Waking Up Your Prickly Pals: A Guide to Spring Cactus Care 🌵✨
As the days get longer and temperatures rise, your cactus crew is slowly stretching out of winter dormancy—and just like us after a long nap, they need a gentle wake-up! 🌞
Jumping straight into full care mode can shock your plants, so here’s how to ease them into the growing season gradually and safely.
1. Light: Hello Sunshine, But Take It Slow! ☀️
After months of lower light, your cactus isn’t quite ready for full sunbathing mode. Sudden exposure to strong direct sunlight can cause scorching (ouch!).
What to do:
✅ If they’ve been in a shadier spot, gradually move them towards more light over 2-3 weeks.
✅ Start with bright, indirect light before introducing them to their usual sunny windowsill or outdoor space.
✅ Watch for signs of sun stress—red or brown patches mean they need a little shade adjustment!
2. Water: Less Is More (At First!) 💧
Your cactus has been in rest mode, meaning its roots aren’t used to frequent watering. A sudden soaking could lead to root rot instead of happy hydration!
What to do:
✅ Start with a small drink in early spring—just enough to let them know it’s time to wake up.
✅ Wait 2-3 weeks before giving them a full soak when the soil is completely dry.
✅ As temperatures rise, increase watering gradually, following the classic soak-and-dry method.
Check out the Soak and Dry method
3. Feeding: Breakfast for Your Cactus 🍽️
Spring is growth season, which means your cactus will need a little extra fuel! 🌱 But hold off on feeding too early—he’s still shaking off the winter snooze.
What to do:
✅ Start feeding once a month from March to September using Barry’s Cactus Food (the one in this month’s Barry’s Cactus Club box! 😉).
✅ Use a weak dilution, a little goes along way!!
✅ Skip feeding in winter—cacti don’t need a meal while they’re asleep!
Barry’s Cactus Food is available over at Barry The Cactus
4. Repotting: New Season, New Home? 🏡
If your cactus is root-bound or has been in the same pot for years, spring is the best time to give it a fresh start.
What to do:
✅ If repotting, use a well-draining cactus mix and a pot only slightly larger than the previous one.
✅ Let your cactus settle for a week or two before watering to allow the roots to adjust.
✅ If it’s happy where it is, a top-up of fresh soil can still provide extra nutrients!
Barry’s Cactus Repotting Kit
5. Keep an Eye on Pests! 🕵️♂️
Spring isn’t just a wake-up call for cacti—it’s also mealybug season! Those sneaky little pests love to hide in spines and crevices, so inspect your plants regularly.
What to do:
✅ Check the base and between spines for white, fluffy clusters.
✅ If you spot anything, use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to remove them.
✅ Keep new plants quarantined before adding them to your collection—no unwanted guests allowed!
Pesky Mealy Bugs
Let the Growing Season Begin! 🌵🎉
By slowly waking up your cactus step by step, you’ll set them up for a season of happy, healthy growth—and maybe even some spring blooms! 🌸
Tag us on socials @barryscactusclub —we love seeing your prickly pals thrive!
Spike up your life!
Love, Barry 🌵💚
