Water
Cacti store moisture in their fleshy foliage to sustain them during dry weather.
During the growing season, water them when the top one to two inches of soil are dry, or about every two to four weeks, depending on when it rains. Use a moisture meter as a guide.
Allow indoor and outdoor pots to dry completely before watering them again.
Fertilizing
If you choose to fertilize, use a mild product with the percentage of nitrogen lower than phosphorus and potassium, like 2-7-7 (NPK), to avoid overstimulating foliar growth resulting in a spindly form.
Apply it in the spring and summer. You don’t need to fertilize during fall and winter dormancy.
I use this product from Schultz which has an NPK ratio of 2-7-7 to support optimal health.
It is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Apply it in the spring and summer per package instructions.
Schultz 2-7-7 Cactus Plus is available from Schultz via Amazon.
Where to Buy
You can often find bunny ears cactus available at nurseries that specialize in cacti and succulents. Alternatively, you can shop online.
Bunny ears is available from Bubbleblooms via Walmart in four-inch pots.
You can also find crested bunny ears plants in four-inch pots from Bubbleblooms via Walmart.
‘Caress’ is a cultivar that came to the United States from Europe, but its origins are unclear.
It has blunted and flattened glochid spines that cause no pain when touched, hence the name ‘Caress’.
Plants sprout bright green paddles that shade grayish-green as they age.
The flowers on outdoor specimens are light yellow, and mature dimensions are 16 to 24 inches high and up to five feet wide.
Maintenance
Cacti need little else besides sunshine, well-draining soil, and water. When pruning is required, it’s best to do it in late spring to early summer, a time of active growth.
Use clean shears to remove damaged or diseased paddles. Slice cleanly through the base where one segment joins another. Avoid getting the “wound” wet – it will soon form a hard callus.
There are additional reasons to prune, including to:
- Reduce overcrowding that puts some paddles in shade, reduces airflow, and invites pests and pathogens.
- Eliminate the rubbing of pads in proximity that causes wounds vulnerable to infestation and infection.
- Balance top-heaviness and reduce the risk of breakage.
- Remove pads that are dragging on the ground and susceptible to disease, pests, and wounding.
Our cactus pruning guide has more information.
If you grow bunny ears in a pot, you’ll need to repot every few years to replenish the soil and provide extra space as the plant matures. You can learn more about repotting cacti here.
Growers in regions that freeze should bring pots indoors for the winter.
Supply bright, indirect sunlight and water before the pot completely dries out. Moisture needs will be reduced during winter dormancy. Learn more about watering cacti here.
Nan Schiller
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