Root Systems of a Cactus

Cactus Needs

• Cacti live in some of the harshest growing conditions. They are faced with periods of extreme drought and high temperatures. Cacti require moisture and nutrients just like any plant but their collection of these items poses a challenge due to poor soils and the cracked dry texture of the same that leaches moisture and nutrients in rare periods of rain. Cacti are uniquely adapted to store these essentials and to collect them through a root system that is at once small and shallow yet effective.

Taproots

• A taproot is a characteristic of some root systems that occurs in plants that live in dry soils or that are tall and require a cabling root as an anchor. Many taller cacti grow one or two taproots which may penetrate the earth many yards. The deep roots may find deeper sources of water or nutrients and may shrink when there are periods of drought. These types of cacti will actually be pulled into the soil by the strong taproot and are called "living roots".

Spreading Roots

• The majority of cacti have wide spreading root systems. Some cacti roots may grow up to 15 feet away from the base of the plant. These roots are near the surface of the soil and help the plant collect water quickly if rain showers appear. During a rain shower roots that had shriveled up rehydrate and begin to work and new "rain" roots are rapidly formed to get every ounce of moisture into the plant. The roots shrivel up again during periods of drought and those new "rain" roots will fall off the plant.

Root Characteristics

• Cacti roots are covered in a cork-like layer that prevents water loss. Some cacti have tuberous roots which are thick and fleshy and act as storage organs for food and water. Most cacti have fibrous root systems that spread and are made of conductive tissue. Either type of root has fine root hairs lining the exterior of the plant. Root hairs arise from the tips of the roots and and slough off and are replaced with new ones as the roots grow.