---
title: "Hello cactus friends. Please help. I’ve had this cactus for years but…"
description: "Hello cactus friends. Please help. I’ve had this cactus for years but only recently repotted it. Which may have been a mistake! I used specialist cactus…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w/aUMxr2XXKHHOEzND0Yt2Rw"
community: "The Cactus & Succulent Circle"
author: "Me&Penny"
published: "2025-06-21T11:41:45.433535Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/M0CPi93wMzG1Jb1J_2zLfrzSRX4YTVcluHwRAD4lidc/7tmKTNR3SAiVYGlXCuP6dQ.webp?size=large"
---

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# Hello cactus friends. Please help. I’ve had this cactus for years but…

_Posted by Me\&Penny on 2025-06-21_

Hello cactus friends. Please help. I’ve had this cactus for years but only recently repotted it. Which may have been a mistake! I used specialist cactus potting compost and follow Planta’s care plan but it looks like it’s rotting at the base. Do you think it’s dead?

![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/M0CPi93wMzG1Jb1J_2zLfrzSRX4YTVcluHwRAD4lidc/7tmKTNR3SAiVYGlXCuP6dQ.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/M0CPi93wMzG1Jb1J_2zLfrzSRX4YTVcluHwRAD4lidc/mjC4WK4fQz6bNhYaKlo-rg.webp?size=large)

## 11 comments

### Blooming Dawn commented on 2025-06-21

I think this is normal (but I could be wrong) my plant harry has this same rotting but he has been doing perfectly fine,

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/DCc6OsJa6V1DWVcFOZ6LxoOeiSqT3wnjfFxWhXIlg6Q/eyL__atDQ0GS4wnIzLHuNQ.webp?size=large)

#### Me\&Penny replied on 2025-06-21

Oh yes so it does. Hello Harry. Maybe I’m worrying unnecessarily. Thanks.

### KallianHawke commented on 2025-06-21

Cactuses like to be dry. I use Planta’s care schedule as a suggestion. Often times, Planta’s schedule has me over-watering my succulents and under-watering other plants that like to stay damp. Always check the topsoil. If the top inch of soil is not bone dry (with cactuses and other succulents, specifically) when Planta says to water, snooze the notification and tell Planta it’s still wet.

#### Me\&Penny replied on 2025-06-21

Thank you. Yes I will do that. I think I may have been overwatering a bit.

### Lover of Cacti commented on 2025-06-21

If it gets too bad, you can propagate the top part.

#### Me\&Penny replied on 2025-06-21

Thanks. I did wonder about that. As you can see, the top part is much healthier than the lower half - I think it’s an indication of when I rescued it from a colleague’s desk! I’ll keep an eye on it and see if that looks like a good idea. Thank you.

### Angelala commented on 2025-06-22

I've also found that a lot of my cacti get sort of brown and callous-y at the bottom - so it might be that? If you're worried about mold, repot it in fresh cacti soil at least. I also find my cacti are MUCH happier in terracotta or unfinished ceramic pots. It's much easier to prevent over watering that way since any excess moisture can escape through the porous pot. I also try to make sure that the drainage holes aren't flush against whatever the pot sits on; if the pot has a drainage hole but the hole sits smack on top of a flat surface, it won't drain properly. I avoid using saucers for this reason, or pick a pot that's up on legs or has a rim around the bottom edge. Good luck!!

#### Me\&Penny replied on 2025-06-22

Those are really helpful tips. Thank you.

### Qbert commented on 2025-06-23

I don’t know what’s in the soil, but I think I’d add some perlite and turface to help loosen it up and drain better.

#### Me\&Penny replied on 2025-06-24

Will do. Thanks.

#### Qbert replied on 2025-06-24

You’re welcome ☺️

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