Spring through fall tends to be a cactus’s growing season, when it needs more water. Learning when to water cactus can take a bit of trial and error. The holes in the bottom of the pot will be used to suck up water. Make sure that you discard the contaminated soil and use fresh soil when you replant your Cactus. Cactus will usually present the following symptoms: As with most plants, Trying to grow cacti in pots without holes is generally a miserable experience. brown. Large pots contain more potting medium and it takes longer for a cactus to absorb the water in the potting medium, or for the water to drain or evaporate. Once the soil is packed firmly around your saguaro cactus, it will not need water for … The best choice is a container that breathes easily such as a terracotta container. In the winter, you should cut back on watering desert-type cacti and do it only once a month. Spring through fall tends to be a cactus’s growing season, when it needs more water. How often holiday cacti need to be watered depends on a number of factors such as what the potting soil is made of, how big the container is, how much sunlight the plant receives and how warm the ambient temperature is. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Are you struggling with propagation? Escobaria Missouriensis ‘Missouri Foxtail Cactus’, Epiphyllum Anguliger ‘Fishbone Cactus’. Cacti tend to do best when they are watered thoroughly, and then left until the potting media has dried fully before being watered again. Warmer temperatures lead to increased evaporation from your cactus and from the soil surface. If you do not have one, you can stick your finger in the mud. smartgardenguide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other Amazon stores worldwide. When a plant grows in such conditions, you should water it every few days, particularly if it’s been in the sun. Another way to water the cactus is by immersing the pot in a container full of water so the soil can take up water through capillarity. Watering the plant too frequently will lead to root rot while watering too infrequently will result in the plant drying up, puckering and dying. Factors such as size of cactus, size of pot, temperature, humidity and season will all affect how often to water cactus plants. The Cactus will start to discolor. Only give the plant enough water to prevent it from shriveling up. If you keep your Christmas cactus outdoors where the climate is hot and dry, you may have to water once every two to three days, especially if the plant receives direct sunlight. For cacti, the best strategy is to provide a lot of water and then have the excess drain rapidly and the potting media dry quite quickly. Cactus has been documented by media houses as a desert plant, creating the impression that cactus do not need water to grow. As a result, the plant starts to change color and sometimes leaves How Often To Water Cactus (9 Essential Tips), Oxalis Triangularis Care - How To Grow Purple Shamrock, China Doll Plant Care (Radermachera sinica), How To Get Rid Of Mold In Houseplant Soil. The pot should be slightly larger than the root balls but still as small as possible. How often am I supposed to water it now? It can be done, but is much more likely to lead to root and stem rot. Cacti have very sensitive Most cacti do better in smaller pots, as they don’t like sitting in water for too long. Where do you place your potted cactus? are a few common mistakes that people make when it comes to watering an indoor Evaporation levels will be higher is arid conditions. cell walls to rupture which results in a mushy feeling when you gently press or The Cactus will start to appear as if it is rotting or decaying. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Cactus also need water to survive, but too much or too little will kill the plant. Interestingly, sometimes an overwatered cactus can sometimes show signs of underwatering due to the death of the roots caused by root rot. How often should I water it and what is this grafting thing I’m hearing about? Watching the Cactus for signs of distress is an important part of being a Cactus houseplant lover. On the contrary, the plant should be observed keenly to determine how often to water cactus. How Often Should I Water a Holiday Cactus? All Rights Reserved. You should also water cactus more often during the growing season, which is usually between spring and fall. Here are some tips to help you know how often you should water your cactus: During the growing season (March to September), cacti need regular fertilizing and watering. Wet potting mix will dry much faster as the air will have plenty of capacity to take up more water. Water the cactus and make sure the soil is bone dry before you water it again. they are very small and in a little pot on my desk. During each watering, give the soil a good s… Factors such as size of cactus, size of pot, temperature, humidity and … A slender and deeper container entices the cactus to grow downwards. That being said, how often you water them depends on how much light they’re getting & how warm your house temps are. The key to keeping a healthy plant is making sure it is placed in the right location and only watering when the soil mix is dry. While you can plant a Cactus in a container with no drainage holes, you will need to be extra careful with how much and how frequently you water. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Cactus: This is usually due to lack of know-how. As a general rule of thumb, the soil should completely dry out between watering. A good method is to water a cactus as follows: Dry climate, outdoors: Water every two to three days when warm and sunny; Humid, cool or indoors: Water every week; During the fall and winter months, the plants should be watered less frequently in order to promote blooming. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. On the other hand, if your Christmas cactus is kept indoors where it is cool or humid, it may only require watering once a week. Understanding the water requirements of your cactus is important. You can cut back watering by at least half or even more during this time. I’m here to share my experience and help you have more success and enjoyment growing plants. Take note of whether the roots are deep or wide to be able to select the best pot for the cactus. During summer and the active growing season, Cacti need frequent watering. Once you have evaluated how often to water cactus, you need to know how to go about it. There is no need to fertilize your cactus during the rest/dormant phase. However, you cannot water cactus on schedule. But Really, How Often Should I Water My Cactus? If your cactus is outdoors in a hot, dry climate, you might need to water every two to three days, especially if the plant has been in the sun.