How to Plant Cacti Cuttings

Cacti are spiny, desert-dwelling plants with tough outer skins. They come in all shapes and sizes, many bearing prickly fruit and brightly colored flowers. The cacti themselves also vary in color, from shades of green to bright orange and hot pink. They are a good plant for dry areas in full sun, or as extremely low-maintenance indoor plants. Cacti can be propagated from seeds, but grow larger faster if propagated from cuttings. This is a simple way to expand your cactus garden while making sure you get exactly the kinds of plants you want.

Established cactus
Knife
Small saw
Newspaper
Cactus potting soil mix
Terracotta pot
Rooting hormone
Water

Instructions

- 1
  Cut a cactus branch at the joint to avoid damaging the mother plant. Use a sharp knife for small plants, or a small saw for larger plants with tough skeletons.
- 2
  Lay the cutting on newspaper in a warm, dry place for six to 14 days until a callus forms over the cut edge. Let the cutting become dry, but not shriveled. This ensures that the cutting will not rot when planted.
- 3
  Fill a terracotta pot with cactus potting soil mix. Make sure the pot has drainage holes; dampen the soil very slightly. Mist the soil surface, if possible. Too much moisture will cause mold on the cutting.
- 4
  Dip the cutting in rooting hormone. Liquid hormone prevents the need to dampen the cutting with water. Bury the bottom 2 inches of the cutting in the soil. Do not water for two weeks, and then water just until the top layer of soil is moistened.

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