Cactus: Flowering Spring

Water During the spring and summer, when your cactus is actively growing and blooming, give it a hearty drink every ten days, allowing the water to drain thoroughly. During the winter rest period, decrease waterings to once every four weeks (and every six weeks for some desert species). The soil should be dry to the touch in between summer waterings and mostly dry in the winter. Temperature and Humidity Cactus prefers hot temperatures, ranging from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. In the winter, the plant prefers a cool-down period, with temperatures hovering near 55 degrees Fahrenheit. In its natural habitat, desert cactus is accustomed to very chilly nights and some species can even withstand nights that dip to 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Still, any indoor plant that's not hardened off needs to be protected from winter drafts. Cactus prefers humidity levels of 40 to 60 percent, which is fairly easy to achieve in most homes. Forest cacti like the air slightly more humid than desert varieties.