Top 7 Effective Ways to Make Your Cactus Grow Faster

Why Are Cacti Slow Growers?

Before taking an in-depth look at the main topic of how to make cactus grow faster, we first need to determine what makes cactus grow so slowly. 

Temperature

Cactus plants grow slowly as a survival mechanism. In their natural habitat, the desert, nutrients and water are scarce, and the soil is extremely dry. 

Bigger plants need more water and nutrients to carry out photosynthesis, so because cactus plants in the desert don’t get enough of either, this makes it a terrible idea for them to grow fast.

As a result, the main focus of cacti is to survive by not overgrowing. They choose to conserve water rather than sprouting a lot of new growth so they could survive through a drought.

The Absence of Leaves

This is a pretty obvious thing about cactus plants: they don’t have leaves. They might have ‘spines’ but not leaves. Water received by a plant’s roots often evaporates through the leaves. 

But imagine if cacti were in the desert and had leaves that allowed water to evaporate out of the cactus instead of the cactus storing it. Cactus plants would have very slim chances of survival! 

However, because cacti lack leaves, they do not absorb the sun’s rays the same way other plants do. And, of course, a plant’s ability to produce energy through photosynthesis depends on its ability to absorb the sun’s rays.

Chlorophyll levels are higher in plants with bigger leaves. This chemical is responsible for the green color of plants and is also an important element of photosynthesis. Because cacti lack leaves, their chlorophyll levels are lower, limiting their capacity to absorb sunlight and use it to make food. 

Cacti are often covered in a cotton-like substance to shield them from the harsh desert sun, making it even more difficult to soak in the rays. It’s no surprise that cactus is a slow-growing plant!

Few Stomata

Stomata are tiny holes or apertures in the tissue of a plant that allow gas exchange.  They’re most common in plant leaves, but they can also be found in stems as well. Cacti have fewer stomata than other plants, which also contributes to their slow growth.

As a plant’s stomata open to take in carbon dioxide, some of the water in its leaves evaporates. Cacti wouldn’t survive in the desert if they lost a lot of water through their stomata, so they have evolved to have less stomata than other plants.Because cactus plants have fewer stomata, they don’t consume as much carbon dioxide, thus limiting their ability to photosynthesize. 

In short, all the survival methods of cacti are the reason why they grow super slowly, pretty interesting, right? 

7 Ways How to Enhance the Growth of Your Cacti

Now that we know why cacti are slow growers, we’re about to reveal to you the most effective ways to make cacti resist their slow-growing nature and grow faster! 

Soil is Key

In order to speed up the growth process, the soil should be well-drained and packed with nutrients. Use potting soil made up of a mixture of porous inorganic material (gravel, sand, grit, granite) and a smaller amount of organic media (peat moss, coco coir). This allows for proper drainage.

You can easily make cactus potting soil yourself as it’s very straightforward, but if you don’t want to bother, you can opt to spend more money on commercial potting mix.  

Indoors, cactus plants don’t need tons of nutrients. As a result, rich organic ingredients like compost, peat moss, or wood chips aren’t required in a cactus potting mix. These components also hold too much moisture, causing root rot and potentially killing your cactus. 

Adjust The Light

Look for the sunniest spot in your house and keep your cactus plant there to soak up the sun rays. During the summer, you can keep your cactus on a windowsill, balcony, or even outside. Cacti on south-facing windowsills may need to be shaded during peak hours. West- and north west-facing window sills are ideal for desert or tropical cacti that need shaded light.

Always rotate your cactus once a week to ensure that the entire plant receives sunlight, this also prevents them from being sunburnt or turning white due to the high heat. It’s usually fine outside, but temperatures behind a glass wall may be scorching. 

Allow your cactus plant to be in direct sunlight for no more than a few hours at a time, especially in hot weather. However, this will differ depending on the species.

If you live in an area where there isn’t much sunlight, you’ll want to invest in a good-quality grow light, which is an excellent way to keep your cacti healthy all throughout the year and encourage their growth. 

Remember that cacti are accustomed to high heat and light in their natural habitat, but they are not accustomed to it indoors in your home. You should gradually bring them to the sun to avoid burns that might kill your cactus.

If you want to mist cactus, do it very early in the morning before the sun rises or late in the evening after the sun has set. This is because the spines will be just heated, which will help water to evaporate. Don’t spray your cactus plant during periods of extreme heat, since water acts as a lens and can cause the plant to burn.

Allow Proper Air Exchange

For cacti to survive, good air exchange is a must. High humidity is the worst thing for desert cactus, as that makes it die slowly. Don’t place the plant under an AC as sudden temperature changes can negatively affect its health. Also, avoid placing it near radiators in the winter, and pick a cool area instead.

When keeping your cactus indoors, make sure they’re in a sunny area like a balcony, windowsill, or even outside. Never ever keep cacti in closed terrariums!

Let your cacti stay outside throughout the summer, if possible; the fresh air will help them thrive. However, if the temperature in your area drops below 55° Fahrenheit (13° Celsius) during the summer months, you should never water your plants in the evenings. In this case, bring them inside instead.

Whenever the temperature drops at night and rises in the morning, you can mimic morning dew by spraying with hot water or watering. Summer daytime temperatures of approximately 80-86° Fahrenheit (27-30° Celsius) are perfect for most cacti.

If you’re going to use cacti in your terrarium, do it only for a few days. That’s because cactus plants have a hard time absorbing water in a glass container since there are no drainage holes.

Try Out THIS New Watering Technique 

Water your cactus plants before the sun comes up, then protect them using a plastic cloche or any cover. When the sun shines on your cacti, the humidity inside the cover increases, and voila, you just mimicked the hot, rainy summer weather in the cactus’s natural environment!

Keep it on for about an hour, then gradually open the cover. Don’t do it all at once because the temperature variations will be too overwhelming for the cactus.

When watering your plants, opt for warm water between 86°-104° Fahrenheit (30°-40° degrees Celsius). When misting, go for hot water because the temperature of the water decreases suddenly and dramatically after you spray the plant.

Say No To Hard Water

Since cacti are very sensitive to minerals, watering them with soft water can speed up the growing process. Minerals from hard water can build up in the soil and can reach dangerously high levels. This obstructs the development of cacti and can possibly result in root death.

Rainwater, bottled water, and distilled water are the best options for watering cactus. You can check the water’s hardness with a TDS meter before using it. Aim for up to 150ppm. 

If tap water is your only choice, let it sit outside in an open dish for about two hours prior to watering. If you use hard water, you’ll need to repot your cactus plant on a regular basis. Otherwise, your cacti’s development will be slower.

Repot your cactus every year if you’re using tap water, as opposed to every two or three years if you’re using soft water.

Fertilize Your Cactus Plants

Fertilizing your cacti is a great way for them to flower and grow.  However, you have to be careful with this, as dormant cactus should not be fertilized. Cacti should only be fertilized in the growing season.

The best form of fertilizer for cactus is slow-release fertilizer. It will feed cacti for a longer period of time (up to 6 months in some cases). 

Fertilizer can be put at the bottom of the container with egg shells or bone meal. It will gradually release nutrients without shocking the cactus plant, mimicking natural fertilization in their natural habitat.

A great alternative is to use a liquid fertilizer that you dissolve in water and apply to the cactus plant while watering. Choose a fertilizer with lower nitrogen content and a greater potassium content. Mix with water and use as instructed during the summer growth season.

Repot, Repot, Repot

When it comes to maintaining cacti and helping them grow faster, repotting the plant every once in a while is a game-changer. Repotting cacti is an essential step as the soil accumulates the excess amounts of unused fertilizer and water over time. Cacti also need more space for roots as they grow. 

The frequency with which you should repot your cactus is determined by the type of water you use and whether or not your cactus has outgrown its container. You’ll need to take it out and examine the roots to determine that. Repot the plant every year if you’re using tap water, and every two or three years or so if you’re using soft water.

Be careful not to damage the roots. You must only repot your cactus plants into dry soil and wait 10 days before watering them. This will allow the roots to recover before absorbing water, reducing the risk of infection.

After you repot the cacti, keep them out of direct sunlight until you water them again. If you pot your cactus plants in large containers, they won’t be able to absorb the water they need. A perfect container for your plant should have a few inches on each side and some additional depth, but not too much. To provide space for root growth, keep the plant at the same height.

Adding a slow-release fertilizer can also enhance the growth of your cacti. Make sure to wash and disinfect your containers prior to using. And always make sure to pick ones that have drainage holes.

Key Takeaways

Cacti are beautiful, but because of how tricky it can sometimes be to plant them and maintain them, they’re not for everyone. You have to be a dedicated, patient gardener to take care of them and wait until they grow. 

You can, however, speed up this process by using a couple of tips with the soil, sunlight, water, and fertilization. These 7 tricks can significantly enhance the growth of your cacti and let you enjoy their beauty much faster!