How to Get Cactus to Bloom

Cacti are usually grown as houseplants.

For the most part, cactus is a desert plant that likes dry sunshine and warmth. To get cactus to bloom, you must provide adequate watering and fertilizer. You might not kill cacti with neglect, but they will grow better and bloom regularly with proper care. Grow cactus in well-drained soil, and use a potting mix specially prepared for succulents. Cacti go dormant during the winter months when the amount of sunshine shining through your windows is reduced and the temperature on the windowsill is cooler.

Things You'll Need

• Potting soil specially formulated for growing cacti and succulents
• Water
• Fertilizer

Instructions

1. Grow cactus in full sun. A warm, sunny, south-facing windowsill is ideal. Without adequate light, cactus will not bloom. If conditions are too cold, the cactus go dormant and won't bloom.

2. Fertilize cactus regularly during the growing season, about twice a month. Use a water soluble fertilizer that contains 15 percent nitrogen, 15 percent potassium, 30 percent phosphorus and all the trace elements. Read the directions on the box and mix it at half strength. Cactus blooms appear on new growth.

3. Water cactus when the soil is dry. If in doubt, do not water. The most common cause of death is overwatering. Cacti can survive prolonged periods of drought, although they do need water for them to bloom.

Tips & Warnings

• Repot cactus every two or three years, when its roots outgrow the pot, to keep it healthy and blooming.

References

• "The Complete Book Of Cacti and Succulents"; Terry Hewitt; 1993

Resources

• Aggie Horticulture: Cactaceae Cactus Family