How to Care for an Organ Pipe Cactus Indoors

Organ pipe cactus, or Stenocereus thurberi, is the massive, multi-stemmed cactus that resembles organ pipes and grows naturally in Organ Pipe National Monument in Arizona. Native to the desert regions in southwestern United States and parts of Mexico, organ pipe cactus rarely grows in the landscape in areas outside these regions. However, this slow-growing cactus works well as an indoor container-grown houseplant. Caring for indoor organ pipe cactus requires four things -- light, water, food and correct temperature.

Fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Place organ pipe cacti in spots close to south- and west-facing windows that provide plenty of sunlight.
- 2
  Water an organ pipe cactus only during the growing period in summer. Wait until the soil is dry, and then water until moisture drains from the bottom of the pot. Remove the excess water from the drainage tray.
- 3
  Feed the organ pipe cactus once a year in summer with a time-released fertilizer. Or, use a fertilizer, such as 5-10-10, diluted to one-quarter strength once or twice in the summer.
- 4
  Keep the room temperature from 65 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit during spring and summer. The best fall and winter temperature for dormant cacti ranges from 45 to 55 F.

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