Q&A for How to Grow Cactus Indoors

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  • Question
    My cactus splits like an over ripe tomato. What should I do?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    Reduce your watering to once a month or even once every other month, depending on the humidity level in your house. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings.
  • Question
    Do Christmas cacti have a dormancy period after they bloom? Should I put it in a dark closet?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    You do not need to put the Christmas cactus in a dark closet for it to have a dormancy period. Reduce watering and fertilizing. Placing the cactus in a cooler window will assist with dormancy.
  • Question
    How to fertilize the cactus?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    The best fertilizer for your indoor cactus is a balanced one, to ensure that all the nutrients needed are provided. The ratios of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus will depend on what you want the plant to achieve: growth (higher nitrogen ratio), more flowering (higher potassium ratio) or greater disease resistance (higher phosphorus ratio). Use liquid fertilizer, it should be at a quarter to half strength, as cacti are not heavy feeders; apply during watering when it’s the growing season. If the cactus is receiving little light indoors, do not give it too much fertilizer or it will produce weak growth.
  • Question
    How much do you water a cactus?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Most cacti need the soil to almost dry out before receiving their next watering, so weekly or biweekly watering is often appropriate. Many garden and potted cacti suffer from over-watering but it is also possible to let the soil dry out too much if the cactus is left unwatered a long time, especially with potted varieties. To know how much water to give a cactus, check the soil: if it’s moist, don’t water but if it’s dry or nearly dry, it’s time to water. Cacti need less water during winter, dormancy or cold/wet weather and need more water during the growing season. Water early morning, to allow the day’s warmth to dry off any excess water on the spikes and crevices of the cactus.
  • Question
    What are good cactus for indoors with no direct sunshine but some sunlight?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    There are some species of cacti that are fine with low light, and these are probably a good choice for your situation. Some species worth considering for this purpose include: Rebutia and Scarlet Ball Cactus. Moreover, since you’ve said there is still sunlight, you can probably grow quite a few other cacti suited to indoor environments, and they’ll appreciate not risking sunburn from direct sunlight through a window.
  • Question
    My windowsills are low enough to the ground for my children and pets to mess with. Any place else to move my cactus?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Try putting the pot on a high and stable shelf or top of a wardrobe that you can reach but the children and pets cannot; use a stepping stool to water it if needed. If the cactus can go outdoors, fence it off somewhere in your garden; fencing off can produce various benefits, such as avoiding injuries on the spines, allowing specific soil amendments suited to cacti and ensuring that the lawnmower doesn’t accidentally chop it.
  • Question
    Is it ok to plant cactus in fancy glasses with stones at the bottom for drainage?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    If the glass has no hole at the base to allow the water to drain out, this will not work for the cactus. A cactus needs free-draining soil that is moist when watered but dries out over the days and weeks after water. Too much water in the soil can cause the cactus to rot. Also, if the glass is placed in front of direct sunlight through a window, there is a risk of too much sunlight hitting the small area of soil through the transparent glass and overheating the cactus, which can kill it given that the cactus has so little soil to protect its roots. It would be better to use an opaque container with drainage.
  • Question
    Can you grow prickly pear cactus indoors?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Yes, you can grow prickly pear cactus indoors. You need to provide it with a full day of sunshine though, so position it at a window where it gets direct sunshine for most of the day. Use potting soil that drains well and only water about every 2 to 3 weeks, making the soil moist, not wet. This cactus loves heat, so try to give it a warm environment as much as possible (although cold nights are fine). If the plant gets too wet or cold, it may grow fungus, so use a fungicide if needed. For blooms, you’ll need to fertilize the plant biannually. If possible, take the plant outside during the warmer months.
  • Question
    Do you need to remove dead flowers?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Usually the spent flowers will fall off on their own and you don’t need to remove them. Some exceptions may be where the flower gets stuck in the cactus spines or it doesn’t fall off but looks as if it is starting to rot. In each case, removal with long-stemmed tweezers would be helpful for preventing rot or disease. Also remove flowers that land in the soil of a potted cactus, to avoid creating an environment for growing fungus when watered; this may not be an issue outdoors provided the weather is warm. Spent fruit should be removed as it can cause the plant to rot if left in place.
  • Question
    Do cactus need a lot of sunlight?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Some cacti need a lot of sunlight, while others will happily grow indoors without sun provided they have a good source of light. Too much sunlight can be just as bad as too little for some species of cacti; sunburned cacti will display bleaching on the side of the plant exposed to sunshine, which can become a scar. Both shade-loving cacti and even sun-loving cacti that has spent most of its life growing in shade but then gets moved into the sunlight too quickly can be damaged from too much sunlight. It’s important to learn the requirements for the cactus species you wish to grow, then choose its indoor or outdoor positions accordingly.
  • Question
    How do I take care of a cactus?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Many cacti species marketed for home growing are fairly easy to care for but don’t be fooled by their hardiness; they still need attention and care. Broadly, the needs of a cactus involve providing the right conditions -- sufficient light, temperatures between 5ºC-40ºC (40-104ºF), weekly watering but also accounting for dormancy and growth periods, and suitable fertilizer. Cacti also need regular pest, disease and rot checks, to ensure their ongoing health. For full details on cactus care, see How to Care for a Cactus .
  • Question
    Why is my indoor cactus so much smaller than my outdoor one?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Indoor cacti have to contend with a less optimal environment than their outdoor cousins. The reduced light, different heat, lack of rainwater, varying humidity, etc., can cause indoor cacti to mature much more slowly. Indoor cacti can be prone to rot, disease or pest infestations and may be burned from the sun through a too-hot window placement. All of these things can stunt the growth of the indoor cactus. Try shifting the cactus to a different spot, depending on what you think it might be missing out on.
  • Question
    My cactus is dying, what should I do?
    Community Answer
    Repot your cactus in new, dry soil. Water it every three weeks and give it a lot of sunlight.
  • Question
    Where should I place my cactus?
    Community Answer
    On a windowsill that will access plenty of light. When moving the cactus, move it gradually, so as to avoid scorching.
  • Question
    What kind of pot is best?
    Community Answer
    Get a pot that has a drainage hole at the bottom. Cacti need adequate drainage. If the pot doesn't have a drain hole, the soil will become waterlogged and lead to root rot, which can kill your cactus.
  • Question
    My cactus arms are shrinking inward and feel spongy. Is this due to too much water, or too little?
    Community Answer
    It's too little, because too much water would make it store that water, and the arms would grow outwards.
  • Question
    How much water will the cactus need each month?
    Community Answer
    Use one cup of water every three weeks and make sure it drains out of the bottom, so there is no damage to the roots of the cactus.
  • Question
    Why i my cactus turning yellow?
    Community Answer
    This is normal for cacti to do, and there are solutions. One way you could fix your cactus being yellow is to give it less water. Remember that cacti originally come from the desert, where they get little water. Secondly, try giving it fertilizer suited for cacti. Last but not least, change the soil -- they don't need black nutrient rich soil -- they need sand, gravel or rocky soil. These solutions should help your cactus/cacti in need.
  • Question
    Does a cactus need draining?
    Community Answer
    Yes, cacti do need adequate drainage. Remember that cacti come from the desert and live in sand, which does not hold water well. So, they need drainage as they'd have in their natural habitat. If you do not have adequate drainage, your cactus/cacti will start to turn yellow and slowly turn a weird brown, then die. Drainage pots can be bought at any store that has a plant section. Also use the proper potting medium to ensure great drainage.
  • Question
    Can I grow a cactus from a cutting that has no roots?
    Community Answer
    Yes, that is called propagation. It's best to propagate using new growths on the cactus.
  • Question
    How do I grow Christmas cactus snips?
    Community Answer
    Fill the pot with potting soil and water it thoroughly and using a spoon, make a hole in the soil. Place the snip of Christmas cactus in the hole about 1 inch (2.5cm) deep and scoop soil around it and press it down gently. Keep it moist and it will start rooting.
  • Question
    Where is the best place to purchase my cactus?
    Community Answer
    Purchase a cactus from a specialized shop which sells different types of plants and not from street sellers. This will ensure that you will get a high quality, resistant cactus.
  • Question
    My fish died recently, and I saw an idea to put your fish in a pot with a plant; my family thinks I should use a cactus because they don't die easily.
    Community Answer
    Fish has been used as a plant fertilizer for centuries to impart nitrogen and trace minerals to the soil. However, in a pot with limited soil, you may be able to smell it.
  • Question
    Can I grow cacti and succulents in a pot?
    Jim Bethel
    Community Answer
    Yes. Make sure you're using a soil that will drain well, such as crushed lava rock, sand, etc. Let the substrate dry out between waterings and give plenty of sunlight, and you will grow them easily.
  • Question
    Do I need to move my cactus out of its pot as soon as I buy it?
    Jim Bethel
    Community Answer
    There is no need to move it unless it is too big for the pot. Increase the pot size by two inches when it is time.
  • Question
    What is the difference between cacti and succulents?
    Community Answer
    Cacti grow in the desert and have spines for protection, while succulents are smooth and grow in tropical areas. However, they are the same in numerous ways; for example, they both store water.
  • Question
    How low can the temperature go in a room where a cactus is?
    Community Answer
    Typically if the temperature gets below 60 degrees F, the plant will go dormant. They don't handle anything below 50 degrees F very well.
  • Question
    Why do the roots on my cacti grow up towards the surface?
    Community Answer
    Try repotting the cactus in a bigger bowl, and make sure it's deep enough that your cactus can fit with extra space in the bottom for the roots.
  • Question
    How do I plant a cactus without getting pricked?
    Community Answer
    The best way to plant a cactus without getting pricked is to use strong kitchen roll. Depending on the width of your cactus, use 1-2 sheets and fold it length ways until you have a long, thick strip of kitchen roll. Gently place the strip around the cactus near the base and pinch the two ends together close to the plant. The kitchen roll will grip onto the spines and then you can tip the pot on its side and gently pull the cactus from the current pot and place it in the new one. (You can also use garden gloves but this tends to damage spines.)
  • Question
    My cactus have sunk into its plotting soil and it seems to be going mushy. What is wrong?
    Jim Bethel
    Community Answer
    It sounds like it's being watered too much. Make sure the soil has a chance to dry out completely between waterings. You could try repotting it in dry soil, and do not water for a couple of weeks.
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