If you give your cacti a winter break, this care will be rewarded with magnificent blooms next year. The most beautiful cactus species only develop their buds under the special conditions of winter dormancy. Find out how to do it here.
How do I allow cacti to hibernate?
To enable cacti to have a successful winter rest, place them bright and cool at 5-12°C, reduce the watering in September and fertilize them for the last time. From the end of October to February/March it remains dry, except for small and winter-flowering species.
Preparation phase begins in September
If your cacti have spent the summer on the balcony, the falling temperatures in September will require them to be moved to the windowsill. In preparation for the upcoming winter, the succulents are just making a stopover here. From this point on, gradually reduce the water supply because the goal is a dry winter. Furthermore, the cacti receive some liquid fertilizer for the last time in early/mid-September (€6.00 on Amazon).
Instructions for a successful winter rest – that’s what matters
The hot phase of hibernation begins at the end of October/beginning of November, when it becomes cool and dry for your cacti. This is how you accompany the exotic succulents through the dark season:
- In a sunny, bright location
- Temperatures between 5 and 12 degrees Celsius
- Watering thoroughly for the last time at the end of October
- Don't water large cactus species, such as a mighty columnar cactus, until February
- Water small cactus species, such as opuntias, and leaf cacti little by little
Under these conditions, your cacti will spend the winter until the end of February/beginning of March. The bright, unheated bedroom is ideal as winter quarters. At temperatures around 5 degrees Celsius, the plants are also content with a window seat in the basement.
No rule without exception
An exception to this rule are winter-flowering leaf cacti, such as Rhipsalidopsis or Schlumberga. For these beauties, winter dormancy begins after the flowering period and extends from January to February.
Warm shower brings cacti out of hibernation
In March, cacti take their usual place on the windowsill again. A gentle spray of soft, lukewarm water awakens your spirits. A week later, the starting signal for the normal care program is given by watering the cacti again for the first time and adding some cactus fertilizer to the water.
Tip
Winter-hardy cacti in the bed also undergo preparation so that they can stand up to frost and snow. For this purpose, they are no longer watered or fertilized from October onwards. Beforehand, a potassium fertilizer strengthens the frost hardiness because the nutrient lowers the freezing point in the cell water. It makes sense to have a translucent rain cover to protect against rain, hail and snow.
