Knowledgebase

How can I keep an old cactus alive? #922322

Asked November 23, 2025, 1:03 PM EST

I have a cactus that is around 30 years old.  A number of years ago it started to die, but has very slowly been coming back.  It has been in the same pot for more than a decade.  At this point, would it be a good or bad thing to move it to a new pot?  Also, do you recommend fertilizer, and if so, what kind?

Howard County Maryland

Expert Response

Have you taken the plant out to examine the roots? If so, they should be white and healthy-looking. If they are brown, then the plant is probably dead. It's hard to tell from the photo, but it doesn't look like it has any living growth. 

You should try fresh potting mix and use a succulent or cactus mix, so it has good drainage. Does the container have a drainage hole? 

Don't fertilize it at this point. Adding fertilizer to stressed plants can actually harm them further. If the roots look healthy, then repotting it should be sufficient, and let the soil dry in between watering. Make sure it is in the brightest location next to a window. After you re-pot, if it doesn't get any new growth in about a month, it probably won't rebound. 

Emily

Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied November 25, 2025, 10:57 AM EST

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