Cacti Turning Brown & Brittle

Corking

• Corking is an essential part of the growth of cacti, especially taller cacti. The base of a cactus becomes brown and brittle so that it may better support the rest of the cactus structure. Corking is similar to what happens in other long-lived plants, in which new growth is initially green, but becomes woody and harder over time in order to maintain the plant's structure. Thus, the older parts of a cactus turning brown is a healthy and necessary part of its life cycle.

Brown Sections Elsewhere on Plant

• It is not uncommon for natural and healthy corking to occur in unexpected parts of the plant, such as areas other than the base. This occurs because many commercially grown cacti are propagated through cuttings, meaning a new cactus is actually a part of an older cactus that is cut off and propagated separately. These cuttings retain their genetic code from their previous incarnation and thus begin corking early and possibly in strange places.

Premature Corking

• Though turning brown and brittle is natural for cactus, if this corking occurs in a very young cactus, the plant is probably suffering in a less than ideal environment. Corking in random sections of the plant can also be a sign of an unhealthy cactus, but as stated before, is usually a natural part of the plant's life cycle. Overly rich soil, dry air or too much direct light can cause a cactus to brown prematurely, as can under watering the plant.

Prevention

• Cacti, like all plants and organic matter, do have a limited lifespan. It is inevitable that even the most well kept cactus will eventually die, and when it does, it will turn brown. The average lifespan of a cactus varies greatly. Some cacti, such as the saguaro, live for up to 200 years. Most cacti can be expected to live for at least a few decades, 20 years being more or less the shortest expected lifespan of a healthy cactus. If a cactus seems to be dying before its time, or turning hard and brown too early, try changing to a sandier, less nutrient rich soil. Give the cactus less indirect light and just a little bit more water.