How to Water your Cactus Plants

How to Water your Cactus Plants

Watering a cactus plant can be a little tricky. Cactus generally won’t show any signs for drought stress, and only offers a few cues that it needs water.

The basic rule is to add water when you feel the top 2 to 3centimeters of soil is dry. This also changes as per the season. For example in summers cacti need more water whereas in winter months water once in a month just enough to make sure the roots don’t die.

Regardless of the season, never let the plant stand in water. A waterlogged condition can really harm your plant. It quickly leads to rotting of the roots with disastrous consequences for the plant.

Here are some important points to remember:

• Cactus plants need watering and fertilizing, but not as frequently as other plants.
• Allow the soil to dry thoroughly between watering.
• Never give your cacti a large amount of water. These plants have evolved from a condition where there is a scarcity of water.
• Do not water during rainy spells, during winter (very rarely you need to water) or immediately after repotting.
• Some cactus varieties have dormant periods. Never water in those times.
• If you are using unglazed clay pots, you might need to water more frequently than say, if you are growing cactus in glazed clay or plastic pots.
• Small pots require more frequent watering than large pots.

Learn how to grow cactus in detail