Cacti are fascinating plants, aren’t they? Between those architectural shapes and those “don’t touch me” spines, they have so much personality. But let’s be honest—the real showstopper is when they burst into those vibrant, stunning blooms. If your cactus is being a bit shy lately, don’t worry! I’ve put together the best strategies to help you encourage your prickly friend to finally show off its flowers:
A Winter Nap is the Secret to Spring Blooms
If you want your cactus to put on a colorful show in your living room or out on the balcony, it needs a little “me time” during the cold winter months. In their natural habitats, these succulents are programmed to develop new flower buds during a cool, dry dormant phase.
To get those blooms at home, you just need to mimic Mother Nature. This process involves a little prep work starting in the fall and finding the perfect spot for your plant to overwinter.
Step 1: Setting the Stage
For a successful winter rest, it is super important that your cactus goes into dormancy with soil that is almost completely dry. If the soil stays damp, your succulent survivor is at high risk for rot and mold—which is a total buzzkill for any future flowers.
Starting in September, you should begin watering less and less. Once your desert cactus officially enters its winter nap, stop watering entirely until spring. If you have a leaf cactus (like a Christmas or Thanksgiving cactus), you can give it just a tiny sip every now and then so the root ball doesn’t bone-dry, but keep it minimal!
Step 2: The Golden Rules of Dormancy
Along with cutting back on the water, you absolutely have to stop fertilizing. Giving your plant extra nutrients right now is like giving it a double espresso when it’s trying to sleep; it signals the plant to start growing too early, which kills any chance of buds forming. Temperature is also key: make sure your cactus stays in a bright spot, but keep it cool—ideally no warmer than 54°F (12°C).
Step 3: The “Warm Shower” Wake-Up Call
Your cactus will hang out in its winter quarters from roughly November to March, quietly working on those flower buds. Once spring rolls around, you can wake it up by giving it a gentle “shower” with lukewarm, soft water. This tells the plant that winter is officially over! After its bath, let the plant hang out in a semi-shaded spot near a window for a few days to acclimate before moving it back to its permanent location.
