Cacti Plant Care

The cactus family, Cactaceae, gets its name from the Ancient Greek word ‘kaktos’ which was used to describe plants with spiny thistles. As they have water-storage tissues in their stems, all cacti are in fact considered succulents! What differentiates Cacti from Succulents is not necessarily just having spikes, it is actually the presence of areoles. Areoles are small, round bumps on the surface of the plant from which spines, hairs, and flowers grow. There are over 1700 species of cacti, and nearly all of these plants originate from only the North and South Americas! Be sure to let the soil dry completely between waterings. Reduce the amount of water being given in the winter dormant period. Similar to succulents, under-watering is better than overwatering as this is the leading cause of death for cacti!

For most cacti, high-light conditions are optimal. They enjoy being placed in a sunny, southern-facing window.
When potting your cacti, be sure to use loose, well-draining soil as soil too rich with clay can lead to root rot. Cactus potting mix can be purchased at most garden shops. Gardening gloves might also come in handy; try not to get poked!
Cacti do well in temperatures no less than 50°F. Although it is not necessarily needed, feeding cacti can help to encourage growth. A liquid fertilizer higher in phosphorus than nitrogen can be applied 2-3 times a year from spring to fall.
These plants are typically very slow growing, so don’t fret if it looks like not much is happening, and just give them some time. Cacti are flowering plants and if kept happy and healthy, will eventually reward you with striking blooms!
Due to their hardy nature, cacti traditionally symbolize protection and endurance. They make especially good companions for those with a determined personality!