Watering Your Succulent ... What Water Must I Use For My Cactus?

Cacti do not seem to react sensitively to water with a high content of lime. The disadvantages of using this lime water is it creates an unattractive appearance and repotting the Cactus will have to happen fairly often.

How To "Soften" Water For Cacti

  • By adding solutions or powders.

  • By using a filter.

  • By using peat without a fertilizer.

Rain water is soft but, depending on the locality, may contain a few types of harmful substances to a greater or lesser extent. Use it only after filtering. If you intend to take it from a roof gutter, wait until after the first fall of rain.

When Do I Need To Water My Cacti?

Watering the Cactus can influence on whether your treasured Cactus dies or lives. Most Cacti do not suffer from lack of water but instead are killed by owners watering them to death. The quality of the water used is less important than the quantity and the time of watering.

The position, the temperature, the sunlight, the type of soil and the material the pot is made out of are all factors on when your Cactus should be watered. Do not stress about this though as Cactus are hardy plants and won't react too badly to a few mistakes. There are 3 basic rules when it comes to watering your Cactus...

  1. It is much better to water Cacti less than more, but when you do water them do it thoroughly.

  2. If the Cactus is in a cooler position it will not need to be watered as much as it would be in an exposed position.

  3. The more humus content the soil holds, then you will need to be much more careful when watering your plant. Remember when you water Cacti watch their seasonal rhythms.

In Winter... Do not water the Cacti unless they are in a position where it is warmer than 10 degrees Celsius, avoid starting up Cactus growth during winter.

In Spring... After the Cactus has its first new spine appear or it begins to flower, water the plant very carefully. If the body of the Cactus begins to shoot the continue to water the Succulent well. But do not water as much on colder days an periods of sun-absent weather.

In Autumn... From around the middle of Autumn, stop watering. This is the time that the Cacti's rest period is starting to begin.

Just remember that plastic pots hold more moisture than clay pots!