7 Expert Tips To Take Care Of Your Cacti

Whether you are a new plant parent stemming from working from home or have been tending to houseplants for years, we all are looking for ways to add a bit of pep and beauty into our spaces these days. But you may be overlooking one type of low-maintenance plant: cacti.

That's right, these prickly plants are well worth adding to your greenery collection and may be much easier to care for than you thought. Below, Cecilia Thon, botanist and former plant research and development associate at Bloomscape, and Alfred Palomares, vice president of merchandising at 1-800-Flowers.com, share their helpful guidelines for taking care of cacti.

1. Give Your Cactus Enough Light

Let cacti soak up the sun—but not too much—and enjoy the heat. You want things to be just right for your prickly plant. "Cacti enjoy all the attention they can get from the sun and thrive in the direct light—place them in the warmest, sunniest corner of your home," says Thon.

A south or west-facing window with a few hours of direct sunlight works well. In low-light conditions, use a grow light to supplement natural lighting. Palomares also advises keeping cacti away from air conditioner vents or drafty windows since they enjoy warm, dry climates.

2. Give Plants An Outdoor Summer Vacation

Your cacti "would love to go outside for a summer vacation if you have a sunny patio or yard," Thon says. "They will thrive outside, and you will start to see them grow a lot quicker compared to being indoors. No need to worry about watering them when outdoors—the occasional rain shower should be enough for them!"

Don't bring the plants outside until nighttime lows are above 50°F. Slowly acclimate your indoor cacti by placing them in partial shade for filtered sunlight at first. Gradually expose the plants to more light so they don't get scorched during the transition to the outdoors. While cacti should be exposed to plenty of direct sunlight every day, it's also important to be mindful that they aren't getting too much.

"Cacti can get sunburned. While they love the sun they can turn yellow or brown, and if that starts to happen, move the cactus away from its light source to cool down," said Palomares.

Bring cacti back indoors at the end of summer before nighttime temperatures start to drop below 50°F.

3. Don't Overwater Cacti

Give your cactus a good drink when it's thirsty, with long breaks in between. After watering, empty excess water from the saucer, which can lead to rot.

"The reason most people fail with cacti is the tendency to over-water, which can lead to root rot and to scab, which appears as rusty-colored, corky areas on the stems," Thon says. "My advice is to err on the side of under-watering; most of the time you can bring them back from the dehydration stage with no issues."

Though cacti retain water in their stems and will survive without much water, "that doesn't mean they don't need watering at all," adds Palomares. "Be sure to check the soil every few weeks. If the first 2 to 3 inches of soil are dry, it's time to give the plant a drink."

The time of year also is a factor when determining how often to water because sun exposure varies with the seasons. You might water as frequently as every 10-14 days in the summer months and as rarely as every three or four weeks in the winter. But instead of following a set schedule, look for the top layer of soil to dry completely. At the same time, watch for indications that your plant is under stress.

"If you're noticing wrinkles on your cactus, particularly towards the base of your plant, your plant is very dry and a soak-watering is in order," Thon elaborates. "It may seem counterintuitive to give a cactus a large drink, but you'll be shocked at how your cactus will absorb the water and plump back up again."

4. Use The Right Soil

Using a soil mix tailored to cacti and other succulents is the key to a healthy plant. Regular potting soil contains more organic matter and retains too much moisture. "Cacti prefer soil that includes more sand and rocks, in order to drain water and keep the plant dry between drinks and prevent root rot," Palomares said. Also, use a container made of a breathable, porous material like terracotta, ceramic, or concrete, and make sure it has a drainage hole.

5. Use The Right Fertilizer

As for fertilizer, choose one specifically made for cacti or succulents, which will be low in nitrogen and higher in phosphorus and potassium. Dilute and apply according to the directions on the label.

"Water your cactus first, and then apply the fertilizer to damp soil so that it does not burn the roots," Thon said. "I would recommend fertilizing once during spring and once during summer. Cacti aren't huge feeders, so it isn't necessary to fertilize more often than that."

6. Choose An Easy Cactus Plant

We must admit we're partial to this beautiful desert wonder. "The prickly pear cactus [is] a playful and easy-to-care-for plant that is perfect for the person who wants to add some green to their home with limited time to care for a plant," suggests Thon. "Place your prickly pear cactus on a southeast or west-facing window sill that receives full, direct sunlight in the spring through fall."

More easy-to-grow cacti varieties include star cactus, golden barrel cactus, hedgehog cactus, and pincushion cactus, according to Clemson University's Cooperative Extension.

7. Handle Cacti Safely

You don't want to screech from a gnarly spiker from these plants. It is essential to wear protective gloves whenever you repot your cactus. You can even use kitchen tongs if it's helpful. This way, you can avoid unnecessary spikes and pricks. In addition to gloves and tongs, wrapping the cactus in a newspaper or a towel can help when repotting or pruning the plant. Carpet and rug scraps also are helpful to use when handling a cactus. While not poisonous, some people have allergic reactions to contact with a cactus.