What do I do with my cactus in the winter?

Category: home and garden landscaping
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Cacti, in general, need a combination of 12 to 18 hours of direct and indirect light each day. You can keep the cactus at warmer temperatures, between 65 and 90 F. Or, you can keep it at cooler temperatures between 45 and 55 F until spring to encourage winter dormancy.



In respect to this, can cactus survive in winter?

Cactuses grow in coastal areas, low deserts, high deserts, mountains and other places. Many cactus species can tolerate cold temperatures, although some can't tolerate winter moisture. The lowest temperature a cactus can survive, depends on the species.

Additionally, can I bring my succulents inside for winter? Keep Them Warm and Illuminated Place a dormant succulent in an area with at least three to four hours of bright light. Succulents can survive with indirect light during the winter. Extreme temperature changes can harm succulents, so bring them in before winter temperatures dip below freezing.

Keeping this in view, should I water my cactus in winter?

During summer and the active growing season, Cacti need frequent watering. Cacti typically need less water during the colder, dormant months of winter. You can cut back watering by at least half or even more during this time.

When should I stop watering my cactus?

Stop watering all cacti and allow them to go dormant for the winter months. They should only be watered if temperatures rise above 10°C (50°F). Cacti need little maintenance in order to thrive, but adequate light, warmth and ventilation are all essential for healthy growth.

39 Related Question Answers Found

Can Cactus live inside?

Cacti are typically desert-dwelling plants that thrive in dry and hot conditions, but these plants also make excellent indoor houseplants. The secrets to growing healthy cacti indoors include providing them with plenty of sunlight, not overwatering, and using the right soil.

What is the lowest temperature a cactus can survive?

In winter, keep cacti and succulents above freezing. Some plants prefer a nighttime temperature of 35-40ºF (some cacti and other succulents can endure temperatures well below freezing if kept absolutely dry.) More tropical succulents like adeniums, euphorbias, lithops, and stapeliads prefer a minimum of 50-60 degrees.

Do cacti grow from the top or bottom?

Plants grow from the top, not from the bottom. The growing tip of the green part (the "stock" or "root stock") has been removed, in order to graft on the part that doesn't have any chlorophyll (the "scion"). That's why the plant won't grow any taller.

Can I leave my succulents outside in the winter?

Of course, if you are growing cold hardy succulents, they can stay outside all winter. All succulents rated higher than Zone 5 can't survive the cold, and need to be indoors for the winter.

Are cactus indoor or outdoor plants?


Indoor Cacti Varieties. Although cacti are known for their love of sunlight, many thrive as indoor plants. Add one to your windowsill or living space for some unique decor. Indoor cacti tend to need less light and are smaller in size, making them the perfect houseplant.

What is the coldest temperature a Christmas cactus can withstand?

They may tolerate short periods of temperatures below 50 degrees, but they cannot tolerate freezing temperatures. All of the cacti are short-day plants.

Can I put my cactus outside?

You can move indoor cactus plants outdoors during the summer when nighttime temperatures are at least 65 degrees F. Start their outside stay in a protected spot and let them get used to being outside, then move them to an area with more sun.

Do cacti need sunlight?

Since mini-cacti are succulents and produce colorful flowers, they require about four hours of direct sunlight daily. A good indoor location is within 4 feet of a south- or east-facing window. Mini-cacti need sunlight exposure evenly, so rotate periodically to make sure the entire plant receives sunlight.

Are Cactus good for air?

Cacti is the best in reducing radiation and bacteria.
Cacti is very strong in eliminating bacteria. In tackling pollution, cacti is also great at reducing radiation. In addition, cacti absorbs carbon dioxide at night to release oxygen. Putting cacti in the room is helpful in sleeping and supplementing oxygen.

How long can a Cactus live without water?

Some cactus species can go for two years without water. The indoor varieties, however, do require more frequent watering, depending upon the species.

Can you overwater a cactus?

Symptoms of Overwatering in Cactus
Cacti aren't just drought tolerant – they need some drought to survive. Their roots rot easily, and too much water can kill them. Unfortunately, the symptoms of overwatering in cactus are very misleading. As they get waterlogged, the roots will die and rot.

Can a cactus survive without sunlight?

All plants can survive for short periods without light. Obviously, they need to be able to last through the night, but they can also cope with a longer darkness in an emergency. Cacti are a type of plant called succulents. Succulents that have spines need bright light to grow well but they will exist with less.

How often do I water cactus in winter?

During the winter months when cacti often become dormant, it is advisable to water much less frequently: Two to three times less often than during the summer. Most persons attempting to grow cacti suffer the greatest amount of plant losses during the winter, usually the direct result of incorrect watering techniques.

Do Cacti go dormant?


Most cacti and succulents go dormant by the time fall comes around, meaning they will stop growing when temperatures and daylight drop.

Should I bring my succulents inside when it rains?

Although some succulents can survive frigid temperatures, others can be quite sensitive to the cold. If your plants have been rained on and an overnight frost is expected, you may need to cover them or bring them inside. If the leaves or certain sections of the plant are damaged, don't throw the plant out just yet.

How do you know if a cactus is dying?

A dying cactus is shaky in its potting mix and may appear as though it's about to fall off – well, it will definitely fall off if you moved it, for a severe case. A sign of lack of roots. Or the existing ones may be too weak to properly support the plant.