How to Grow Cacti Indoors

Cut a healthy stem from a strong cactus plant. You can propagate a new cactus by taking a cutting from the parent plant. Select a thick, healthy, and blemish-free branch. Gently cut the branch off from the main plant.

• You can also purchase cacti from nurseries or garden centers.

Let the cut heal. Place the freshly cut stem on a windowsill where it can receive sunlight. Allow the stem to rest for about two days until the cut forms a callous. If you don't let the wound heal before planting, the stem may rot.

Choose a planting pot. The most important thing to consider when selecting a pot for your cactus is drainage. Look for a pot with drainage holes at the bottom to allow excess water to escape. Cacti also thrive in smaller pots, so choose a pot that's about twice the size of the cactus.

• You can use either a clay or plastic pot for planting. Plastic pots are lighter and less expensive, while clay pots are heavier and better suited for larger or top-heavy cacti.

Fill the pot with cactus-specific soil. Cacti need soil that drains quickly, so choose a mix designed specifically for them. To improve drainage, you can mix two parts cactus soil with one part pumice or perlite.

• Cacti planted in moist soil are susceptible to fungal and bacterial infections.

Plant the cuttings in the soil. Place the cut ends of the cactus stems or leaves into the soil. Push the stem down to a depth that will allow it to stand upright. Gently press the soil around the cutting to secure it in place.

Mist the soil. Lightly mist the soil to provide additional moisture to the plant, but be sure not to soak it. Only mist when the soil is dry, and avoid over-watering until the cactus begins to root and sprout to prevent the cutting from rotting.

Place the newly planted cutting in a well-lit area. Move the cutting to a windowsill or another area that gets plenty of light, but indirect light. The newly planted cutting may get damaged if exposed to direct sunlight for too long. Keep the pot in this location for 1-2 months until new shoots appear.

Choose a sunny spot. Once established, most cacti need several hours of direct sunlight every day. A south- or east-facing window is ideal for your cactus. However, if the cactus starts turning yellow, pale, or orange, this could indicate overexposure to sunlight, and you should move it to a west-facing window.

• Kitchen and bathroom windows are great for cacti, as they can absorb additional moisture from the air if needed.

Water the cactus weekly during the growing season. While cacti can die from overwatering, they still need regular watering throughout their growth period, which typically runs from spring to fall. Water when the soil feels dry to the touch, ensuring it becomes completely moist.

• Don't water when the soil is still damp, as this could lead to rot and eventual death of the plant.

Fertilize the cactus weekly during the growing season. Regular fertilization during the spring, summer, and fall months benefits cacti. When watering, mix in a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer with the water before applying it to the plant. Dilute the fertilizer to one-quarter of the recommended strength as indicated on the packaging.

Improve air circulation. Cacti don't like strong winds or drafts, but they thrive in areas with fresh air. You can enhance indoor air circulation by using ceiling fans, opening vents, and allowing windows to remain open during warm weather.

Rotate the pot monthly. Like many plants, cacti grow towards light, which can cause uneven or distorted growth. To help your cactus grow symmetrically, ensure it receives uniform light and rotate the pot a quarter turn each month.

Repot the cactus annually. Choose a larger pot with good drainage, one size bigger than the current pot. Fill it with cactus-specific soil. Hold the base of the plant gently and turn the pot upside down to remove the cactus. Lightly tap the roots to remove old soil and trim away any dead or dry roots. Place the cactus in the new pot and press the soil around the base.

• Do not water the cactus for the first two weeks after repotting. Place the pot in a bright spot, but avoid direct sunlight.

Help the cactus enter dormancy during the winter. Fall and winter are typically the dormant months for cacti. Dormancy is essential for many plants to recharge, and by the end of this period, the cactus will be ready to flower. You can help your cactus enter dormancy by:

• Reducing watering to once a month
• Stopping fertilization
• Moving the cactus to a cooler window (ideally in temperatures between 7-13°C)

Move the cactus to a shadier spot if it starts to fade in color. Some types of cacti thrive better under indirect sunlight. If your cactus begins to turn white, yellow, or shows orange spots, it may be getting too much direct sunlight. Relocate the plant to a window with less direct sunlight.

Move the cactus to a brighter location if it starts to stretch or look spindly. Cacti that aren’t receiving enough light tend to grow towards it, which can cause the plant to become lopsided. Another sign of insufficient light is the plant's top becoming thin and elongated. Move your cactus to a window with more direct sunlight.

• To prevent leaf burn, gradually move the plant closer to the light, allowing a few days for each small shift.

Deal with common pests. Several types of pests can cause trouble when growing cacti, including mealybugs, scale insects, and spider mites. You can wash or mist your cactus to wash off the pests. Pesticides are often ineffective for dealing with these issues.

• Mealybugs can be identified by the rough patches they leave on the plant, scale insects look like small brown bumps, and spider mites spin white webs.

• Wear gloves when handling cacti to avoid getting pricked by their thorns.