One of the most common questions I get asked is how to make cactus grow faster. Many planters have found a soft spot for these thick, spiky succulents. Their simplicity to grow makes them a favourite among beginners or hardcore planters. Simply put, anyone can start to grow these oddly beautiful plants. But here’s the problematic punchline, they grow ever so slowly.
This can be a problem especially if you are eager for quick results. On average, it can take up to 6-12 months for a cactus to sprout. Their growth after this is slow, growing approximately 5-15cm every year. Not to state the obvious, but this is very slow growth. But, do not be alarmed. If patience is not your strongest suit, there is hope.
For those who have issues growing cactus or want to speed up their growth, try some of the following tips below.
Let’s dive in.
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Provide enough sunlight during the growing season
Cacti originate from warm climates. Heat and bright sunlight is something they love. It would be cruel to grow a cactus succulent indoors with little exposure to sunlight. Hence, to keep your succulents happy, they must receive plenty of sun daily.
Generally, cacti prefer 4-6 hours of good sunlight. By good sunlight, I mean when the sun is at its peak. Light during sunrise or sunset is not ‘good sunlight’. Do keep this in mind when growing.
Different cacti have different requirements. For example, desert cacti prefer a lot of bright light daily for around 6 hours a day. Whereas, tropical cacti prefer bright sunlight approx. 4-6 hours a day.
Good Tip!
Make sure cacti are exposed to bright sunlight but avoid direct sunlight. This can burn the plant and it will not grow.
If you have indoor succulents, grow your cactus in areas where they can receive bright sunlight. The windowsill, patio or balcony are great examples of well-lit areas in a house.
Important: To grow a home comforting succulent garden, it is essential you grow in a well lit area in the house. Keep this in mind.
As pretty as plants may look in your bathroom, avoid cactus as bathroom decor. Bathrooms do not have enough light and this can be a problem. The succulent will not receive enough light and the plant will slowly begin to die.
Allow Air exchange to take place
Cactus love to grow outdoors, in the wilderness. This is where they are most comfortable and grow best. Hence, if you plan to grow indoors, do not leave your succulents trapped in closed spaces.
Greenhouses are a perfect example of this. Succulents do not like humid or dry air. The best way to counteract your succulent from this issue is to give it fresh air. You can implement this by leaving your window or door open for a couple of hours a day. Or, in the summer, place your succulents outside for a couple of hours and then bring them inside when the temperature drops at night.
For cactus, temperature control is vital. It may be easier to control the indoor temperature than outdoors. A lot of modern homes now have temperature control regulated. Hence, if it rains, snows or if it is baking hot outside, a certain temperature is maintained. Try to keep the cactus at around 15- 20 degrees Celcius.
Sudden fluctuations in temperature can unsettle the plant. Hence, do not place your cactus near heaters or an air conditioner. Keep the plant away. This will make it easier to keep your cactus at a set temperature.
In summer, your plant should be okay to be left outside. But in winter, this may be an issue. Hence, if you wish to grow outdoors, it may be a good option to grow in containers. This will make it a lot easier to move cactus indoors when the temperature drops in winter.
Good Tip!
If you plan to move your cactus indoors during winter, try using light pots as they will be easier to carry.
Water the plant correctly
Make sure to use warm water of around 35-45 degrees. This is similar to the natural humid conditions of where the cactus originates from. Simulating small details like this will promote plant growth and flowering.
Avoid cold water especially during the winter season.
If you mist the plant, make sure to use warm water. This is because the plant is susceptible to a sudden drop in temperature after misting.
Normal tap water contains many minerals to which the succulent plant is sensitive. Hence, it is better to use soft water. We find fewer minerals in soft water and this is advantageous as it will not affect plant roots or it’s growth.
Distilled water, bottled and rainwater are great examples of soft water to add.
If you have to use tap water, leave it for a couple of hours before use. This helps to soften the water and reduces its mineral content.
Avoid repotting during summer or winter
The best time to repot your plant is at the beginning of spring or early summer. There is less heat stress on the plant and this allows the cactus to grow freely. Do not repot the plant during winter as this inhibits roots to grow. This can cause plant death.
Remember, do not repot often. If you love your artful pots and find yourself guilty of repotting often, this can damage your cactus. Cactus like to be repotted every 2-3 years. But this can be sooner depending on certain factors. I would recommend repotting when the cactus has outgrown the container.
The video below shows you how to repot a cactus.
Allow cacti to go dormant in winter
One mistake planters are often guilty of is they expect cacti to grow year-round. Their green, dull and dry appearance may give this assumption but like most succulents, they need a dormant period to recharge too.
Hence, do not expect growth during the winter. If you push for growth in winter, it can cause thinning and elongation of the cactus. The succulents will grow uneven and nutrients will get depleted quicker. Consequently, the vibrant green colour of the cactus will fade and thus, it will not grow into the pretty cactus you want.
So just to clarify for those who are still in doubt- there is nothing wrong with no growth during winter. Let your cactus go dormant. Leave it for a couple of months and just wait till the spring reason. This will promote the cactus to grow flower buds.
During winter, it is still important to water the succulent but not as frequently when compared to summer. Aim to water the cactus once every 4-6 weeks. This may sound like a long duration between watering, but the reason behind this is explanatory. In summer, water evaporates quickly and more water is required for a net amount to be absorbed by the plant. However, in winter, the temperature is cold and water will evaporate slower. Less water is lost and hence, less water is required.
Good Tip!
Always check the soil before you add water. Invest in a soil moisture meter or use the soak and dry method.
Use fertiliser
Many people assume fertilizers are not needed to grow succulents. This assumption is wrong.
Nutrients are found in the soil. But in most gardens, the nutrient content is not rich enough for plants to fully grow. Fertilizers are a great resource to do add nutrients to a plant. This will help the cactus to grow full and produce a good colour. Your plants will look a lot healthier and will give a quality look to your plants.
During the growth season, try to fertilise once a month. This is when your plant will need nutrients the most and the use of fertilizers prevents essential nutrients from running out. During winter, the plant is dormant and fertilizer has no use. Hold on and wait till the fall to add fertilizer.
Use cacti compost
Cacti compost is vital. Your cactus will grow best when you simulate its natural environment.
Cactus compost can play a big role in this. It is a key ingredient to add to a potting soil mix, something I will discuss below.
Cactus compost does very well to hold onto the water. It holds onto water, preventing water from running off the soil. This gives the cactus enough time to absorb it.
Compost binds the soil together. This prevents soil erosion when it rains or when there is a storm. If you decide to grow outdoors, cactus compost will prevent essential nutrients from being washed away.
On a side note, compost is a great way to get rid of excess waste. With a huge emphasis recently on climate change, this eco-friendly way to effectively recycle waste can help you. You can compost common household waste such as onions or even your flowers that are dying!
Pot with holes
Succulents including cactus do not like to stay moist. Compost, grit and sand are great materials to add to make sure moisture leaves as quickly as possible. However, if you have no pot with drainage holes, there is no means for the excess moisture to leave.
This is a simple method to introduce. Terra cotta pots are great to use and give a good blend of both design and purpose. The image above is a great example. Notice the plate underneath- water drains into this after leaving the pot.
Potting soil mix
The best way to simulate the growing conditions of cactus is to make your potting soil mix.
Grit, sand and pumice with compost give you soil that drains well and prevents the soil from becoming moist. It is important to add the correct amount of each ingredient to a potting mix.
Reminder: Avoid peat due to the environmental damage it can cause.
Final words
Cactus is known to be a very slow plant to grow. Despite this, there are several ways we can kind of catalyse its growth.
The tips above not only help with growth but help keep the plant healthy. The cactus grown will give a good green colour with blossoming flower buds to help keep the cactus alive and growing.
