Home > Projects >

How to re-pot a cactus

You will need: Cactus, Pot, Cactus compost, Newspaper, Gravel

Cacti are easy houseplants to grow on a sunny windowsill, where other plants might struggle in the heat, and many provide a stunning display when they flower. A cactus only needs repotting when it outgrows its current container and, even then, only needs to move up one pot size.

Best time to do it:

Step 1

A spiny cactus can be vicious to handle, but working in thick gloves may not be an option if you are handling a small plant. In this case, fold a sheet of newspaper into a strip.

Step 2

Wrap the paper around the plant and grip tightly. You should be able to move the plant without touching it. Take the pot off the plant.

Step 3

Transfer the plant to its new pot. Fill around the sides of the roots with cactus compost, rocking the plant gently, using the paper, so you can fill the pot.

Step 4

Water the plant to settle the compost and allow to drain. A layer of fine gravel on top of the compost reflects heat back to the cactus and stops the surface nearest the plant being too wet.

Related FAQs

Ask a gardening question:

Latest Gardening News

How Rising Living Costs Are Impacting Britain's Green Spaces

Stiga's 'We Care That You Care' Campaign Continues!

Top 10 Plants Year round Fragrance

RHS Gardens Announce Summer Events with The Great Garden Adventure & Shaun the Sheep

Gardening Projects for July

---

How to turf a lawn

How to feed your plants

How to Divide Hemerocallis

How to repair a lawn - Patches

Latest Gardening Videos

---

Training Cucumbers

Growing Sweet Potatoes

Five Essential Tips for Growing Lemons

Hedge Cutting with Shrub Advice

Using a sand bed for holiday watering

How to tie gooseberries and redcurrants

All Videos

Explore Gardens from Around the World

Kenrokuen Garden
Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Sydney, Australia

Singapore Botanic Gardens
Singapore

Pamplemousses Botanical Garden
Pamplemousses, Mauritius

Humble Administrator's Garden
Suzhou, China

Powerscourt Gardens
Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, Ireland