Cacti Care: Desert Plants Indoors

I killed my first cactus by overwatering—figured "desert plant" meant I could ignore it indefinitely, which, it turns out, is somehow worse! Now I've got a little collection of around a dozen succulents, mostly cacti, and the difference proper drainage and restraint make is honestly night and day. Thanks for putting together a guide like this; I wish I'd had something this clear when I was starting out!

I've been intimidated by cacti for ages because I assumed they'd be *easier* than my tropical obsessions, but then I nearly killed two in a row by overwatering—turns out my "set it and forget it" approach doesn't work when you live somewhere cold and damp! I'm excited to read through this guide since I'm determined to finally get one to actually thrive instead of just... exist in my apartment. Do you have tips for watering frequency in winter when growth basically stops?

I've found that the biggest game-changer for my cacti has been resisting the urge to water them as much as I initially thought they needed. I killed my first two by being too generous, but now I stick to watering only when the soil is completely dry and it's the growing season. Since I'm in an arid climate, that's maybe once a month in summer for me. It's such a relief to have plants that actually prefer neglect.

I've had good success with my Ferocactus species indoors by mimicking their natural dormancy cycle—they really do need that cool, dry winter rest to flower reliably. The biggest mistake I see people make is overwatering, especially in lower light conditions. Even in my tropical climate, I keep them in the brightest window available and let the soil dry completely between waterings, which honestly feels counterintuitive when you're used to tending other houseplants.

I appreciate the focus on cacti care, though I'd gently push back on the "desert plants indoors" framing—many popular species like *Schlumbergera* are actually tropical epiphytes that prefer more frequent watering and shade. My three cacti include a *Ferocactus* that genuinely thrives on neglect, but I've found success with others by matching their origin climate rather than assuming all cacti want the same bone-dry treatment.

I've kept a few succulents over the years, but I have to admit cacti still intimidate me a bit—I'm much more comfortable with herbs! That said, I tried growing a small prickly pear indoors last winter and was shocked at how little it actually needed once I stopped fussing with it. My biggest mistake was watering too often; I had to learn that "neglect" is basically the whole strategy. Did you cover anything about adjusting care seasonally, or is the approach pretty consistent year-round?

I appreciate the focus on cacti care, though I have to admit they're not really my thing—I'm much more into edibles and vegetable gardening! That said, I've kept a few Opuntia species alongside my tomatoes and peppers because they're so low-maintenance. Do you go into watering frequency in the full guide? I've noticed a lot of beginners underwater their cacti in temperate climates where humidity is actually higher than people expect, and I'd love to know if that's something you address.