Plant misters can be a great and convenient way of keeping plants hydrated. But should I mist my cactus?

The short answer is no! When watering your Barry’s cactus club cacti, it’s important to remember that most species of cactus come from desert areas that are hot and dry. Misting temporarily increases humidity and it is never humid in the dry deserts that your cactus calls home!

4 reasons you why should never mist a cactus:

1) Stem and leaf rot

Did you know that cacti and succulents contain about 90-95% of water in their leaves and stems? Too much water will rot and tear the stem causing the plant to appear mushy and translucent in spots.

November’s Cereus-Forbes-II cactus up close and personal!

2) Pests And Diseases

Misting a cactus can cause a build-up in moisture which allows bacteria to grow really quickly, inviting mould and mildew to thrive and cause fungal infections. Moisture sitting on the cactus stem will lead to blotches and bumps called edema which can make your cactus look very poorly. Regular misting leaves the topsoil moist and allows algae to grow which affects the roots, causing root rot. What's more, damp soil attracts pests such as fungus gnats to lay their eggs! Yuck.

3) Poor Root Growth

Watering cactus through misting will result in poor root growth due to the water not going deep enough into the soil. In the dry desert, when it does rain, a cactus gets a good drench, allowing the roots of the catcus to grow nice and strong. Your cacti will love a similar style of watering. Barry has shared his top tips in his watering blog.

Barry’s fiery Flaming Crown cactus with it’s care card.

4) Dehydration

If you only water a cactus through misting, your cactus will suffer from long term dehydration, misting only provides a very limited water supply. Although cacti can handle weeks without water, they can’t survive without water!

OK, There are some exceptions…

When can I mist a cactus?

There are a few tropical cacti and succulents that can handle a little misting as they are native to tropical climates. These include the Christmas cactus, Rhipsalis and a Fishbone cactus. However you should only ever mist the topsoil, never the leaves as damp leaves can cause fungal infections.

All this cacti talk got you inspired? Why not start your own little cactus family with Barry’s cactus club! The club is perfect for those just starting a plant collection or for seasoned plant lovers. Each month you get a cactus, a unique pot, a care card with an abundance of care tips and cool facts, plus surprise extras!

So what are you waiting for?! Join by visiting Barry’s Cactus Club

Join now