If a cactus has caught your eye as a low-maintenance houseplant, you’re in for a treat. An easy-to-care-for houseplant, cacti are an excellent choice. Knowing how often to water cactus plants can be a challenge while caring for them, since it is tempting to be overzealous with the watering can.
Cactus watering frequency Once the soil has dried fully, most cacti require watering. To determine whether to water a cactus, keep an eye on the plant’s health and the dryness of the potting mix. Size of the cactus, pot size, temperature, humidity, and time of year all determine how often cactus plants need to be watered.
Understanding your cactus’ water needs is critical. Succulents, such as cacti, are built to retain water in their roots and stems in order to withstand dry conditions. The water needs of each cactus vary, but there are a variety of strategies to ensure that you never forget to water your plant.
How Often Should I Water My Indoor Cactus?
A lot of people think that cacti only need a few sips of water here and there, and while this is true, they do need a steady supply of water.
When properly watered, they actually thrive. When cacti are irrigated well and then allowed to dry out completely before being watered again, they do best.
Cactus watering frequency can be influenced by a variety of factors, including the rate at which the potting medium dries out.
When it comes to watering cactus plants, these are the most important considerations to keep in mind.
1- Cactus Size
It’s reasonable to expect that a larger cactus will necessitate more frequent watering. As a result, smaller cacti require and use more water than larger cacti because of their rapid growth.
Water evaporation from a larger cactus is reduced because of the decreased surface area to volume ratio. Although it’s common practice to water larger cacti, it may be necessary to water smaller and faster-growing cacti on a regular basis because they’re housed in smaller pots.
2- When watering a cactus, the size of the pot has an impact.
It takes longer for cacti to absorb the water in the potting medium or for the water in the potting medium to drain or evaporate in large pots.
Due to the decreased surface area to volume ratio of larger pots, they are also more expensive. Cacti in large pots may only require watering once every four to six weeks, however cacti in small pots may need to be watered every week or less.
Most cacti prefer smaller pots because they don’t want to be submerged for long periods of time. If you have a cactus in an overly large pot, it is quite difficult to avoid root rot, therefore if you are experiencing troubles, repot your cactus into a smaller container.
3-Pot and Drainage Types
The best way to water cactus is to use a lot of water and then allow the excess to drain fast so that the potting medium may dry out quickly. The drying time of potting material will be slowed down by the use of plastic pots.
To speed up drying time, the water in your potting media will seep out of your terracotta pot’s walls and evaporate into the air, making drying much more efficient.
Additionally, pots with a lot of drainage holes are better because they allow excess water in potting media to quickly drain out of the pot. In general, cactus in pots without holes are a terrible experience to attempt to grow. Root and stem rot are more likely to occur if this is done. My words are based on personal bitterness!
4- Potting Media There are four different kinds of potting media.
Making sure the potting media is quick draining is essential for successful growing of cacti. This plant. Any commercial cactus mix, or a DIY mixture of potting soil, gritty sand, and perlite, will do the job just well. Excess water can be swiftly drained from the soil with a well-draining mix. Your cactus will thank you for it, but you’ll have to water more frequently.
5- Temperature and Airflow Affect Cactus Plant Watering Frequency
Increased evaporation from your cactus and the soil surface occurs as a result of warmer temperatures. In addition, when the temperature rises, so does the plant’s demand for water.
Watering your cactus may only be necessary every 4-6 weeks in the cooler winter months when the plant isn’t growing much, but in the hot summer months when the plant is actively developing, you may need to check on the potting mix every few days.
Cacti are fantastic since they can withstand being submerged for long periods of time. There’s no harm in watering cactus a little too slowly, but overdoing it is the root of the problem.
Evaporation is boosted by both temperature and airflow. In the summer, the ventilation will be much higher and the water requirements will increase significantly, so keep this in mind if you decide to relocate your cactus outside.
6- A Cactus’ Watering Frequency Is Affected By Humidity
In arid conditions, the evaporation rate will be higher. It will take significantly less time for wet potting mix to dry because the air has the capacity to absorb more water.
When care for most indoor plants, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the humidity levels, which can help you anticipate water needs. Cacti thrive in dry environments, although they can thrive in damp interiors as well if soil dryness is closely monitored.
7- Consider the Lighting Situation
Your cactus soil will dry out more quickly if it is exposed to direct sunshine. A cactus placed in a south-facing window will require more regular watering than one placed in a north-facing window, which is cooler.
8- A Cactus’s Species Affects How Often To Water
A cacti’s watering needs are similar to those of other plants. Watering frequency will vary depending on the sort of cactus that you have chosen to cultivate in your home. You should consult the specific type of cactus for guidance on how often to water your cactus, as some want more water than others.
9- As the seasons change, the water needs of cactus plants will change as well.
Cacti require a lot of water throughout the hottest months of the year. Because they are dormant in the winter, cacti generally require less water. During this time, you should reduce your watering by at least half, if not more.
I’ve written another essay regarding how much water to give your cactus when watering it, and I think it matches well with this one. In order to water your cactus correctly, it’s essential to understand how they react to water in their natural habitat.
Cactus Potting Mix Dryness Detection
Regardless of the time of year, there is a simple technique to tell if your cactus needs to be watered. It is a good rule of thumb to wait until the soil has totally dried up before watering again.
However, how can the soil at the base of the pot be checked for dryness?
One or more alternatives exist.
- To check for moisture, insert a finger into one of the drainage holes at the bottom.
- To go down to the bottom of the potting mix, gently insert a stick or skewer. Remove it and wait a few seconds. Leave it for a little longer if the stick seems or feels damp.
- Make little holes in the top several inches of potting soil with your finger. You can irrigate the soil if it seems dry all the way down. You can wait a little longer if the dirt is still damp and sticks to your finger.
Indoor Cactus Watering: A Step-by-Step Guide
Most houseplant owners aren’t sure how much water their Cactus needs after they realize it needs watering.
Your cactus should be given a thorough watering so that the water drains out of the drainage holes. You don’t want to flood the soil by doing this more than once. During the growing season, a mild fertilizer can be used to feed your cactus.
A fertilizer that has equal levels of Potassium, Nitrogen and Phosphorous should be mixed with water and added to your watering can during the growing season for best results. Your cactus does not need to be fed during this time.
Because plants need less water and nutrients when they’re dormant, you can extend the amount of time between waterings during this time. Avoid overwatering the plant during this time. To keep the plant from shriveling, only water it sufficiently.
Signs That Your Cactus Isn’t Getting Enough Water
As a result of a lack of water, a thirsty cactus will exhibit the following symptoms:
- As the Cactus expends its water reserves, it will typically pucker or shrivel.
- Discoloration of the cactus will begin soon. Cacti turn brown or lose their natural blackness or brightness as a sign of aging.
- As the Cactus loses moisture, it will begin to dry out and become calloused.
When a cactus houseplant displays these signs, many people become alarmed. It’s a good thing that watering a cactus too much is just as bad as watering it too little.
As soon as you notice evidence that your cactus has been underwatered, you can fix the problem by thoroughly watering it. In a short period of time, the plant should swell up and return to its usual color. Cacti that have been under-watered recover more quickly and easily than those that have been over-watered.
A Cactus That Has Been Over-Watered: How To Spot Them Before They Die
A cactus that is overwatered suffers far more damage than one that is underwatered. If the cactus has been overwatered, it should be clear.
Overwatering will show up as a mushy, puckered Cactus. Squeezing or pressing the Cactus will give you a wet, squishy feeling since the plant’s cell walls have ruptured due to excessive water absorption. One of the most telling signs of an overwatered or underwatered cactus is its squishy texture.
Cacti that have been over-watered typically display the following symptoms:
- The cactus’ stems and leaves will begin to turn a different shade of green. Typically dark brown or black.
- The Cactus’s base will begin to turn brown or black.
- The cactus will swell and begin to leak.
- Eventually, the Cactus will appear to be dying or rotting.
As with other plants, root rot is the most common cause of these symptoms. Cacti’s root systems are extremely delicate and vulnerable to root rot. Water and nutrients cannot be properly absorbed by the plant when the roots have rotted. A change in hue occurs, and the plant’s leaves may droop, shrivel, or even fall off.
Root rot isn’t often obvious when it first appears. Despite the fact that your plant may appear normal from the exterior for some time, you may one day notice that its lower stem is turning dark and a little slimy. This is terrible!
Root rot can cause an overwatered cactus to show signs of underwatering because the roots have died off. When the roots of a plant are drowned, water cannot reach the remainder of the plant, and as a result, the plant can become severely dehydrated.
Cactus Root Rot: What You Should Do If You Have Any Doubts
Inspect the roots for any damage. Take a careful look at the roots of the Cactus by removing it from the pot or container. In terms of color, they should be white. Root rot occurs if the roots get black, brown, or mushy.
The plant can be salvaged if there are still some healthy-looking white roots. To remove the plant’s tainted roots, you’ll need a pair of clean shears. Avoid spreading disease to other plants by thoroughly cleaning your shears after removing the rotted roots.
It’s best to repot the cactus in a well-draining mix and wait a week before watering it again. When replanting your Cactus, be sure to discard the tainted dirt and use fresh soil.
Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing When to Water Cacti
When purchasing a new Cactus for your home, there are a few things to keep in mind. If you’ve ever tried to water an indoor cactus, you’ve probably made one of the mistakes listed below:
Watering Too Much, or Not Enough
In most cases, this is due to a lack of expertise. Knowing what kind of cactus you have will help you figure out how much water it needs. cactus type Root rot can occur if the plant is watered too frequently, while overwatering can cause the plant to dry out, pucker, and die. Getting the right balance is the key.
Ignoring the Cactus’ Nutritional Requirements
It is a prevalent belief that Cacti do not need any additional fertilizer in order to thrive. Since the plant is regarded as hardy and drought-resistant, this may be the reason.
Adding a small amount of diluted fertilizer to your Cacti’s water can help them thrive. Do not go overboard, of course. Keep liquid fertilizer in your watering can at a quarter of its recommended strength all year long, and don’t use more than that.
It is possible to burn the plant or cause a buildup in the soil that damages the root system and causes the leaves to turn brown/yellow and fall off if too much fertilizer is used.
It’s Using the Wrong Box
Containers for cacti must have enough drainage holes to prevent water from pooling at the bottom, which can cause root rot. A Cactus can be grown without drainage holes, but you’ll need to be especially careful about how much and how often you water..
A terracotta container, for example, is the ideal option for a container that can be easily ventilated. It’s best to use a pot with built-in drainage holes so the cactus mix won’t clog those holes up later on.
Choosing the Wrong Medium of Planting
Cacti require a fast-draining growth medium. Since the Cactus is considered the most hardy plant in existence, many people fail to notice this fact.
Root rot can occur if you use the wrong potting soil for your Cactus. To get the greatest results, either purchase or manufacture your own succulent or cactus potting mix.
Misuse of the Wrong Type of Water
Even though some municipal tap water is perfectly safe for your cactus, others contain significant concentrations of dissolved minerals and toxins, such as fluoride, chlorine, and chloramines.
It’s possible that distilled water or collected rainfall could help your cactus survive if you can’t figure out what’s wrong with it.
Lastly,
When it comes to watering cacti, it might be a bit of a learning curve. Cactus lovers know how vital it is to keep an eye out for any signs of trouble with their plants. If you want to know when to water your cactus and when not to, you must keep an eye on it and the potting mix. You won’t look back once you learn how to tell when your cacti need watering and your plants will thrive.
