Watering 101

Watering is where most people go wrong — and where good growers shine.

In general, less is more. When spring arrives, plants begin to wake up, and a soft approach helps re-engage their roots without shocking them. As the season progresses, you can increase watering gradually, keeping a close eye on your plants. When they look firm, full, and healthy — you’re on the right track.

We don’t want to push them too hard. Too much too soon can cause rot or bloating, but a gentle nudge is sometimes helpful. This is one of the perks of cultivation — we can offer better conditions than nature, but we need to stay respectful of the plant’s rhythm.

Some species are more thirsty than others, and they’ll happily take on more water than you might expect. But across the board, restraint is key — you can always add more water, but you can’t take it back once it’s in.

Danger zones are periods of extreme cold or extreme heat. During those times, avoid watering altogether. If in doubt, wait. Most losses from rot happen because of well-meaning overwatering at the wrong time.

The best growers observe, wait, and learn. Take photos of your plants and refer back over time — it can be difficult to track changes with slow-growing species, but your eye will sharpen with practice. Each plant will teach you what it needs.

A Rough Guide — Not a Rulebook

Everyone wants a watering schedule — and while no single approach suits all environments, here’s a rough framework to help you get started:

Spring: Every 7–10 days is often enough. Start slow and gradually increase as growth resumes.

Summer: Once or even twice a week during peak growth and hot weather, especially for faster-growing species or those in small pots.

Autumn: Scale back to once every 10–14 days. You’ll notice plants naturally begin to slow down.

Winter: Every 2–4 weeks is often enough as growth slows, though many plants won’t need water at all.
Most species enter a period of rest. At Spine City, we often withhold water entirely for 2–3 months with no issues. If you do choose to water in winter, only do so on warm, dry days — and only if the mix is completely dry.

It’s perfectly fine for your cactus to shrink considerably during winter — this is a normal process, and they’ll recover. In fact, they’re safer like this during the cold months, especially in chilly climates.