![]() Does it have spines? If your cactus has lots of spines, it might need less water than one with few spines.Cacti with a high surface-area-to-volume ratio (like those with thin leaves) lose water at a higher rate than those with a low area-to-volume ratio (those with thick, fat stems). As a general rule, the thinner the leaf, the more water the cactus will need. Does it have leaves or stems? Most species of cacti don't have true leaves, but some do.If you don't know the proper name, place of origin, or care instructions for your cactus, answering these questions should help you determine how often to water. How Do I Know How Much Water My Cactus Needs Even If I Don't Know What Kind It Is? If potted, your cactus should be in a well-drained pot. If your water is hard, re-potting is recommended every couple of years to prevent salt build-up. Your water's hardness makes a difference. Catch the symptoms early and stop watering too much and often. At first, an overwatered cactus might look happy and plump, with new pups growing, but waterlogging a cactus will cause its roots to die and rot, so eventually, the plant will get soft and pale. An underwatered cactus might look deflated, rubbery, skinny, or pale. Know how to "read" your cactus's "body language." Watch for signs in the leaves or stems that show that the plant is getting stressed due to a lack of or excess moisture.You'll need to test and watch carefully to see how much water your cactus wants. Some say that cacti need a little water during their dormant season, but others say that they don't need any during winter. Less water during dormancy and winter.If you live in an area that gets more water than that cactus's natural habitat, you won't need to water. Many plants rest in a semi-dormant state from late fall to early spring and need less water then. In a pot or in the ground? Of course, plants in pots need more water than those planted directly into the ground, so adjust accordingly.A water gauge can help you determine the soil's moisture level, or you can stick your finger into the dirt to gauge it yourself. The top few inches of soil should be completely dried out. Always let your cactus dry out between waterings.In the hottest, driest months, thoroughly water your cactus once a week. During the growing season (usually from spring to fall) cacti want regular watering and fertilizing. ![]() ![]() Adjust watering schedule for each season.What type of temperature, soil, and conditions it's being grown in now.The typical temperature, soil, and conditions of its original habitat.Many-like those in the genus Ferocactus-are the typical, hardy desert-dwellers that need little water, but the genus Echinopsis (from the grasslands of South America) and genus Oreocereus (from the high Andes mountains) both need a bit more water, while genus Epiphyllum (from jungles)-a cactus that roots in trees rather than dirt-likes cooler and damper habitats. "Cacti" is short for the plant family Cactaceae, but that umbrella term encompasses a wide variety of types that live in drastically different habitats and have vastly different needs. How much water you need depends on a wide range of factors, but the first thing to know is that not all cacti are the same.
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