The Secrets of The Cacti | PBS

How To Care For a Cactus

While cacti may seem like tough plants that can survive just about anything, they actually require quite a bit of care if you want them to thrive. Here are some secrets to growing healthy cacti:

1. Provide plenty of sunlight. Cacti need direct sunlight in order to grow and produce flowers. If you live in a climate with long, hot summers, your cactus will do best if it’s placed in a sunny spot outdoors. If you live in a cooler climate, or if you want to grow your cactus indoors, place it near a south-facing window where it will receive plenty of sunlight.

2. Allow the soil to dry out completely between watering. Cacti are succulents, which means they store water in their stems and leaves. As a result, they don’t need to be watered very often. In fact, overwatering is one of the most common mistakes people make when growing cacti. Water your cactus only when the top inch or so of soil is dry to the touch.

3. Don’t fertilize too often. Cacti don’t need a lot of fertilizer, and too much can actually do more harm than good. If you decide to fertilize your cactus, use a very diluted solution and apply it only once every month or two.

4. Protect your cactus from cold weather. Cacti are native to warm desert climates, so they’re not very tolerant of cold weather. If you live in an area that gets frost in the winter, it’s best to grow your cactus indoors where it will be protected from the cold.

5. Be careful when handling cacti. The spines on some cacti can be quite sharp, so it’s important to handle them with care. If you need to move your cactus, or if you want to repot it, be sure to wear gloves to protect your hands.

Cacti Fun Facts

Cacti are one of the most recognizable plants in the world, but there are still many people who don’t know much about them. Here are a few fun facts about these fascinating plants:

• Cacti are not just found in the desert. There are actually around 1,500 different species of cactus, and can be found all over the world, from the coldest mountains to the hottest rainforests.

• The largest cactus in the United States is the saguaro, which can grow to be over 60 feet tall!

• Cacti come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Some are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, while others can grow to be as large as a house.

• Cacti store water in their stems, which is why they are often used as an icon of the desert.

• The spines on cacti are actually modified leaves. They help to protect the plant from animals and reduce water loss by shading the stem.

• Many species of cactus are endangered due to habitat loss and human development.

This article was researched and compiled by Sandler Digital in collaboration with PBS.