---
title: "my thanksgiving cactus has looked like this the past several months.…"
description: "my thanksgiving cactus has looked like this the past several months. limp, soft, like she’s being underwatered but i water her regularly. shes in a NW window,…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/F3jeqbXGmKgUcEQf9vSakM"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Bea"
published: "2025-10-01T18:20:55.656143Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/dq2fVDi5LmLGW-Jp51OU20epajpNXCHLZmAX-3tCnXs/ZO8n8-oST06ZRltv4IlhDA.webp?size=large"
---

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# my thanksgiving cactus has looked like this the past several months.…

_Posted by Bea on 2025-10-01_

my thanksgiving cactus has looked like this the past several months. limp, soft, like she’s being underwatered but i water her regularly. shes in a NW window, gets bright indirect light, in a well-draining soil. she’s surviving not thriving :( what could be wrong??

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/dq2fVDi5LmLGW-Jp51OU20epajpNXCHLZmAX-3tCnXs/ZO8n8-oST06ZRltv4IlhDA.webp?size=large)

## 5 comments

### Aisha commented on 2025-10-01

I’d give her roots a check for rot.  
How do you water?  
I soak mine for 10 to 30 minutes in a bowl of water, depending on how hydrophobic her soil is.

#### Bea replied on 2025-10-01

ok i’ll check the roots. i usually top water thoroughly and let drain

#### Aisha replied on 2025-10-01

I’ve found that isn’t always enough. Many times the soil will be hydrophobic, meaning it repels water and won’t hold it so the roots can drink. Soaking—with the pot in deep enough water that the top of the soil is covered—allows the water to penetrate all of the soil, so the plant can actually get a drink. When all of the soil is fully saturated, you take it out and drain it thoroughly.  
You shouldn’t have to do this too often. In the summer I’ve been watering mine holiday cacti every couple weeks, but it’ll drop now that the weather is getting cooler. Basically you wait until the soil is completely dry/the clades are soft-ish—not rotten or mushy—to water again.

#### Bea replied on 2025-10-01

i’m also seeing some brown spots on a few of the leaves. do you know what the cause could be?

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/dq2fVDi5LmLGW-Jp51OU20epajpNXCHLZmAX-3tCnXs/gQOnckcdTlmMbqcOd9IFjg.webp?size=large)

#### Aisha replied on 2025-10-08

Sorry, i got lost.  
I do not know what the brown spots could be.  
A picture with more direct light would probably help discern that, if you have capacity.

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