It’s summer, so you think your cacti will be the happiest. But here are a few things you need to avoid to keep from losing your entire plant!
While you might think cacti have the time of their lives in summer (and frankly, they do), some common mistakes can make you lose the whole plant! Yes, cacti can sometimes be “prickly” with their care, too. So, here are a few things cacti can’t stand that you should avoid this summer.
Things to Avoid Doing to Cacti This Summer
1. Using the Wrong Pot
Most cacti from stores come in plastic pots, which aren’t ideal long-term. You need containers with drainage holes and made of materials like terracotta or ceramic. These help the soil dry out faster and regulate root temperature.
If you’re still using plastic ones, it’s time for a pot switch before summer hits. And remember to avoid dark pots outdoors—they soak up heat and can literally cook the roots!
2. Using the Wrong Soil Mix
Another thing you’ll notice is that store-bought cacti are often planted in basic potting soil, which holds too much moisture. That’s a no-go in summer.
What you need is a well-draining soil mix, especially made for cacti. When you grow cacti in your home, you want to mimic the conditions of their natural habitat, which are generally desert or arid regions. You can do this by amending the soil compost with inorganic horticultural grit.
Often, cactus specialists go for completely inorganic mixes, but if you don’t feel confident enough to do that, just add a small amount of inorganic material to your cactus soil mix. If your soil stays damp for over two days, that’s your plant raising a red flag!
3. Not Watering Properly
New cactus owners often hear “water sparingly”—but what does that really mean? Just skip the spritzing. Cacti prefer a deep soak, like desert rain, followed by long dry spells. Water thoroughly and let it all drain out.
Try bottom watering—just dip the pot base in a shallow tray of water. Rainwater is best, if you can collect it.
Important: Never mist your cactus! That encourages fungus and weak growth. Cacti like a good drink, not a shower.
4. Choosing the Wrong Location for your Cacti
Even during summer, you must choose the right location for your cacti to thrive and not just survive. If you’re growing them indoors, go for a bright spot—ideally a south-facing window. North-facing windows are a complete no-no as they do not provide ample sunlight for cacti.
In case you don’t have a sunny window, invest in a grow light or risk your cactus reaching for any sliver of light it can find.
If your cactus has been indoors, ease it into full sun gradually. A sudden blast of sunlight can cause sunburn—even to heat-loving types.
5. Ignoring Summer Dormancy (For Some Cacti)
Yes, not all cacti grow actively in summer! Some, like certain Mammillarias or Echinopsis species, may go dormant during peak heat. If your cactus seems to “pause” in growth, don’t panic. Reduce watering and wait it out—forcing water or feed during dormancy can stress the plant.
So, these are the things you absolutely must avoid when growing cacti in summer. Have you been guilty of any of these mistakes before? Let us know in the comments below!
