How Often Should You Water a Cactus? Remember These Watering Precautions

Many people get a bit obsessive when caring for plants, always reaching for the spray bottle to water them. For moisture-loving plants this is naturally fine, but for plants like the cactus, it is probably more than they can handle. So, how often should you water a cactus? What are the precautions for watering cacti?

Below, let's first go over some key points for watering cacti:

1. Do not water a newly purchased cactus. Or a newly planted cactus, also do not water it. It is enough that the soil is slightly moist. This is because at this time the roots have not yet grown stable, and even if you water, they cannot absorb it. Too much water only adds to its burden. This is also related to watering too much when it is kept indoors.

2. In winter, the cactus stops growing and is in dormancy, so do not water. At this time it is best to strictly control water. No matter how dry the soil in the pot looks, do not water. Because even if you water, it cannot absorb it and it only adds to its burden.

3. Autumn is in the growing season, and spring is too. When the temperature is neither high nor low, around 20 degrees, this state is suitable for their growth, and you can water once to twice a week. Because at this time, during the growing season, the water requirement is relatively greater, and not watering for a long time is also not good, as the cactus easily dries out.

4. In summer, also water less. Do not think that when the temperature is high, watering can cool it down. So when you see the soil surface is too dry, do not keep watering continuously. Place it in a shaded spot and appropriately reduce the frequency of watering, to avoid the ball rotting or the roots rotting under conditions of high temperature and high humidity.

5. Actually, cacti do not need a fixed schedule for how often to water. Generally, those placed outdoors, which dry out easily, should be watered a bit more; those placed indoors, where evaporation is a little less, should be watered a little less. Usually you should also look at the potting soil, and water again once it is dry, watering thoroughly. If the potting soil is moist, there is no need to water again.

For balls in summer and winter and balls in spring and autumn, for the summer and winter balls, you must pay attention when watering. At that time, because the temperature is too high or too low, the growth of the ball is inhibited, and watering must be quite cautious. In winter, for most cacti, they have entered their dormancy period, during which water should basically be cut off. For balls kept indoors and balls kept outdoors, watering should also be somewhat different: outdoors, the air circulates and light is abundant, so the medium dries easily, and watering should be more frequent; indoors, air circulation is poor and light is weak, so the medium does not dry easily, and watering must not be too frequent. In addition, for balls placed in a sunny spot and balls placed in a shady spot, watering should also be treated differently: the former should be watered more, and the latter should have longer intervals between waterings. In short, it must be handled flexibly.

After we bring plants home, we must not keep watering them endlessly just because of a momentary novelty. You should know that some drought-tolerant plants like the cactus do not need frequent watering. When caring for a cactus, you should consult more information and understand its habits, so that you can care for your cactus well!