Cacti are a type of succulents that are usually found in hot, arid environments like the desert.They are quite slow-growing, with some cacti species even living for up to 200 years! So why are the growth stages of a cactus so slow, and what causes this?Their slow growth makes them suitable to keep inside any home. As cactus plants do not have leaves, rather only having thick stems, their ability to absorb sunlight and turn it into plant food is low due to the lack of chlorophyll. This affects their rate of growth, making it far slower than those of other plants. They also grow slowly in order to conserve water that they take in, which is difficult to come by in the harsh climate of the desert. So when planting cacti as a part of indoor gardening, it is very important to not overwater them, as they are used to surviving on low amounts of water, instead, relying on direct sunlight to get their fill of nutrients! With proper care and love, these small succulents can live for around 10 years!Do check out other pages on if cacti are poisonous and California cactus types if you loved this article.Proper ContainerChoosing the proper container to plant your cacti in is essential, as the proper size helps to give the cactus enough space to grow slowly as well as gives the roots the proper room to spread out. If the roots spread out properly, it helps to stabilize the cactus as well as ensures the proper intake of water and nutrients through the soil.Good choices to plant cacti in are unglazed terracotta or clay pots. They are porous in nature, which means that they let air and water escape easily due to the enlarged holes. As cacti have evolved to survive for long periods without water, it is essential for the pots they are planted in to have enough drainage so that any extra water escapes and does not cause damage to the plant. They also absorb water and help to keep the plant cool. However, they may dry up very quickly during the summer which may be a disadvantage. Also, make sure to select a pot that is at least 3-4 in (7.6-10 cm) wider in diameter than the cactus itself, as if the roots grow too large they may end up penetrating the walls of the pot which can lead to breakage. The depth of the pot is also important, as the lower half of the pot accommodates the roots. If your cactus is taller, then get a longer pot, however, if it is shorter and rounder you do not require a pot that is very deep.If your pot does not have any holes at the bottom or you are unable to find one made of clay or terracotta, make sure that you drill a few holes on the bottom to ensure the proper drainage of water. Other good choices are wood, plastic, and metal. Do your research on which type of pot or planter is best suited for keeping cacti in your environment, as various factors like humidity, weather, and intensity of the sunlight can cause their material to react in different ways, which may affect the health of your cactus. Different cactus species may also require different shapes or depths due to their appearance.Types Of CactiA cactus is a great plant for any beginner looking to get into gardening - they require little care and can withstand some neglect from time to time. Some types of cacti need to be watered only once every two to three months due to their high tolerance as a result of being a desert species! They also look very appealing, and with the right pot can fit into any type of home décor. Some types of cactus plants you can bring into your home today are:Barrel Cactus - This round, prickly cactus is a very common type of cactus that has symmetrical rows of spines on the outside. It requires plenty of sun exposure and needs to be watered only once every one to three months, making it a great cactus plant for beginners. Put it in a small round clay pot and keep it near a window for best results,Star Cactus - This round, plump cactus plant looks like a sea urchin, and is quite tiny, making it perfect to keep indoors. The cherry on top is the white or bright yellow flower that grows out of it.Feather Cactus - Though it may look soft and fluffy, beware for this round cactus actually has sharp spikes hidden under the surface! The feathery outside however makes it an adorable addition to your plant collection.Bunny Ear cactus - This flat cactus is often shaped like a bunny head, with two ’ears’ sticking out of the top. Though it does not have spikes like cacti normally do, it does have dot-like structures which can stick to you, called glochids. The adorable shape covered with red polka dots makes this a great cactus to add some color to your garden.Fairy Castle cactus - This multi-branched cactus plant grows very slowly, and its rising branches look like the turrets of a castle! It can reach around 6 ft (1.8 m) in height, but its slow growth means that it can be kept inside as a show plant for a long time before moving it outside.Easter Cactus - This unusually shaped cactus has stems growing out of each other in a layered look. When it is perfectly taken care of, it will bloom around Easter time, in early spring- with beautiful bright pink flowers bursting forth.Bishops Cap Cactus - Named so because of its shape - it is star-shaped, like a bishop’s cap - this small succulent takes up very little space and is very easy to care for as it doesn’t require much watering at all. It may also bloom, with a bright yellow flower peeking out the top.Parodia - The parodia is a small, ball-shaped cactus plant that often comes with a beautiful, colorful flower on top. This species of cacti prefer less sunlight, as well as more water than other cacti to keep it in top shape.Ladyfinger Cactus - This tall cactus is lean and grows skyward, and is also called a gold lace cactus because of the delicate network of spines across its body. It grows up to 6 in (15 cm) tall only and is dotted with white flowers, making it a must-have for your succulent collection.Old Lady Cactus - This ball-shaped, puffy cactus is a great choice for beginners. It looks fluffy due to the tiny spines covering its body - but be careful not to touch it! It easily grows and is not challenging to maintain.Christmas Cactus - This merry, red flowering cactus blooms every year during the holiday season. Rather than a dry atmosphere, it requires a humid environment as well as more water than other cacti.Saguaro Cactus - The representative of all desert cacti, the Saguaro cactus actually grows faster in the suburbs than it does in its native desert environment! With proper irrigation and care, slow-growing Saguaro cacti can be kept inside as their rate of growth is very slow. This cactus grows at the rate of a quarter-inch (0.6 cm) per year, making it very manageable.Suitable EnvironmentCacti will respond well to environments similar to those of their natural desert habitat, which they thrive best in. For indoor cacti, make sure that you place them in a warm spot - preferably by a door or window. They can be kept outside for a few hours every day as well, however, make sure to bring them inside during summer as the intense heat may burn them.Make sure the soil they are planted in provides plenty of drainages, and that the pot is porous in nature. Planting them in moisture heavy soil can rot the roots due to holding in too much water, which will slowly kill your cactus plant. As cacti are used to desert environments, their insides are thick and fleshy, designed to store water for long periods, so don’t worry about not watering them too much - they are doing just fine!Make sure they receive proper ventilation as well, as a lack of fresh air can stunt growth and damage their health. If you are planting a seed from scratch, cover it to protect the seedling and retain humidity, but remove the cover periodically so that it receives air.Soil And ClimateThere are two types of cacti - tropical cacti, and desert cacti - both of which may require slightly different environments.As tropical cacti are used to hot, humid environments, they require more moisture than desert cacti do. They also need moisture-heavy soil, which keeps in water rather than draining it. They also require less sunlight, as they have adapted to growing in jungles, where they are covered by the thick jungle canopies. They are more likely to bloom and yield colorful flowers.For desert cacti, a dry, arid atmosphere is the best. They require more sunlight than water and should take in at least eight hours of sunlight per day. If you are potting one of these cactus plants, then be sure to use soil that has plenty of sand and rocks mixed in, as this promotes the drainage of water which keeps the roots of the plant healthy.Make sure to add the proper fertilizer, as this will give the roots of your plants an additional layer of protection and also adds extra nutrition, stimulating their growth.Caring For Your CactiEven though cactus plants are relatively low maintenance than other plants, there are still a few things to look out for when taking care of these plants.Remember that cacti achieve rapid growth in sunlight, so it’s always best to keep them near a window or on your balcony where they can soak up the rays of the sun. However, do not place small cacti in direct sunlight either, especially during the summer as this can end up burning them. Keep rotating your cacti from time to time so that the entire plant receives light. If your cactus is turning brown or yellow from a radiant green, then it might mean that it is getting sunburn, at which point you should bring them inside.Whenever you are planning to water your cactus plants, make sure that the top layer of soil is all dried out before adding more water. If it is even slightly wet, wait until it dries further to prevent over-watering cacti in your garden, as this can lead to root rot and discoloration of your cactus.If you are repotting your plant, be careful to wear gloves while removing it to prevent the splinters from piercing your skin, as well as remove it carefully in order to not break the cactus roots. If you are thinking of planting them outdoors, then make sure that you prepare your soil by adding potting mix along with the regular garden soil.If you are planning on growing cacti from scratch, make sure that you provide a proper cover for the germinating seeds, in order to trap in moisture for them to grow properly. However, keeping the cover on for too long on cactus seedlings may cut off ventilation, which can affect their growth and even kill them. Make sure the potting soil you plant the seeds in is suitable for succulents and has the right drainage.When planting seedlings, you need a lot of patience as it usually takes between several weeks to months for them to even germinate. Just keep taking care of them, and if you are lucky you will be blessed with a tiny cactus seedling to introduce into your garden!Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for how long does a cactus take to grow then why not take a look at if there are cacti in Africa, or if cacti are succulents?
Cacti are a type of succulents that are usually found in hot, arid environments like the desert.
