I finally looked up why my cactus kept leaning toward the window

Honestly, I read on a university extension site that the Saguaro cactus can actually grow a permanent curve if its light source is fixed for over a year. My little guy in Phoenix has been in the same spot for 18 months, and now I get why it looks like it's trying to walk away. Has anyone else had a plant develop a permanent tilt like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

max8081mo ago

I mean, that extension site might be wrong though. My cactus in Tucson gets light from one side all year and it's still straight as an arrow after three years. Maybe it's just a weak root system or the pot got bumped.

ivan8731mo ago

Huh, that's interesting... but I think your cactus might be an exception. Most of them will really lean hard toward the light over time, it's called etiolation. The ones in the ground can handle it better because their roots are so strong, but a potted plant just doesn't have the same anchor.