Cactus & Succulent Winter Care: Easy Guide 4K, by Gardening at Douentza on YouTube. 10 min 12 s.
- Video length
- 10 min 12 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Look over every plant before the cold sets in. Clear dead leaves and flowers from the compost surface and check leaf undersides and stem joints for mealybugs and scale.
Stop feeding in late autumn. Cacti and most succulents rest in winter, and extra nutrients push soft, weak growth that rots in cold, damp air.
Cut watering right back. Let the compost dry out completely, then water only lightly every four to six weeks, and keep desert cacti fully dry from November to March.
Move plants to a cool, bright, frost-free place. Most cacti and succulents do best at 5 to 10°C in a greenhouse, porch or unheated spare room.
Keep pots away from radiators, fires and warm dry air, which keeps plants growing when they should be resting.
Give them as much light as you can. Put house plants on a south-facing windowsill and clean greenhouse glass so nothing shades them.
Open greenhouse vents and doors on mild, dry days. Moving air is the best defence against grey mould and rot through winter.
Protect outdoor and balcony succulents. Move pots under cover or wrap them in horticultural fleece, and tilt pots so rain drains away.
Check plants every few weeks. Remove soft, brown or mouldy leaves straight away and move affected plants somewhere drier and cooler.
Tips and common mistakes
Cold and wet kills far more cacti than cold alone, so keep the compost dry through the darkest weeks.
Never wrap plants in plastic sheeting, as it traps moisture and encourages rot.
Water in the morning on a mild day so any spilled water dries before night.
Wear thick gloves and use a clean, sharp knife when cutting out rot from spiny plants.
Questions
How often should I water cacti in winter?
At most every four to six weeks, and many desert cacti need no water at all between November and March. Always wait until the compost is completely dry first.
Can cacti survive a frost?
Most desert cacti cope with a light frost if the compost is dry, but wet compost plus freezing is fatal. Move pots under cover once nights drop near 5°C.
Why is my cactus going soft and brown at the base?
That is usually rot from too much water and stale air. Cut back watering, improve ventilation and cut out the damaged parts with a clean knife.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
