Should I dunk my cactus in water?
Joseph Russell
Updated on April 29, 2026
Cactus hold moisture in their leaves and stems. The biggest mistake that could happen is wrongly watering them. As mentioned, overwatering them could cause root rots and eventually kill the plants. Underwatering them will also dry out their roots and eventually not grow.
Should you dunk your cactus?
Most plants, including cacti, grow actively during warmer seasons (called the growing season). They require a deep soak to remain vigorous as they grow. In fall to late winter, most desert cacti are dormant or in a 'resting period'.Should you dunk succulents in water?
While it's an excellent picture (and a good example of water therapy), I definitely wouldn't recommend dunking succulents in water as a temporary storage method. They would be just fine bare-root and out of direct sunlight.Is it better to water cactus from the bottom?
Cactuses need regular watering during summer in order to grow and remain healthy, but if you overwater, or wet the plant too often, your cactus could rot at the base. Use the method employed by expert cactus growers and water from the bottom.How should you water cactus?
In a sunny location, that gives them plenty of heat during the day, you can give them water every week. The only rule is: Make sure the soil is dry between waterings. This will stop the roots and lower edges of the plant from becoming waterlogged or rotting.Watering Cacti 101 - Tips on how you should be watering cacti and succulents!
How long should I let my succulents bottom water?
If you have multiple plants you want to bottom water, you can place multiple grower pots into a dish or tub of water and let them soak for 20-30 minutes before taking them out and putting them back in their pots.Can I Bottom water succulents?
Sometimes, you need to bottom-water your succulent plants because the soil cannot absorb water. Either because it has become hydrophobic or the succulent has become root-bound. Bottom-watering is a very effective way to repair hard, dry, compact, and water-repellent hydrophobic soil.How often should you dunk a succulent?
How often should I water my succulent? You should water your succulents every other week during non-winter months when temperatures are above 40 degrees. During the winter time (when temperatures are below 40 degrees) you should only water your succulent once a month because it is dormant during this time.Can succulents live in water forever?
Once the roots form the succulent can continue living in the water as long as you provide it with a suitable container. Just mind that water roots and soil roots are very different from each other and a succulent that has adapted to living in water will most probably die if transplanted into soil.How do you fatten up a cactus?
Let them dry in a warm shady place with some airflow (i.e. not in a plastic box) for a week or so, then pot them up. I usually sprinkle them with water on occasion to try to keep them from shriveling up too much. They should root and start growing in a few weeks.Why is my cactus floppy?
Few of the main reasons why a cactus is drooping or falling over is weak roots, or being potted in a container that is too large for it. Other reasons might include underwatering, pests, lack of sunlight and more.Do I need to air dry cactus before repotting?
But be always gentle, you don't want to damage your plant. Don't forget that if you have sprayed the roots, you will need to let them dry before potting into a new container. What is this? Make sure to hang your cactus so that the roots dry.Should I dunk succulents?
The best method to water your succulents!Once you've confirmed that the soil is dry and that the plant shows signs of needing a water, the very best watering method is to completely soak your plant. What is this? What this means is waiting until the soil is bone dry before dunking and soaking the plant in water.