How to Grow A Cactus Indoors

There are hundreds of different cactus species available in any garden center, whether it is a desert cacti, forest cacti, or tropical cacti you can find a cactus that is low maintenance and can grow well indoors.  Almost all types of cacti have unique characteristics that will bring interest and uniqueness to your home. Here’s a list of cacti that grows well indoor:

1. Barrel Cactus

   The barrel cactus is a popular potted cactus to grow indoors and belongs to tropical cacti. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. This cactus resembles a round ball with spiky, pointy leaves coming out from all sides. They can be multi-colored. When they get older, the body becomes woodier, and the central “stem” can be cut out and potted on its own.

   Barrel cactus tolerates various levels of natural light, from full sun to complete dark, for short periods. and it shouldn’t be overwatering to grow well indoors. This is another advantage of growing this type of cacti indoors.

2. Christmas Cactus

   The Christmas cactus is probably the easiest cactus to care for indoors. Christmas cacti come in a wide variety of shapes and colors. They have large, showy flowers that last for weeks at a time.

   Christmas cactus should be watered every few days often but not kept constantly submerged in excess water. This plant will require low light.

3. Opuntia Cactus

   These desert cacti are very similar to prickly pear, and they can grow in almost any condition. They come in various beautiful colors and shapes.

   Opuntia cactus will grow well indoors with direct sun, especially during the summer months when it is actively growing. During the winter, you will need to cut back on watering.

   Opuntia is extremely tolerant of poor soils and high humidity, so you don’t need to fuss over them too much. 

4. Lepidium Bolivianum

   The cacti are one of the pineapple family and belong to forest cacti. They’re native to South America, but they also grow well indoors in temperate climates.

   Lepidium Bolivianum has beautiful leaves that are similar to pinecones. The leaves can grow up to 15 cm in size and are dotted with small spines.

   This type of cacti does well when planted in a shallow pot filled with cactus soil. It needs moderate watering and are easy-care plants. It is best not to water the leaves.

5. Mammillaria Cactus

   This cactus is a healthy desert cacti and can grow up to 10 cm tall. They have a fleshy body with small spines that look like whiskers on top of their tubercles. Mammillaria also has flowers that range from pale yellow to red, depending on the species.

   Mammillaria cacti only need to be watered every two weeks during the summer and once a month in winter. They can survive without any light, but they will grow faster in a sunny location. 

6. Strawberry Cactus

   These cacti hail from tropical climates are the most colorful of all cactuses. They look like red strawberries with green leaves and spines.

   Strawberry cactuses grow well at room temperature and need plenty of sunlight. They don’t like cold temperatures and should ideally be kept indoors all year round unless you live in a tropical climate.

7. Epiphyllum Cactus

   These cacti are one of the easiest to grow indoors and belong to tropical forest cacti. Epiphyllum has beautiful flowers, which are typically white, cream, or pink. They grow in clusters on the ends of their stems and are called “skip-jack” because they tend to appear out of nowhere every spring.

   Epiphyllum cactus can tolerate low levels of water, but they will also need plenty of direct sunlight. Overwatering is the most common cause of death with this cactus, so make sure they dry out between waterings. Most varieties of epiphyllum will flower in early summer and again in the fall. 

   These are just some of the cacti that you can grow indoors. They’re relatively easy to care for and come in a variety of shapes and colors.  Give your cactus some love, and it will reward you with beautiful flowers. 

What Types of Cactus Plants Grow Well Indoors?

In growing cacti and succulents, you need to understand what types of plants grow well indoors. There are many things you should look for in a  cactus plant,  such as: 

1. Size

   The size of the cactus is important to consider. These plants can grow extremely large, and you want to make sure that they fit well in your home and will not spread all over your floor and creep up on people or pets.  You could have a cactus that is perfectly suited for your home in one spot, and when you move it to another location in the same house, it begins to take up too much space. 

2. Color

   The various types of cacti come in a variety of colors. When looking for an indoor cactus plant, you should first decide if you want a bright color or something that is more muted. 

   Brighter colors in small spaces can make the room look too busy, but they can also give your room a nice pop of color when chosen correctly. You need to consider this carefully when choosing indoor cactus plants.

3. Flowers

   This is one of the best reasons to grow cactus plants. These plants come in beautiful flowers that emerge from the top of these plants. Determine if you want flowers that are just present for a short time or if you want them to last longer.

   Generally, the bigger the cactus plant is, the bigger its flowers tend to be. You can also get certain cacti that produce smaller flowers on a regular basis. If this is crucial to you when choosing indoor cactus plants, you will have to do your research.

4. Reproduction

   How these plants reproduce can be important, too. You want to be sure that the cactus will not spread seeds everywhere because this could be a problem for pets or small children in your home often.

   Cacti come from a variety of environments including deserts, forests, and mountains. Their adaptations to these different climates can help you determine which one is best for your home.

5. Plant Type

   The different types of cacti require different levels of care and living conditions to survive indoors. Many cacti need less water than others and can grow well under bright light, while others can’t. Some will need more fresh air or a particular type of potting mix to do well.

   It’s important to carefully research the type of cactus plant you intend to purchase before bringing it home and putting it in your living space.

Many different types of cacti can be grown indoors. While some of these cacti can grow rather large, most can be kept in a relatively small pot and require only low maintenance. You need to understand what type of cactus you have to determine how to take care of them properly.

Proper care of your cactus plant starts with providing it with the right growing conditions,  which means choosing the right pot, soil, the right amount of sunlight, and water. 

• How Often Should You Water Your Indoor Cactus?

  Often, cacti need to be watered only once every one or two weeks. The best way to learn your plant’s specific water needs is to carefully consider where you place it in your home, how much sunlight it gets, how frequently you water the plant, and what type of soil is used in its pot.

  If your cactus is in a dark area where it receives little sunlight, it will likely use less water than a cactus in a well-lit room and gets plenty of sunlight every day. Furthermore, if your cactus is in a pot with soil that does not drain or maintain water well, the plant will need more water than another plant in soil that works better. 

  Cacti need soil with good drainage and a coarse texture to grow properly, so this is something that you need to understand when deciding how often you should water your plant.

• When Should You Fertilize Your Cacti Plants?

  During spring and summer, it’s a good idea for fertilizing your cactus indoors every three or four weeks. To determine whether you need cacti fertilizer in your amazing plants, use a pH tester to know if your soil’s acidic or alkaline levels need changing.

  If pH levels are low, you need to add some fertilizer with an acidic base. If the pH level is high, you have too much alkaline material in your soil and will need to add more acidic materials.

  Having a good understanding of how often you should water your cactus plant and whether or not it requires fertilizing can go a long way in helping you ensure that it survives for as long as possible.

• Best Fertilizer For Your Cacti

  All cacti need fertilizer to grow properly, but the type of fertilizer they require depends on what kind of plant you have. You can generally use a balanced 20-20-20 NPK fertilizer for most types of plants.

  Most cacti do not need a large amount of fertilizer. An organic, granulated mycorrhizal inoculant is usually sufficient for the plant. The best fertilizer for your cacti is one that contains a slow-release formula and gives the plant nutrients in small amounts over time.

• How Much Light Does Your Cactus Need?

  Your cactus plant will typically require lots of sunlight to grow and maintain good health, especially in the growing season. If your plant is in a location that does not receive enough light, its growth will slow down, and the leaves will start to fall off.

  To determine whether or not your cactus is receiving enough light,  examine it on a daily basis. If you notice that the new growth is pale and there are no new buds, this usually means your plant needs more light or sunlight.

  If growing indoors, position your cactus in a south-facing window (or a west-facing window) where it receives at least five or six hours of direct sunlight every day. This will ensure that your plant gets the sunlight that it needs to grow properly.

• Best Soil for Your Cactus Plants

  Almost all cacti need well-drained soil to survive indoors, and regular potting soil is too heavy for these desert plants. A potting mix for cacti should have a coarse, fast-draining texture. You can make a potting soil with ingredients from the hardware store: clean sand or perlite (sometimes sold as “expanded clay” or “decorative rock”) in equal parts mixed with enough pumice to create an open, fast-draining soil with a granular texture.

• Best Temperature and Humidity for Your Cactus

  Most cacti do best in areas that have a good amount of heat and humidity. If the temperature is too low, your plant will lose its leaves and stop growing because it can’t produce enough energy for photosynthesis. If the temperature where your cactus is kept is between 70-90 degrees F, it should be just fine.

  In growing cactus indoors during the winter, it’s important to increase the humidity to prevent damage from the dry air common in most homes. You can do this by setting up a humidifier near the plant or misting the soil with water on a daily basis.

Some common problems can occur with most types of cacti if they are not properly cared for, including:

• Fungal infections

  Most cacti are susceptible to fungal infections that can wipe out an entire plant if not treated. Prevention is the best defense against these infections, so never water your plant from overhead and try not to get any water on its leaves or stem.

• Root rot

  This occurs when the plant’s roots become waterlogged and start to rot. Prevention is best for preventing root rot, so ensure that your plant has excellent drainage.

• Insects

  Cacti are susceptible to certain insects or common pests like scale and mealybug, which can ruin a plant if not treated early on. If you notice insects on the plant, treat it with an insecticide that has been formulated especially for cacti.

• Bloating

  When a cactus’ stem starts to swell and look like it is about to bust, this means that there is too much water in the soil, and it needs to be corrected immediately. 

  The best thing to do is to allow the plant to dry out and then water it in small amounts until you notice that the bloating has gone down.

• Are Cacti Invasive?

  No, cactus plants are not considered invasive.  However, they are still high-maintenance plants that require plenty of time and effort to grow successfully indoors. 

Cactus spread by sending out seeds. Cactus are generally propagated by removing offsets from the main plant or taking cuttings of stems and growing into new plants. 

You can also grow a cactus from seed if you have another plant that is already producing seeds. Cut off the flower when it starts to wither and become dry and powdery, then shake out all of the seeds onto something flat like a piece of tile or cardboard. 

Leave the seeds in an area that gets plenty of sunlight for a few weeks until they sprout, then plant the seeds in soil with good drainage.

How to Prune a Cactus

It’s usually a good idea to prune a cactus when it is actively growing in the spring and summer. Remove dead, withered leaves, then remove those growing upward or out toward the side of the plant instead of toward the center.

If you have large spines on your cactus, use gloves when pruning so, you don’t accidentally get them stuck in your fingers or hands.

When Should You Repot a Cactus?

Whether it is forest cacti or desert cacti it should be repotted every few years in the spring when their roots become overcrowded. You can reuse your existing pot or get a new one; just make sure it has excellent drainage and doesn’t retain water for long periods.

When you transplant your cactus from its old pot to a new one, never do so during the fall or winter because the plant will not have enough time to recover before it becomes cold outside.

1. How Large Will a Cactus Grow?

   Cacti will usually grow between 8 and 20 inches tall. They like to be planted in large decorative pots with plenty of room around their roots, so make sure you purchase or repurpose an appropriately sized pot before planting your cactus inside it.

2. Are Cacti Toxic or Bad for Pets?

   Cacti are not toxic, but it’s best to remove any cactus spines on the cactus before letting your pets near it. Spines can become lodged in an animal’s throat or stomach and cause serious damage if they are not removed promptly by a vet. If you have small children, make sure that they don’t try to eat or touch your cactus without your supervision.

3. What Kind of Container Do You Need for Cacti?

   Cactus need containers that have excellent drainage, but they also need plenty of room for their roots. Ideally, you should use a large planter or pot with drainage holes on the bottom and place it in an area where your cactus can get at least four to six hours of sunlight every day.