Cacti such as rebutia and mammillaria make attractive, low-maintenance house plants and are perfect for a bright, sunny windowsill.

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For the best results, grow cacti in specialist cactus compost or free-draining compost. The best cactus pots are terracotta pots, as they're porous and allow water and air flow around the compost. Plastic pots retain more moisture, so have the potential to cause root rot. If you grow cactus plants in plastic pots, water them less often and ensure the cactus compost doesn't get too wet.

Contrary to what you might think, cacti do need watering in spring and summer. Let the compost dry out slightly between waterings until September, when watering must be reduced to allow for dormancy.

To stop your cacti getting pot-bound, repot every three to four years or when the roots reach the side of the pot. Here's how to do it.

You Will Need

  • Tea towel or sheets of newspaper
  • Slightly larger pot
  • Free-draining compost or cactus compost
  • Fork
  • Horticultural grit
  • Watering can

Step 1

Wrapping a tea towel around the cactus
Wrapping a tea towel around the cactus

Fold a tea towel into a loop, or roll layers of newspaper. Wrap it securely around the body of the cactus to protect your hands against the sharp spines.


Step 2

Adding compost to the new pot
Adding compost to the new pot

Choose a new pot one size bigger than the original and half fill it with specialist cacti compost or a sharply draining mix.


Step 4

Teasing out roots using a fork
Teasing out roots using a fork

Check the roots for signs of pests or disease and gently tease out any roots that have become compressed, with a fork.


Step 5

Lowering the cactus into its new pot
Lowering the cactus into its new pot

Step 6

Fill around the rootball with compost
Fill around the rootball with compost
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Fill in around the root ball with more compost, firming it gently to remove air pockets and then top-dress with grit. Water.


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