Don’t know how often you need to water cactus? We have answers that might surprise you. We will also tell you how much water a cactus needs, and what to do if you suspect your cactus has root rot.
How often to water a cactus? Once the soil is completely dry, most cacti should be watered. This could be every 10 to 14 days during the warmer seasons.
When watering a cactus, pay attention to the health of the plant and how dry the potting soil is rather than following a schedule. Factors such as the size of the cactus, size of the pot, temperature, humidity, and season will all affect how often to water cactus plants.
Keep reading.
What Makes Cacti Difficult to Water?
Although cacti are fairly hardy, they require a different amount of watering than other hardy houseplants like spider plants and pothos. Given that cacti don’t require as frequent watering, it can be quite simple to overwater or underwater them if you aren’t used to taking care of them.
Knowing their preferences is important because not doing so can lead to either drowning your plant or overwatering it to the point where it shrivels up.
How Often Should You Water a Cactus?
The most frequent reason for cacti failure is improper watering, whether it is done too much or too little. Cacti have evolved to store water for extended periods of time and can maintain moisture during droughts because they are native to desert regions and drier climates. They have a limited capacity, which is why overwatering can result in numerous issues.
How often you water your cacti will depend a bit on the variety but mostly on the season, as far as frequency is concerned. Checking the soil to see if the top inch is dry will let you know when your cactus needs water. For cacti, that means using the “soak and dry” method.
Use the Soak and Dry Method
The soak and dry method calls for thoroughly watering the soil until water begins to drip out of the drainage hole, then waiting until the mixture has almost completely dried before watering again. This approach takes advantage of the cactus’ ability to store water. If used properly, this method will enable the cactus to survive a period of submersion in the event that you must leave your home or go on vacation (or if you simply become too busy and forget to water it, as happens to all of us occasionally).
Water During the Growing Season Versus the Inactive Season
Like with many houseplants, the season affects how frequently you should water. You must get into the habit of examining the soil to determine whether your cacti are thirsty as this habit becomes more and more crucial. A healthy cactus should typically receive water every one to two weeks during the growing season, according to the general rule of thumb. The frequency changes to once every three to four weeks during the off-season.
No Matter What Your Watering Schedule Is, Check the Soil
Because not all cacti are created equal and not all indoor environments are the same, this is significant. Only by carefully examining the soil to determine how dry it is will you be able to determine whether your cactus needs to be watered due to the large number of variables.
How Much Water Does a Cactus Need?
The precise volume of water your cactus will require is difficult to predict. Using less is always preferable to using excessive amounts.
After the medium has dried completely, it is a good idea to water thoroughly.
When the soil is moist but not drenched or saturated, run it through the container. Never leave the pot soaking in it; make sure that all the excess drains from the bottom holes.
Signs of An Underwatered Cactus
The most frequent reason for cacti health issues is overwatering, but underwatering can also occur. Either one could be detrimental to your cactus. Keep a close eye on your cactus for indications of improper watering. Look out for these symptoms of underwatering:
- The cactus is discoloring, turning light green or yellowish
- Its spines are turning brown or falling off
- The cactus is wilting
- Pads are withering or drooping
- The base of the cactus is decaying and turning brown
Simply water it well and wait for it to recover if you notice any of the aforementioned symptoms.
Signs of An Overwatered Cactus
Since the effects of excess water are frequently permanent, it can be more harmful to your plant’s health than underwatering. Here are signs that you may have overwatered your cactus:
- The skin of some of the cactus pads are starting to split
- Pads seem to have wrinkles or folds
- The soil remains moist for too long
- The pads and base of cactus are turning brown or black
- Plants appear overly plump
Top watering tips:
What to Do If You Suspect Your Cactus Has Root Rot
You must examine the roots. Examine the roots closely after removing the cactus from its pot or container. They ought to be white in hue. Root rot is present if the roots are dark brown, black, or mushy.
The plant can still be saved if there are any healthy-looking white roots left. To remove the plant’s contaminated roots, use clean shears. To prevent disease from infecting other plants, make sure to thoroughly clean the shears after removing the root rot.
The cactus can be replanted in dry potting soil with good drainage; wait about a week before watering. When replanting your cactus, be certain to toss out the contaminated soil and use fresh soil.
FAQs
How Do You Water a Cactus Indoors?
The best way to water cacti is to completely saturate the soil with rainwater or distilled water, then stop when water begins to drain from the drainage hole in the potting container.
How Often Do You Water a Cactus?
Spring and summer: every 10–14 days; fall and winter: every 4–6 weeks.
How Do You Know When a Cactus Needs Water?
When the soil is entirely or nearly entirely dry, water a cactus. To check the moisture level of the soil, use a hygrometer or your finger.
How Long Should I Water My Cactus?
When it’s time to water, thoroughly soak the soil until water flows through the drainage holes in the pot.
Summary: How Often to Water Cactus?
It can take some trial and error to determine when to water cactus. A crucial aspect of loving cacti as indoor plants is keeping an eye out for any signs of distress. The most crucial thing to keep in mind is to keep an eye on your cactus and the potting mix to determine when to water it and when not to. When you learn how to tell when your cactus needs watering, you won’t need to look back, and your cacti will be flourishing.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment. My Prime Home tries to give you the best furniture information. Thank you for reading.
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