With their body covered in thorns, cacti differ significantly from classic indoor plants. This difference is not only noticeable visually, but also in terms of care. We have summarized for you here how you can take good care of cacti in your room.

Cacti are distinctive, easy-care houseplants

Watering alternating between abundance and scarcity - this is how it works

The water supply should simulate natural conditions. Desert cacti thrive as succulents that store water during periods of rainy weather to survive dry periods in one piece. Cacti are therefore not used to a permanently moist substrate. How to water houseplants properly:

  • Let the substrate almost dry out
  • Let soft, lime-free water run onto the root disc until the saucer fills up
  • Only water small cacti again after about a week
  • Take a watering break of 4 to 6 weeks on large cactus species

Since all cacti cannot stand calcareous, hard water, please only use rainwater or decalcified tap water. Please spray leaf cacti every 1 to 2 days. In addition, the substrate on these plants should not dry out as much as desert cacti would like.

Fertilizing and watering go hand in hand

Feeding cacti indoors is straightforward. From March to September, add some liquid cactus fertilizer to the water every second watering.

In winter, moving to the bedroom is desirable

If cacti continue to linger in the well-heated living room in winter, the next flowering period will be poor. By modifying the site conditions and care as follows, overwinter the plants species-appropriately:

  • Wear to a light, cool bedroom from November to February
  • At 5 to 12 degrees Celsius, do not water or water minimally
  • Don't give fertilizer

At the beginning of March, the rested cacti move to their regular place on the sunny, warm window sill. Now spray the plants with lime-free water to signal the end of winter dormancy. A week later, water and fertilize the indoor plants as usual.

tips

Winter-blooming leafy cacti have established themselves as one of the most popular indoor plants. Above all, the Christmas cactus (Schlumberga), which puts on its blossoms just in time for the festival. In contrast to desert cacti, cacti without spines prefer a semi-shady, humid location and thrive all year round at normal room temperatures.

Category:

Vegetable garden