Cactus and Cold Weather | Help Your Cactus Survive Winter

Is It Possible For Cactus to Survive The Snow?

The answer is yes. But it depends upon several factors and the species of cactus in question. 

First of all, most deserts tend to record extreme temperatures. This means that the days are very hot and the nights are very cold. According to data by NASA, deserts get an average maximum temperature of about 100° F and an average minimum temperature of 25° F.

Knowing this, it is safe to say that cacti are already used to living in a range of temperatures. They also tend to be well-trained to adapt to rapidly changing environments.

So, How Much Can A Cactus Actually Handle?

We have established that most cacti can survive in harsh temperatures and conditions. They can live in hot as well as cold conditions.

But, how much cold can a cactus tolerate?

In the deserts, the nights achieve sub-zero temperatures regularly. This means that a cactus faces temperatures as low as -15° C every other night. 

However, their actual capacity in terms of cold hardiness can be more. 

There are a lot of varieties of cold hardy cactus that can survive even in temperatures way below the freezing point. These include the petite hedgehog cactus and the famous snow prickly pear cactus. 

These cacti can handle extremely low temperatures, way below the 0° F freezing point. The Opuntia Erinacea Ursine (Snow Prickly Pear) and Opuntia Humifusa (Eastern Prickly Pear) are well-known for their ability to thrive in cold conditions.

These cold hardy cacti can survive in temperatures as low as -35° F. (Just a reminder, water freezes at 32⁰ F!)’

How Do The Opuntia Cacti Do It?

Any plant requires favorable conditions to thrive. When these conditions are not met, the plants have to execute their contingency plans.

This is what these prickly pear cacti excel in.

In the cold winters, when the low temperature does not allow the cactus to perform regular functions and grow, it goes dormant. 

The cactus stops growing for a brief period, stops other bodily processes such as tissue reparation, growth, and even water ingestion.

They reduce the water levels inside themselves and distribute whatever water they have uniformly across the whole plant. This adaptability greatly reduces the risk of a freeze, other diseases, and death.  

Plants have special pores on the epidermis of their cells called stomata. The stomata facilitate photosynthesis by letting the plant inhale CO2 and providing an outlet for water vapor.  

When the cacti go dormant in winter they also use these stomata to reduce their water levels, which again, in turn, reduces the risk of freezing. 

Can Your Cactus Do It Too?

For those of us who live in regions where the climate is generally cold, there can be some uncertainty regarding how successful your cactus growing endeavor will be. 

Cacti that live in typically arid regions are more adapted to handling rapidly changing conditions. Home cacti on the other hand are usually less hardy to cold conditions, and generally only appreciate adequate sunlight and dry environments. 

Many home cacti may still be able to survive the cold waves of winters, but one cannot rely solely upon the plant’s hardiness to make do.

There are many other factors involved in the proper growth of your cactus. This includes moisture, exposure to light, watering, and positioning. Proper care will ensure that your cactus gets through winter. 

Protecting Your Cactus In Winter

There are various things you can do to ensure your cactus gets through winter. From its placement to ensuring it gets required sunlight, there are a range of activities that will improve the chances of your cactus making it through this period. 

Give Your Plant A Roof To Rely On

If you live in a region where you get snowfall during the winters, it is important that you shift your cactus to a place where it will be safe from all the snow and moisture. 

Moisture can adversely affect the plant’s health, causing problems like stem rot, mushiness, and even discoloration of the plant. If it is kept out in the open and maintains regular contact with moisture, it can eventually end up dying. 

The best idea is to keep your cactus indoors, or under your porch where it will be shielded from any snow or water. 

This will also protect your plant from cold winds as well. 

Let Them Get Their Daily Dose Of Sun

Your cactus will appreciate you repositioning it indoors, but what it will appreciate more is ample sunlight! It is a fact that most cacti love being under the sun.

Ideally, if you do not receive snowfall, you can simply put your cactus under a shed where it gets adequate overhead cover. This will allow your cactus to get as much sunlight as possible in the day. 

If snowfall is imminent, you can simply put your cactus indoors on a west-facing or a south-facing window. These windows receive the most sunlight in a home and are prime spots to keep your indoor cactus in. 

Ensure that there are no obstructions between the sun and your spiny succulent. This includes any dust or dirt that has settled on the plant, since it can affect the plant’s capacity to absorb sunlight. 

Grow Light For Growth

In case the sun doesn’t show up for a while during winter, you might have to arrange for an alternative source of light for your cactus. 

You can get plant grow lights for your indoor setting, and set it up with your cactus to ensure it gets the most optimal conditions to live in. While grow lights are weaker compared to actual sunlight, prolonged exposure can do the trick for your cactus. 

Bring The Watering To A Halt 

Since the plant stores water in its cells, any excess water can quickly freeze. When water freezes, it expands, which creates irreparable frost damage to the cactus. 

When the cactus goes dormant in winter, its water requirements go down as well. The cactus lets out any excess water it holds to avoid the risk of death by freezing. 

In its dormant state, the cactus also tends to use little to no water, so any extra watering can also lead it down the path of root rot and decay. 

Given this, your cactus will be able to survive at least two weeks without needing any extra H2O. Keep the watering infrequent and minimal.

Trap Some Heat For Your Beloved Cactus

During the darkest days of the winter, you can consider providing thermal assistance to your cactus by covering it with an insulating material. 

You can easily procure frost cloths through online shopping or a local plant nursery. These cloths excel at covering your plants from foreign elements and trapping any residual heat of the soil with the plant.

This can help protect your plant from freezing, and give it some semblance of heat, which can truly keep your plant going.

Alternatively, you can use burlap fabric to serve the same purpose. Burlap fabric doesn’t let any cold air through it and keeps the plant warm.

Optimize the New Home

Winters can bring along sinister friends, like cold waves and humidity. Cacti can quickly develop rot and discolorations if subject to latent humidity, which can spell havoc on your dormant desert flora.

In indoor conditions, you can consider using a room heater and a dehumidifier to optimize the conditions for your cactus.

Also, make sure to keep the cactus in a spot where it’ll be dry.

To Fertilize or Not?

Cacti do not require fertilizers in general. However, a small amount of fertilizer can indeed facilitate their growth. 

But, in winters, cacti tend to stop all bodily processes. Fertilizing them in such a situation can cause diseases, and weaken the roots of the plant. 

Bottom Line

Cacti are extremely hardy in nature and can overcome the most challenging conditions. Wild cacti, like those of the Opuntia family, can easily survive the prospects of wintertime and freezing temperatures.

However, at home, cacti require certain precautions and care to make it past these demanding months.

With the tips mentioned above, you can ensure that your cactus remains in its best state as winter passes. Even though these tips apply to all cacti, specifics may change depending upon the cacti you are growing at home.