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Columnar Cactus

4.0 out of 5 (4 experiences)

Survivor

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Cereus forbesii

Genus

Cereus

Family

Cactaceae

Order

Caryophyllales

How to care for Columnar Cactus

💦 Water

How often to water your Columnar Cactus

Columnar Cactus needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Columnar Cactus in your home

Columnar Cactus love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Columnar Cactus does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Columnar Cactus in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Columnar Cactus

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Columnar Cactus: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Columnar Cactus after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #ColumnarCactus

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Columnar Cactus is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

How to Grow Columnar Cactus →

Benefits of Growing Columnar Cactus →

Common Columnar Cactus Problems →

Indoor Care Guide for Columnar Cactus →

Outdoor Care Guide for Columnar Cactus →

💦 Water Needs

Columnar Cactus thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Columnar Cactus Water Frequency →

Columnar Cactus Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Columnar Cactus requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Columnar Cactus Light Requirements →

Columnar Cactus Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Columnar Cactus is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

💨 Humidity

Columnar Cactus prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

Columnar Cactus Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Columnar Cactus is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Columnar Cactus →

Best Pots for Columnar Cactus →

When and How to Successfully Repot Columnar Cactus →

What Are Healthy Columnar Cactus Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Columnar Cactus grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Columnar Cactus →

🌎 Native Region

Columnar Cactus is native to South America.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Columnar Cactus can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Columnar Cactus Temperature Tolerance →

Columnar Cactus Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Columnar Cactus →

When to Plant Columnar Cactus →

How to Plant Columnar Cactus →

Where to Plant Columnar Cactus →

Winter Care for Columnar Cactus →

Best Companion Plants for Columnar Cactus →

Is Columnar Cactus a Weed? →

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.

Common Bugs Affecting Columnar Cactus →

What Eats Columnar Cactus? →

😖 Common Issues

Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Columnar Cactus. These plants are very sensitive to wet soil so if you notice your plant becoming squishy or translucent, overwatering is the likely culprit.

Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil. Download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!