Light
Cacti like as much bright indirect light as you can provide. Introduce a cactus plant to direct sunlight gradually to prevent sunburn. The ideal location for a small cactus pot is on the windowsill of a south-facing window.
Water
Allow the soil of a cactus to almost totally dry out before watering, then water deeply and thoroughly. Never allow a Cactus to sit in water. A cactus requires more water in the spring, summer, and early fall when it is growing than in the winter. Over-watering is the main reason cactus plants die.
Fertilizer
Use a fertilizer low in nitrogen and high in potassium at 1/4 the recommended strength. The type of fertilizer used for tomatoes works well. Fertilize monthly in the late spring and summer when a cactus is actively growing. Do not fertilize the rest of the year.
Temperature
An indoor cactus plant likes temperatures between 60°-80°F (15.6°-26.7°C)
Humidity
This plant comes from the desert and does well in very low humidity.
Flowering
After a 3 month resting period and under proper conditions, a cactus plant may bloom during the late fall and winter.
Pests
Even plants full of thorns get pests. These plants are susceptible to Mealy Bugs, scale, spider mites, and Aphids. scale is usually found around the thorns and can be scrapped off with a child's toothbrush. Spray the green solution (recipe in the Glossary) to get rid of any other cactus pests.
Diseases
Over-watering leads to crown, stem, and root rot.
Soil
Use a fast-draining, porous, sandy soil to prevent over-watering and root-rot. You can purchase special cactus/ succulent soil at a nursery or make your own.
Pot Size
Vertical cactus plants need pots that have a diameter 1/2 the height of the plant. Horizontal cactus plants need pots that have a diameter 2" larger than width of the plant. If a cactus plant starts to topple, place it in a deeper pot.
Propagation
A cactus plant is propagated by seeds, plant division, and plant cuttings. plant cuttings are definitely the easiest method.
Resting Period
A cactus needs less water and cooler temperatures in the winter when it is resting.
Poisonous Plant Info
This is a poisonous plant with a #2 Toxicity level.