How to Care for Flowering Cactus Varieties

While most cacti produce flowers, many varieties of flowering cacti only do so when grown outdoors or under certain conditions. For lovers of houseplants, the good news is that there are still plenty of flowering cacti happily growing indoors and producing stunning buds. The key to optimal cactus flowering is growing conditions that mimic their natural environment.

Encouraging blooming in a blooming cactus
To encourage blooming flowering cacti, simulate the desert conditions in which they grow. These conditions include plenty of heat, sunlight, and proper watering practices. Restoring the plant’s dormant phase during the winter is key to a cactus flowering in its next growing season. Even under optimal conditions, some varieties of cacti do not flower until they are several years old.

Flowering cactus needs light
Place flowering cacti in a south or west-facing window to provide the direct sunlight they need. On average, cacti need six to eight hours of full sunlight per day. Provide direct sunlight from early spring through fall for the best growth and flowering potential. Keep blooming cacti in the same spot in the fall when sunshine hours are naturally decreasing in your area. During the winter, most flowering cacti need a period of dormancy, called dormancy, to divert energy from growth to bud production. Less sunlight is needed during this period.

temperature and humidity
Flowering cacti require warm temperatures to trigger flowering. In spring and summer, aim for temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 26 degrees Celsius). The average household temperature plus a spot by a sunny window will usually provide enough warmth.