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My gardener friend, Rick, overwatered his indoor cactus, and the plant died of root rot. Don’t make this mistake, either. In this register, we have tried to tell you how much care your cactus needs in winter and how it grows.

You can read our register with a cup of coffee in hand. You will have a good time.

You might think that cactus plants come from tropical regions and are used to dry climates, so how do cacti survive in the winter? Will they survive the winter? Or die?

You will be glad that cacti can survive the winter because they have a resilient winter dormancy structure to adapt to the climate.

Winter is a happy season for me. Cold weather is around, and snow falls at night. All in all, I have a good time in winter. But my stress for the plants, mainly those outdoors, was how they would survive the winter. I had to worry about how they would survive frost or sub-freezing weather.

But when I learned that cactus plants go dormant during the winter and stop their expected growth to survive, I felt relieved that I didn’t have to worry so much about my plants. I have adopted a few methods that have allowed me to keep my indoor and outdoor cacti intact.

Do Cacti Survive in Winter?

The first question that may come to your mind is, can they survive in winter? Yes, they can survive.

At the end of winter, they wake up again and continue average growth, call, and flower.

If you live in the southern hemisphere, winter starts in June, and summer begins around December. If you live in the northern hemisphere, winter lasts from mid-December to mid-March.

These are the times when you need to take care of the cactus in your house to save it from winter.

Types of Cactus 

When we look at cactus plants, we can divide them into two categories. The first are those from summer and dry climates, such as ZZ plants, Rebutia cacti, fairy cacti, and more. The others grow as epiphytes on large trees located in tropical rainforests, such as Christmas cacti and Thanksgiving cacti.

Winter-Hardy Cactus

Some species can survive very cold to severe winters (below-freezing). One such variety is the Opuntia cactus (winter cactus), which varies in size and species.

They can survive well in zone nine if the weather is between minus 25°F and 55°F.

We are sharing a video to make you understand how they can live well even in the snow.

You need to know the name and species of the cactus in your house by observation to conduct more thorough research. For this, you can use social media or plant name identity fire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ-FBiWnvh8

Care of
cactus
cacti
plants in winter

Do I Water My Cacti During Winter?

Cactus plants are dormant during the winter, so they don’t need care, but you may need special care to protect them from severe winter.

We monitor various gardening groups on social media. We ask people if they water their plants in winter! We can find out in this study. Sixty per cent of people do not water regularly, but 40 per cent of people water plants. Now, you might need clarification.

What should we do then? Should we give water, or should we avoid giving water?

You should water depending on the location of your plant, the weather, and the climate. The timing of watering the plants may vary depending on the season. In winter, you can water the plant once every 30 to 40 days.

You must avoid overwatering during these times but should water according to the plant’s location. You may need to water once a month during the winter season.

Since plants are from tropical regions and are succulents, they can store water in different parts of their bodies, such as leaves, stems, rhizomes, or branches.

In nature, cacti face extreme heat and cold, so they can struggle to survive. You will know that your cactus plant is in distress when it begins to curl. You should water it sparingly and make sure not to overwater it.

Outdoor Cacti

You may have cactus plants inside your house or outside in your backyard. In winter, you move the plants to a shed or greenhouse.

Plants planted directly in the ground do not need to be removed. You can cover the plants with burlap. Plants can breathe in cold weather. These burlaps have numerous holes, allowing light to enter, reaching the cactus, and ensuring air circulation. Protect your plants from snow and fog.

If cacti are planted in outdoor tubs, you can bring the plants indoors or place them inside a greenhouse.

Indoor Cacti

In the winter season, you may not even get a glimpse of the sun for days. You can use a grow light if a cactus is on your windowsill and does not get any sun.

Grow lights will give your cactus enough light to produce food through photosynthesis. Move them near the window when sunlight reaches. Change the position of the plants to ensure that the entire plant gets light.

Moving on not to overwater, water the cactus by applying the finger method.

If you have a moisture meter at home, test the soil and water.

Do not feed cactus in winter. Avoid applying fertilizers. Do not apply fertilizer to the cactus in autumn or winter. It is best to apply fertilizers throughout the growth season.

Applying fertilizers means increasing the growth of plants, but this season is not the growing season for plants, so let’s not apply fertilizers to plants.

Can i Prune Cactus Branches in Winter?

It is better not to prune in winter because the cactus is dormant. If the leaves have turned yellow or brown in winter, I prune them.

Do not repot indoor cacti during the winter. At this time, the cactus roots and plant cells are in a dormant state and do not grow at all.

You may be disappointed that they will not grow even if you put them in a new pot or medium. Keep the room temperature right; if it’s snowing outside, move the plants into a temperature-controlled room. But keep them away from directly in front of the heater.