Brain cactus care guide

Pets and children

How often to water Brain cactus

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)

Every 10 days

A summer grower that rests a little in midsummer: as a guide, water well two or three days after the soil dries through, and sparingly in the evening in July and August.

Autumn (Oct–Nov)

Every 14 days

Widen the gap as it cools, watering about a week after the soil dries, as a guide.

Winter (Dec–Feb)

Every month

Keep it nearly dry, moistening lightly about once a month on a warm morning, as a guide.

Light and placement for Brain cactus

To keep the thin wavy ribs crisp, give it good sun and airflow in spring and fall, as a guide; the ribs scorch easily, so in midsummer use roughly 30% shade or morning sun only.

Overwintering Brain cactus

Overwintering guide: 3°C (37°F) or above

Fairly cold-tolerant for a cactus: kept dry it generally takes about 3°C under the eaves or at a sunny window, as a guide, and a cool winter helps spring flowering.

Fertilizing and repotting Brain cactus

Fertilizer

A little slow-release fertilizer at repotting is usually enough; otherwise diluted liquid feed about monthly in spring and early fall, none in midsummer or winter, as excess spoils the tight ribs.

When to repot

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)

Common problems with Brain cactus

• Direct midsummer sun scorches the thin ribs brown.
• Too little light flattens the waves and stretches the body.
• Scale insects hide between the ribs and go unnoticed.

Tips for growing Brain cactus

• Check the grooves between ribs for pests when you water.
• Its fine roots suit a finer-grained but free-draining mix.
• It flowers from the crown in early spring; resume watering when buds show.

More cactus care guides

• Cacti (general)
• CereusCereus
• Chin cactusGymnocalycium
• Christmas cactusSchlumbergera
• Copiapoa cinereaCopiapoa cinerea
• Crown cactusRebutia