How can cactus live without water

Share on twitter. Share on pinterest. A Detailed Explanation No matter how hard these desert plants are, they cannot survive without water forever. Most cacti plants also have an extensive but shallow root system Since rain is usually sporadic in arid areas, these plants have developed thick stems that allow them to store as much water as possible for longer periods.

Here are some simple guidelines to follow while watering your plant: During the growth season — usually from spring to fall- your plant requires regular watering and fertilizing. During the hotter summer months, make sure you water your plant at least twice a week. However, many plants tend to rest in a state of semi-dormancy from late fall to early spring and may need less water then. If you live in a relatively wetter area, you may not need to water your cacti plants during this period.

Always let the soil dry out completely before watering again. Check to ensure that the top few inches of the soil are completely dried out before you water your plant. If the soil sticks on your finger, give the plant some time before watering again. The most important thing to do is to test and carefully watch your plant to see how much water it requires during the cold season. Plants in pots usually require more water than those planted directly in the ground.

Therefore, be sure to adjust your watering accordingly. Watch out for signs of under-watering or over-watering of your plant. An underwatered cactus will look pale, skinny, rubbery, or deflated.

Answering the following simple questions should help you establish how often to water your cactus plant: Does it have spines? Generally, if your cactus plant has a lot of spines, it might need less water than one with few spines. Most cacti plants have spines that are modified into leaves to prevent water loss through evaporation. The spines reduce water loss by restricting the flow of dry air near the plant The spines trap air on the surface of the plant, creating a highly insulating layer that reduces transpiration and evaporation.

Does it have leaves or stems? Typically, the thinner the leaves, the more water the cactus will need. Is it small or large? In general, small cacti plants require less water compared to larger ones. Does it have a solid stem? If your plant has a solid stem, it is probably great at conserving its water reservoir. The stem usually serves as the primary water storage area for a cactus plant. If the stem is ribbed, it allows the cactus plant to shrink or swell with water like an accordion.

How to Water Your Cactus There are different ways of watering cactus , and the method you choose to use will most likely depend on your preference. Typically, if you have planted your cactus in a plant pot, do the following: Carefully place the plant pot in a saucer with sufficient water Let the roots of your plant absorb moisture for some time Once you think the soil in the plant pot is wet halfway up, carefully take it out of the saucer Some people prefer watering their cacti plants by carefully submerging them in water.

Share on email. Share on print. Related stories. Does Cactus Root in Water? Learn how to root a cactus in water in 4 quick steps: gather the cuttings, dry them, place them in water, and just wait for them to root! Stay safe when handling prickly cacti. Read More. How to Propagate Aloe Vera Plant? The aloe vera plant is among one of the most common houseplants that nearly any home can sustain.

For this reason, many might wonder how to take cuttings from an aloe vera plant and plant it. This can be done simply by adopting one of three different splitting techniques. Air plants are beautiful living plants that grow without soil. Their unique leaves absorb the nutrients they need from the air, so they can literally be hung in your window or on your wall.

However, if neglected the leaves will begin to turn color and shrivel, so here are some tips on how to save a rotting air plant. Looking for a complicated, yet interesting cactus for your garden?

The Jumping cholla Cactus should be part of your list. These low-maintenance plants are not only fast growing but also lenient to the busy and forgetful lot. While many people are still unaware that Aloe Vera produces flowers, the plant blooms when it reaches its maturity stage. This ultimate guide shares 10 essential tips to make your Aloe Vera bloom. And how do spines make a cactus more efficient at water consumption than other plant species?

The leaves of most broad-leafed plant species have at least two important jobs to do. Second, they play a crucial role in photosynthesis. Many broad-leafed plants rely on their leaves to contribute significantly to their water gathering efforts as well.

The part of a plant that takes in the carbon dioxide that the plant will convert to oxygen during photosynthesis is called a stoma, and it is usually located in the leaf stem of broad-leafed plants. Of course, photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight to nourishment. So, beyond taking in the fuel for photosynthesis, leaves also collect the sunlight that provides the missing ingredients.

Cacti have come up with creative twists on each of these processes to become better at surviving without much water. So, their stomata are located in places that tend to permit a great deal of evaporation. They open during daylight hours, which further compounds the rate of evaporation. The spines themselves make a big difference in the rate of evaporation because of their reduced surface area in comparison to broad leaves.

Most plants take the easiest route between where they are and where they want to be. When it comes to photosynthesis, that means opening their stoma during daylight hours to take advantage of the abundant light. But if a cactus were to do this, they would lose unacceptable amounts of moisture to evaporation during the heat of the day. Since desert environments have plentiful sunlight, they are able to get by on what they collect through the membranous coatings on their stalks.

Conducting all of their breathing at night means that cacti have to store the carbon dioxide that they take in overnight until they can use it in photosynthesis when the sun comes up. This is another evolutionary adaptation that makes cacti capable of doing what they do in the places where they do it.

When you get right down to it, most cacti are nothing more than fleshy, leafless stems with an array of spines. There are two main functions that the spines serve in the life of the cactus plant. The first one is pretty obvious if you think about it, but the second function might not be as easy to pick up on just by looking at a cactus. The first thing that spines do for a cactus is to protect it from grazing animals. Think about all of the broad-leafed plants that get munched on by birds, insects, and mammals.

Now, think about how attractive a plant would be to those same grazers if it was located in the middle of a desert and filled with life-sustaining moisture. Spines also do their part to help a cactus plant capture every drop of water that comes within its range. When you look at a tree, you see a trunk, branches, stems, and leaves. When you look at ornamental or edible flowering plants, you see a stalk, stems, leaves, and flowers.

But, as we noted earlier, a cactus is just a root network underground with a single stem that is covered in spines. The body of the cactus plant has a number of advantages that cacti rely on to survive in dry climates. It takes an all-hands-on-deck approach. The stem or stalk that makes up the main body of a cactus plant is a highly specialized version of a trunk or stalk that you would find on broad-leafed plants like trees and flowers.

It has evolved to be as efficient at water storage and conservation as it is possible for a plant to be. This has required cacti to adapt the internal composition, exterior surface, and even shapes that their main bodies feature. Most cacti bodies are globular, and some even incorporate ridges. Storage capacity and water retention are the primary concerns for most cactus plants, so it just makes sense that they devote so much of their bodies to ensuring that these two tasks get taken care of.

Of course, everything that lives also wants to grow and reproduce. Even the way that cacti approach these basic biological imperatives reflects the central importance of making the most out of the limited amount of water they get. The life cycle of a cactus plant is directly linked to its ability to gather, store, and conserve water.

The first is the globe-shaped body style that many cactus plants have. The third feature is a thick, waxy exterior surface. The benefit of a globular body is that it offers more internal storage capacity with less exposure to the pressures of evaporation. Whereas a vining body-style like you find with ivy or a tall, thin stalk and broad flower like you find with sunflowers leave the plant at a disadvantage to evaporation, a cactus holds all of its water inside.

When rain is infrequent, and dewfall is minimal, a cactus has to be able to grab as much as it can during the rare times when water is plentiful. Instead of keeping the water out, it works to hold the water in.

Without getting too philosophical about it, we can probably agree that there is more to life than simply surviving. So, it makes sense that a cactus wants to survive not just for the sake of surviving but for the purpose of growing and reproducing. But with water at a premium, the cactus has to factor the energy demands of growth and reproduction into its plans.

That means that most cacti only grow larger during times when water is abundant. It also means that most cacti have evolved to go dormant with regard to blossoming except for those times when water is plentiful. In this way, their life cycle resembles those of other species that have evolved as highly-specialized desert dwellers.

A desert landscape after a rainstorm will look vibrant for a time only to return to normal as things dry out. Scientists have cut into the bodies of cactus plants many months after they have died only to find that they still retain the essential, life-sustaining moisture that they were storing when they died. Most plants can rely on their root system for stability and water collection at the same time without having to make any trade-offs in the process.

Most cactus plants have shallow and broadly dispersed root systems. When a cactus is placed indoors, you must check for the humidity especially if the type of cactus that you have is native to arid areas. In general, you can water less if the area where you placed your cactus is more humid.

To be sure, always check if the soil is dry even if indoors. As stated before, treat winter as the resting season for your cactus. If your cactus is in dormant period, you need to water them even less than usual.

For instance, a safe estimate is to water them once every four to six weeks or just once a month. Basically, your cactus just need enough water to get through winter.

So, you get the idea not to water your plant too regularly. Then, how would you know when to water your cactus?

As an owner, you should know when your plant is in distress. If your cactus is in dire need of water, you might notice a slight discoloration on the overall appearance of it. Most of the time your cactus will looks brown and dry. To know the optimal time when to water your cactus, check these steps:.

It can be quite tricky to spot an overwatered cactus because if you look outside, your cactus might look really plump and healthy. In fact, they can even show new growth. If your cactus is overwatered, the roots will surely rot and it can hard to revive them. In some instances, overwatered cactus can show brown spots on the outside. They might also look mushy if they have too much water.

On some cactus like saguaro and barrel. You might notice that the seam that connects the ribs on your cactus will start to split open when they are given too much water. In time, the scab or split will explode especially in the summer. On the other hand, you can also have some freezing problems on your overwatered cactus in the winter. Be sure to remove any rotting parts to make way for regeneration of a whole plant.

Before repotting the cactus , make sure to let it heal and dry in a dry area for a few days. On the other hand, you must not mist your cactus especially the desert cactus.

They are not used to surface moisture unlike the jungle types. They usually get the moisture that they need from their roots. Eitherway, they can go with or without it, depending on your choice. Some prefer to water their cactus by submerging them completely in water. Most of the time, this method is applicable for cactus that has big and thick roots. This next method of watering is much more simple.

You only need to apply water at the surface of the soil. The amount of water that you use in this method should depend in the area where your cactus is placed, as well as the heat and sunlight. Let the water drip down the drainage holes. No matter what method you choose in watering your cactus. Always remember not to overwater them. Also remember that type of cactus that you have to guide you in watering.