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• Method 1 of 2: Immediate care
• Method 2 of 2: Ensure long-term health

If you notice that your cactus is discolored and has drooping leaves or parts, there are a number of possible causes. Diagnose the problem first and then immediately provide appropriate care. Then take steps to give your cactus the best chance of survival by providing suitable soil, light and environmental conditions.

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Method 1 of 2: Immediate care

1. Give a wilting cactus more water. If parts of the cactus look shriveled, wrinkled, or wilted (drooping or with a lifeless appearance), it probably needs more water. Water the soil thoroughly when it is completely dry and allow the excess water to drain from the bottom of the pot.
   • If the soil is not dry, the problem may be a condition called etiolation, where the rounded or stem-shaped parts of the cactus constrict. This means the cactus needs more sunlight, so move the pot to a south or west facing window.
2. Cut off rotting parts. All brown and black parts must be removed. Rotting can be caused by a fungus that appears when overwatered. When the soil is completely soaked, remove the plant and repot it in a measured soil mixture. If it isn't completely soaked, let the soil dry completely before watering again.
   • A standard mixture of soil for desert cacti consists of two parts garden soil, two parts rough sand, and one part peat.
3. Give more light to a narrowing cactus. Bulbous or other rounded cacti with pointed tops, or narrowing and fibrous stems in columnar cacti, are signs of a condition called etiolation. The cause is insufficient sunlight, so find a place in the house that is exposed to the sun for a long time (a south-facing window) or with more intense sunlight (a west-facing window).
4. Look for yellowing peel. If parts of the plant's side that is in the sun show yellowish or brownish skin, the cactus is getting too much sunlight. Immediately move it to a place with more shade and softer sunlight, such as an east-facing window.
   • Wait to see how the cactus reacts to the new shady place. If the yellowed parts do not improve within a few weeks, cut them away to the healthy green parts.
5. Get rid of insects. The main insect pests that can damage cacti are mealy bugs and spider mites. Mealybugs are small and powdery white and come in clusters. Spider mites are red, rather small and spin skin-like webs between the spines of the cactus. Apply rubbing alcohol directly to the contaminated areas with a cotton swab. An acaricide can also be used against spider mites.

Method 2 of 2: Ensure long-term health

1. Use a suitable soil mixture. For most desert cacti, a good overall mixture is two parts garden soil, two parts rough sand, and one part peat. This mixture drains well and does not harden when dry.
   • Also use a clay pot - the weight will keep bulkier cacti from tilting and they will also allow the soil to breathe, preventing root rotting.
2. Water only when the soil is dry. Check the moisture level by pushing a finger into the top 3 inches of the soil. When it is completely dry, you will need to water the cactus completely and allow any excess water to drain through the holes in the bottom.
3. Adjust the watering according to the season. Cacti need different amounts of water depending on whether they are growing or dormant. During the growing season from March to September, you should water them on average once a month. During the dormant period from October to February, you should not water them more than once a month.
   • Overwatering during the dormant period is the main cause of cacti problems.
4. Provide the plant with sufficient sunlight. Most cacti need a lot of sun. Keep the cactus outdoors in the summer and make sure it doesn't get too much rain. Start in a shady place first and then gradually move to a place with more sun to avoid sunburn. In winter, place the pot near a south or west-facing window, as it has the greatest sun exposure.
5. Keep an eye on the room temperature. Cacti like cooler temperatures during their winter dormancy period. But be careful to keep them out of drafts - away from badly closed windows and not on the floor near doors. A healthy nighttime temperature in winter is 7-16 ° C, so a cool basement or room are suitable storage places during this time.
   • Unless you have a cold-resistant cactus, make sure the room temperature does not drop below freezing, as most cacti cannot tolerate frost.
6. Repot your cactus to size. You will know when it is time to move the cactus to a large pot when the top becomes too heavy to be supported by the pot, or when it has grown to an inch from the edge of the pot. Use a general soil mixture consisting of two parts garden soil, two parts rough sand, and one part peat.
   • Transplant the cactus to the same level of the soil as in the original pot.
7. Cut away dead roots. A common consequence of overwatering is root rot, which occurs when the roots sit in poorly drained, moist soil for too long. Before repotting, gently brush the soil away from the roots after removing the old soil bulb from its original pot. Check the root system and cut away any soft black roots and any dried-up roots that look dead. Cut right up to the living part of the root.
   • You can avoid root rot by making sure the pot has a drainage hole in the bottom and that excess water can never collect in the saucer under the pot.
8. Do not repot damaged roots right away. If the roots were damaged while removing the cactus from its original pot, or if you had to cut dead roots, leave the cactus out of the ground for ten days. The cactus will crust around the damaged or cut areas. Place the cactus on a piece of paper out of the sun and away from cool temperatures.
   • Cacti thrive after repotting when transplanted during the growing season (March to September).
   • Most cacti should generally be repotted every one to two years.
9. Use a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen. Most fertilizers have been assigned a number that shows how much nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium they contain (in the form: st.-fo.-ka.) An example of a low-nitrogen fertilizer suitable for cacti is 110-30-20. Here the nitrogen content is equal to 10.
   • Too much nitrogen can give the cactus a flabby texture that stunts growth.
   • Never fertilize a cactus during the dormant season (October to February).
10. Rinse away dust and dirt. If your cactus skin is dusty or dirty, it may not be able to photosynthesize properly. Rinse off this residue with a rag or sponge and a solution of water with a drop of dish soap. Then rinse the plant under a tap or with a wet sponge.