How To Care For Cacti
WATERING TIPS:
Cactus need very little watering to survive. You should only water when the soil is completely dry. Overwatering will lead to moldy roots causing the plant to die. During the summer months you may need to water them every 1 and half – 2 weeks. In winter months they can last up to a month without any water. Avoid any standing water in the bottom of the pot.
SUNLIGHT REQUIREMENTS:
Cactus grow best when they receive bright, indirect sunlight. They are great plants for growing inside & out! If they are placed indoors, we recommend keeping them in an area that receives light for at least half the day. If they are planted outdoors we suggest planting them in an area that receives sunlight for the at least half the day.
WEATHER TOLERANCE:
Believe it or not, some cactus plants can survive freezing temperatures! The weather tolerance of your Cactus depends on the specific species. However, as a general rule of thumb, we recommend keeping your plants in temperatures warmer than 50°F.
Every plant is given a plant hardiness score from the United States Department of Agriculture. This score is used to determine the lowest temperature a plant can be exposed to while still being able to survive. The higher the plant hardiness zone number, the warmer the temperatures need to be for that plant to survive. Click the link below to find out the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone of your Cactus.
SOIL AND FERTILIZER USAGE:
The soil used for Cactus must be soil that does not retain water very well. All fertilizers used should be diluted to at least 1/2 strength to avoid harming the plant. You should only use fertilizers during their growing season (spring and summer). It is not required to fertilize your plant, it may just grow at a slower rate.
INSECT PROTECTION:
For the most part, a Cactus is a bug-free plant. The most common bug is the mealybug. If your plant obtains these bugs, we recommend lightly spraying them daily with mild, soapy water until all bugs are gone. For an in depth analysis on how to prevent and care for plants with bugs click here.
HISTORY:
The Cactus is easily one of the most recognized plant families in the world! They come in all different shapes and sizes ranging from a 2 inch Cactus to a 40 foot Cactus! The oldest Cactus plant was found in Utah and dates back 50 million years ago! The sharp thorns on the Cactus are used for protection against its predators.
