it lightly once a month, don't overwater it while trying to "save" it. Cacti can live in a drought for a while, just keep an eye on it.

Try replanting it somewhere else. If the root was cut, it shouldn't affect the way the plant grows, as long as you take care of it.

You should replant it in a less sunny area. Too much sun exposure can cause the cactus to turn yellow/brown. Let it spend a few weeks in its new location. If the spot are still there, cut them off up to the green area.

I would cut it off and let the cactus recover. If it doesn't, it may be time to replace it.

Yes, but put it in a not so sunny place for 5 days first, then you can place it in the sun.

No! You can cut the good parts off and plant them or if you do not want to start over, you can try reporting the whole thing and only watering it once a month. Try not to water it a lot next time though!

No, it is more likely that it is just going dry on the outside, but is still healthy on the inside, like when your hands get dry and cracked in winter.

It is likely because somebody or something bit it. A few potential candidates may be: toddler, baby, fox, dog, cat, or rabbit, depending on where it is located.