From our perspective as cacti, dormancy is not a choice but a critical survival strategy. Our native habitats are often characterized by extreme environmental shifts, particularly a significant drop in temperature and a drastic reduction in water availability during certain seasons. To endure these harsh conditions, we enter a state of suspended animation. This allows us to conserve our precious internal water reserves and energy, halting all non-essential functions. Growth requires immense resources—water, light, and warmth—which become scarce or unreliable. By going dormant, we effectively shut down our metabolic processes to a bare minimum, waiting out the unfavorable period until signals from the environment tell us it is safe to resume growth and flowering.
We do not consult a calendar; our internal biological clocks are set by specific environmental cues. The primary trigger is a consistent decrease in temperature, especially cooler nighttime temperatures. For many of us, this occurs in the fall as seasons change. A significant reduction in daylight hours is another powerful signal, as the sun's energy, our food source, becomes less available. Finally, a prolonged absence of water in the soil confirms that the dry season has begun. These three factors—cooler temps, shorter days, and dry soil—work in concert to instruct our physiology to begin winding down. It is a gradual process, not an instantaneous switch, as we prepare our systems for the long rest.
During this rest period, our appearance may seem unchanged to you, but internally, profound changes are occurring. Our metabolic rate slows to a near standstill. Photosynthesis, the process of converting sunlight into energy, drastically reduces. Cell division and expansion, the engines of growth, cease completely. Our focus turns entirely inward to maintenance and conservation. The water stored within our stems is what sustains our most basic cellular functions. You might notice that our skin (epidermis) may appear slightly duller or feel less firm to the touch, but this is normal as we are operating on our internal reserves. We are not dead; we are in a deep, energy-saving sleep.
Your role during this time is to mimic the natural conditions that prompted our dormancy. The most crucial adjustment is a complete cessation of watering. Our roots are not actively seeking moisture and are highly susceptible to rot in cold, wet soil. A single drink can be fatal, as it may trigger a false start to growth only for the tender new tissue to be damaged by the cool conditions. We require a significant period of coolness, ideally between 35-55°F (2-13°C), to maintain this restful state properly. While we still appreciate bright light, its intensity and duration are naturally lower this time of year, which is perfectly suitable. Please do not fertilize us; we cannot process nutrients while dormant, and the salts can harm our inactive roots.
Our emergence from dormancy is also triggered by the environment. As daylight hours lengthen and temperatures begin to rise consistently in spring, we slowly stir. This is a vulnerable time. The key is a gradual reintroduction to warmth and water. Begin with a thorough, deep watering only once you see definite signs of new growth, typically a bright green hue at the top of the plant or the emergence of new spines. This signals that our roots are active and ready to absorb moisture. A sudden return to summer watering routines can shock our system. Once we are fully awake and growing, you can resume your regular care schedule, and we will reward you with vigorous growth and vibrant flowers.
