---
title: "My cactus is struggling suddenly. It has some graying spots along the…"
description: "My cactus is struggling suddenly. It has some graying spots along the shoots and a yellow spot around the base. It’s located in an eastern facing window where…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/O5B8ie01QFDuaqAV7QYgSF"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "tlangella"
published: "2026-05-02T20:11:24.947119Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/r8AktyR_lhydJ8GBZgeIjcbeXPjgFIH2rKVWv9IT8r8/aK06v3kXQXOVMnmI6Q1ZFQ.webp?size=large"
---

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# My cactus is struggling suddenly. It has some graying spots along the…

_Posted by tlangella on 2026-05-02_

My cactus is struggling suddenly. It has some graying spots along the shoots and a yellow spot around the base. It’s located in an eastern facing window where it’s been for the past 3 years. The soil is very dry and the spots don’t feel super mushy or super dry. I can’t tell if it’s from sun burn or root rot 😅 Any ideas?

![Attachment 1 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/r8AktyR_lhydJ8GBZgeIjcbeXPjgFIH2rKVWv9IT8r8/aK06v3kXQXOVMnmI6Q1ZFQ.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/r8AktyR_lhydJ8GBZgeIjcbeXPjgFIH2rKVWv9IT8r8/kI6cZ8BnR5qmocNqIl-dUw.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 3 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/r8AktyR_lhydJ8GBZgeIjcbeXPjgFIH2rKVWv9IT8r8/6tDkxGZcRE2eq0z7dFYPBg.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 4 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/r8AktyR_lhydJ8GBZgeIjcbeXPjgFIH2rKVWv9IT8r8/LkU4Am1jSD6AKfkZgvPt1w.webp?size=large)

## 6 comments

### Hijo del Planto commented on 2026-05-02

I’m certainly not a cactus expert, but seeing new roots at the bottom makes me think it might be trying to stabilize itself. If it doesn’t feel soft, maybe the color change is the base toughening up to support the increasing weight at the top? Just a thought.

#### tlangella replied on 2026-05-02

Thank you! I was so proud of those new roots when I first saw them! I wasn’t sure if the graying was a shock of extra sun with a change in season? I’m definitely not an expert either!

### plantgeek commented on 2026-05-02

corking. because it's so large, the base is hardening to support itself. it's normal

#### tlangella replied on 2026-05-02

Thank you!

#### tlangella replied on 2026-05-02

So even the graying higher up the stem is okay?

#### plantgeek replied on 2026-05-02

yeah. as long as it retains some green it'll be fine

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