How to care for cactus in winter
With the arrival of winter, many plant lovers are beginning to focus on how to care for cacti to ensure that they survive the cold season safely. As a plant that tolerates drought but is afraid of cold, cactus needs special attention in winter maintenance. This article will combine the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to give you a detailed introduction to the key points of winter maintenance of cactus.
1. Core points of winter care for cactus

The key to caring for cactus in winter is to control temperature, reduce watering, provide adequate light, and avoid pests and diseases. The following are specific maintenance recommendations:
| Maintenance points | Specific measures |
|---|---|
| temperature control | Keep the ambient temperature above 5°C to avoid frost |
| Watering frequency | Water once a month or stop watering completely |
| Lighting requirements | At least 4-6 hours of sunlight per day, supplemented by artificial light sources |
| Pest and disease control | Conduct regular inspections and deal with pests and diseases promptly if found |
2. Specific methods of temperature management
Cacti are very sensitive to low temperatures and winter temperature management is crucial. The following are temperature recommendations for overwintering cacti in different regions:
| Area type | winter temperature range | protective measures |
|---|---|---|
| northern region | -10°C to 5°C | Move indoors, away from windows |
| southern region | 5°C to 15°C | Can be overwintered outdoors, but needs to be protected from rain |
| indoor maintenance | Above 15°C | Avoid going near radiators |
3. Scientific method of watering
Cacti are dormant during the winter and have very low water requirements. Here are some tips for winter watering:
| Watering time | Water temperature requirements | Amount of watering |
|---|---|---|
| Choose a sunny day at noon | Close to room temperature | A little moist topsoil |
| Interval time | Water temperature should not be lower than 15°C | About 1/4 of summer |
4. Solutions to meet lighting needs
Cacti are light-loving plants, and insufficient light in winter will cause them to grow leggy. Here are some suggestions for solving lighting problems:
| Lighting problem | solution |
|---|---|
| Not enough natural light | Use plant fill lights |
| Placement | South-facing windowsill is best |
| Fill light time | 4-6 hours a day |
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Based on recent popular discussions on the Internet, we have compiled some frequently asked questions about winter care of cactus:
| question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What to do if the cactus turns yellow in winter | Check whether there is too much water or too low a temperature |
| Do cactus need fertilizing in winter? | Stop fertilizing completely |
| Can cactus be repotted in winter? | Not recommended, wait until spring before changing |
6. Winter adaptability of cactus varieties
Different varieties of prickly pear have different tolerances to cold:
| Variety | Minimum tolerated temperature | Difficulty of winter maintenance |
|---|---|---|
| golden amber | 5°C | more difficult |
| planet genus | 0°C | medium |
| cactus | -5°C | easier |
7. Summary
The core of winter care for cactus is "three less and one more": less watering, less movement, less disturbance, and more light. As long as you control the three key factors of temperature, moisture and light, your cactus can survive the winter safely. Remember, winter is the dormant period for cactus, and over-maintenance can cause damage. When spring comes and flowers bloom, your cactus will be in a healthier state for the new growing season.
Through the above structured data and detailed instructions, I believe you have mastered the key points of winter care for cactus. If you have other questions, please leave a message in the comment area to discuss.
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