If you just picked up a new cactus from the local garden center, the first thing you should do is get it out of that generic potting soil. Most store-bought succulents come in soil that’s way too rich and heavy for them. These prickly little guys actually prefer a nutrient-poor, gritty mix. Let’s walk through how to properly repot your cactus into the right substrate.
How to Plant Your Cactus: A Step-by-Step Guide
Before you dive in, grab a new pot and plenty of specialized cactus mix. Safety first: you’ll want a pair of heavy-duty, thorn-proof gloves to protect yourself from those needles. If you don’t have gloves handy, no worries—you can use several layers of folded newspaper or a couple of pieces of Styrofoam to safely grip the plant.
Follow these steps to get your succulent settled:
- Start by creating a drainage layer at the bottom of your pot or planter using quartz gravel, expanded clay pebbles, or small stones.
- Add your first layer of fresh cactus substrate on top of the drainage stones.
- Gently remove the cactus from its old pot. Use a wooden chopstick or skewer to carefully tease away the old soil from the roots.
- Place your succulent into its new home.
- Fill in the remaining space with more cactus mix. Give the pot a few gentle taps on the table as you go to help the soil settle evenly around the roots.
Once your cactus is tucked in, give it a little “me time.” Let it rest for at least two weeks in a partially shaded spot to recover from the stress of the move. Most importantly: hold off on the water during this recovery period!
For the DIY Crowd: Mixing Your Own Cactus Substrate
The perfect cactus soil needs to provide stability, have a loose structure, and absorb water efficiently without getting soggy. A mineral-heavy, porous mix is exactly what these plants crave. If you want to skip the pricey store-bought bags, you can easily whip up your own blend at home:
- Recipe 1: 60% potting soil (seed-starting mix works best) and 40% a mix of pumice and lava granulate.
- Recipe 2: 60% succulent soil, 10% lime-free quartz sand, 10% expanded clay, and 20% pumice.
Whichever recipe you choose, aim for a pH value slightly below 7 (slightly acidic). Avoid using any components that contain lime, as cacti aren’t big fans.
Pro tip: The absolute best time to repot or plant a cactus is during the spring months—March, April, and May—right when they are waking up for the growing season!
