There is a popularly widespread belief that cacti and succulents hardly need care. But this is not entirely true. It is true that they are not as demanding as other species of plants, but if you overwater them, do not provide them with the necessary light and substrate, and do not protect them from low temperatures, they will end up dying.
Cacti and succulents are plants typical of desert, arid areas with high temperatures. For this reason, they survive more easily in the warm seasons, while in autumn and winter we must follow certain precautions to keep them well cared for.
First of all, it should be noted that not all species of cacti and succulents have the same needs or resist the cold equally. Therefore, it is best to consult the specific characteristics of the species you have at home, in order to personalize their care. But, in general terms, here you will find a guide to caring for your cacti during the fall and winter.
The first thing you should know to take care of your cacti and succulents is to know what their resting season is. That is, when their active growth ends and they begin to vegetate until their next flowering or sprouting. This information is very relevant, since some species rest in summer, others in winter. Whatever the case, during rest we should not water the plant nor transplant or fertilize it.
If your cacti and succulents rest in the summer, autumn is the ideal opportunity to repot them if you think they need a larger pot. Of course, make sure that the change in size is not too drastic to facilitate adaptation. Also, do not transplant them once they have entered the resting phase. After transplanting, renew the substrate making sure to provide the specific species with the necessary nutrients. Remember that the base of the pot should have holes to drain excess water.
Although in summer we should avoid excessive sun exposure, in autumn and winter it is best that they receive direct sun, both indoors and outdoors. Now, you have to protect them from low temperatures and frost. To do this, you can move your cacti inside the house – although away from a direct heat source such as a radiator –, put them in a greenhouse, or protect them with blankets against frost at night.
Regarding watering cacti in autumn and winter, they need much less water than in spring and summer. In fact, if they are outdoors, watering from precipitation and dew will be enough. Avoid waterlogging the cacti or overwatering them, as this will only cause them to rot and suffer from fungus. If they are in a resting phase, they do not need water.
