Content

• Steps
• Warning

Cacti are desert-dwelling plants that do well in dry and hot conditions, but they can also be excellent indoor plants. Cacti are easy to maintain and require less care than many other indoor plants, making them ideal for those with little experience in gardening and suitable for housewarming gifts. The secret to having a lush cactus when growing indoors is to give the plant plenty of sunlight, not over water it, and use the right soil.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Propagation of new plants

1. 

   Cut a lush branch from a healthy cactus. You can plant a new cactus using the branches that grow from the parent tree. Choose a stout, plump branch that has no bruise and is healthy. Gently cut off the branch from the mother tree.
   • You can also purchase cacti from nurseries or garden centers.

2. 

   
   
   Wait for the cut to heal. Place the cut stem on a window sill in the sun. Leave the branch in place for about 2 days for the cut to tighten into calluses. If you don't let the wound heal before planting, the branch may rot.

3. 

   Choose a pot. The most important thing to remember when choosing a cactus pot is drainage. Look for a pot with drainage holes on the bottom so excess water can drain. Cacti also do well in small pots, so buy a pot twice the size of your plant.
   • You can use clay pots or plastic pots to grow cacti. Plastic pots are lighter and cheaper, but heavier clay pots will be suitable for large or head-heavy cacti.

4. 

   
   
   Pour cactus-specific soil into a pot. Cacti need a type of soil that drains quickly, so choose a soil specific to this plant. For added drainage, you can mix 2 parts cactus soil with 1 part lava or perlite.
   • Cacti grown in wet soil are susceptible to fungal and bacterial infections.

5. 

   
   
   Plant branches in the soil. Place the cross-section of the cactus branches or leaves in the planting ground. Plug the branch into a depth just enough for it to stand. Use your hands to gently press the surrounding soil tightly.

6. 

   Mist the soil. Moisten the soil to keep the plants more hydrated, but not soak the soil. Before your tree has rooted and sprouted new shoots, just mist lightly when the soil is dry to keep the branches from rot.

7. 

   Place newly planted stems in a location with light. Move the twig to a window sill or an area that receives plenty of light, but indirect light. Newly planted branches can be damaged if exposed to prolonged exposure in direct sunlight. Leave the pot in this position for 1-2 months until new shoots appear. advertisement

Part 2 of 3: Taking care of trees

1. 

   Choose a sunny location. Once hardened, most cacti need to receive direct sunlight for many hours a day. A south or east direction window would be ideal for a cactus. However, if the cactus begins to yellow, discolor, or turn orange then the marbles are overexposed, and you should move the plant to a west window.
   • Kitchen and bathroom windows are great for cacti, as they can absorb more moisture from the air if needed.

2. 

   Water the plants weekly throughout the growing season. Cacti can die if you water too much, but plants need to be watered weekly during growth. The period of growth is usually from spring to autumn. When the soil is dry to the touch, water it until it is completely damp.
   • Do not water while the soil is still damp, otherwise the plant may rot and die.

3. 

   Fertilize the plants weekly throughout the growing season. Regular fertilization of cacti during spring, summer, and autumn is also beneficial for cacti. When watering your plants each week, you should add a 10-10-10 balanced fertilizer to the water before watering. Dilute fertilizer with a concentration equal to of the recommended concentration on the package.

4. 

   Increases air circulation. Cacti do not like drafts or strong winds, but they will thrive when grown in areas with plenty of fresh air. You can improve indoor air circulation by using ceiling fans, opening ventilation slots and windows if the weather is warm.

5. 

   Rotate the pot every month. Like many other plants, cacti will grow towards light, and this can cause the plant to grow irregularly or distort. You can help your plant grow in proportion by providing a uniform light and rotating the pot a month.

6. 

   Repot the plants every year. Choose a pot that is well drained, one size larger than the one you are currently growing. Pour cactus potting soil into a pot. Use your hand to hold around the base of the plant and turn the pot upside down to remove the plant. Pat the roots to remove old soil and prune dead or dry parts. Place the plant in a new pot and press the soil around the base with your hand.
   • Do not water the cactus for the first 2 weeks after planting. Place the pot in a bright place, but out of direct sunlight.

7. 

   Help the plant enter hibernation in winter. Autumn and winter are usually the hibernation months of the cactus. The hibernation period is required for many plants to replenish their energy, and at the end of the hibernation the plant is about to flower. You can help your cactus transition into hibernation by:
   • Reduce the frequency of watering to once a month
   • Stop fertilizing
   • Move the plant to a cooler window (ideally 7-13 degrees Celsius)
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Part 3 of 3: Handling common problems

1. 

   Move the plant to a darker position if it gradually fades. Some cacti do better in indirect sunlight. If your cactus turns white, yellow, or has orange spots, it is probably getting too much sunlight. Move the plant to a window with less direct sunlight.

2. 

   Move the plant to a brighter position if it is stretched out or thin. Cactus plants that do not receive enough light can grow out into the light, causing plants to grow disproportionately. Another sign of that is the growing tops of the trees. Move the plant to a window with more direct sunlight.
   • To prevent leaf burn, move the plant gradually, placing it slightly closer to the light each day for a few days.

3. 

   Handling common pests. There are a number of pests that can become a problem when you plant your cactus, including aphids, aphids and red spiders. You can wash or mist your plants to wash away the pests. Pesticides are often not beneficial in dealing with these problems.
   • You can identify mealybugs by the rough patches they create on trees, scaly aphids that look like raised brown spots, and red spiders will spread white webs.
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Warning

• Wear gloves when caring for the cactus to prevent thorns from being stabbed.