What is a Cactus (KAK-tus) Cacti Plant?

A collection of beautiful cacti that have scales and spines instead of leaves to adapt to extremely dry desert areas. Most of them have thick fleshy stems or branches to conserve water, so they can tolerate drought very well. A cactus is a great addition to the home thanks to its striking shape, size, and flowers.

All cactus plants are members of the Cactaceae family, and there are thousands of species of cactus. Desert cacti have a unique, strong beauty, and some of the desert cacti feature the most beautiful flowers in the plant kingdom.

Another type of cacti, the forest cacti are usually found in wooded areas, ranging from temperate forests to subtropical and tropical regions. One of the most popular forest cacti is Christmas/Thanksgiving cactus.

Is Cactus a Succulent?

Succulents are a group of plant families that store water in their stems, leaves, and roots. Cacti store water in their stems, which makes them a sub-category or a genus within the succulents groups of plant families. All cacti are succulents but not all succulents are cacti.

Botanical Name	Cactaceae
Common Name	Cactus, desert cactus, forest cactus
Plant Type	Succulents
Mature Size	Varies depending on the variety
Sun Exposure	Some direct sun; quantity varies depending on the variety
Soil Type	Well-draining sandy soil
Soil pH	5.5 to 7
Bloom Time	Varies
Flower Color	Varies

How to take care of Cactus Succulents?

Cactus Care Guide for Beginners

Cactus Light Requirements

Desert cacti require strong light, especially in the winter. They'd do well with 6+hours of sunlight every day. However, they could get sunburned if exposed to intense heat.

Forest cacti like bright indirect light. You could move them outside during their growth season (in the summer). But they also don't tolerate high heat well, so make sure they don't get scorched outside in the summer.

The best potting soil mix for cactus

Use a fast-draining soil mix for your cactus. You can use a ready-made cactus soil mix or make a basic soil mix with a ratio of 1:1 potting soil & inorganic matter (e.g perlite). More on soil mix for cacti and succulents here.

How often should you water a cactus?

During growing seasons (spring & summer) water your desert cacti whenever the soil is completely dry. And give them a good thorough soaking each time you water them. During the dormant season (winter) cease watering, only water them if the plants begin to shrivel.

You can water your forest cacti a bit more during the growth period and reduce watering during the dormant period.

Great tips for cactus growth

Cactus Propagation

Increasing your cactus collection without spending a single penny is simple. Even beginners will be able to perform it easily through cuttings, offset, or pad propagation, and it gets much easier with practice. And through this article, you will learn all the tricks you need to know, which will prepare you to start propagating your cacti in many ways to your heart's content.

Growing Cactus Indoor

Cacti are low-maintenance plants that don't need much attention compared to other plants, making them ideal for novice gardeners and a wonderful housewarming gift. Plus, they can also be a fantastic indoor houseplant. However, there are certain factors to be considered in order for them to thrive. So, if you want to grow your cactus collection inside your home, here are the things that you should know.

Please see more Cactus Care Guide 101 to ensure years of enjoyment and How to save dying cacti to identify what’s causing your cactus to die and be able to save it before it’s too late.

How to graft a cactus?

Nowadays, grafted cacti are becoming more and more popular, especially in garden centers. They are cute, weird, and completely irresistible. But what exactly is grafting and why do you need to do it? Read here to find out and as well as learn how to graft them.