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Growing Cacti as Houseplants

by Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor,University of Vermont    

Want to exercise your green thumb this winter? Try growing cacti as houseplants.

True cacti, a type of succulent, are native to the Americas. Many types may be grown as houseplants, each different in size, color, shape, and flowering habit. Among the most popular types are the star cactus, golden barrel, old man, bishop's cap, bunny ears, rat-tail, pincushion, Turk's cap, and ball cactus.

Most cacti purchased at plant shops, garden stores, florists, and grocery and discount stores are grown alike. They have one thing in common, however. They all prefer a growing space with plenty of sunlight.

Cacti grown on windowsills facing south usually flourish. The next best exposure is light from an east or west window since it can provide direct sun for part of the day. If you wish, you can place the plants outdoors in summer.

Many gardeners think there is too little light in our area during the winter, but this is often not the case. With snow cover more light is reflected during the winter than penetrates through shade trees around the home in summer.

Perhaps the main trick to growing cacti is proper watering. Many cacti have been killed from overwatering during the winter, including mine! If the weather is cloudy, or even predicted to be cloudy, don't water. If in doubt whether the soil is dry, don't water. When watering, apply only a small amount to moisten the soil area around the roots. Allow the soil to become dry before additional watering.

Maintain the temperature during the growth period (usually spring and summer) at 60 degrees F at night and 10 to 15 degrees warmer during the day. During the dormant period (usually fall and winter), reduce the temperature to 45 to 55 degrees F. If most of your rooms are warmer than this, then place your cacti near a window (but not touching it) where the temperature may be five to 10 degrees cooler than in the middle of the room.

Fertilize the cacti several times during the growth period with a liquid fertilizer. Products labeled 5-10-5 or 10-20-10, and those containing fish emulsion, are all suitable. Follow directions on the label carefully.

For repotting, use a soil mix prepared for cacti. Or make your own from one part coarse builder's sand, one part loam soil, and one part peat moss.

Finally, if you brush against your cactus and get a few spines stuck in your fingers, use heavy duty tape (sticky side to the spines) to pull them out.