---
title: "is my old lady healthy? I got it from home depot 2 days ago"
description: "is my old lady healthy? I got it from home depot 2 days ago"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w/yJprQJON1uP20SSPaShee6"
community: "The Cactus & Succulent Circle"
author: "meerrkat"
published: "2025-12-15T16:17:26.373567Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/M60lcZwNlSgC5H-ihIV8CYjvKBhODlVCNCfcHqlAJyQ/vCFKGDnpSCiIrSTbzfRaHQ.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [The Cactus \& Succulent Circle](https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w.md)

# is my old lady healthy? I got it from home depot 2 days ago

_Posted by meerrkat on 2025-12-15_

is my old lady healthy? I got it from home depot 2 days ago

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/M60lcZwNlSgC5H-ihIV8CYjvKBhODlVCNCfcHqlAJyQ/vCFKGDnpSCiIrSTbzfRaHQ.webp?size=large)

## 13 comments

### JuicyCactussy commented on 2025-12-15

It is hard to tell with this picture. Did you inspect the roots? Is the body firm or mushy?

#### meerrkat replied on 2025-12-15

bodys firm and roots looked good. light color to them. I was just curious because someone in a facebook group told me it looked like it was dying

#### JuicyCactussy replied on 2025-12-15

It is most likely helathy then. Leave it to folks on facebook lmao

#### Yuqing Xue replied on 2025-12-15

I agree, it looks very healthy to me.

### Jennrox commented on 2025-12-15

Looks like a very healthy old man cactus 👍

### terracotta pot commented on 2025-12-16

Looks healthy to me too. You might want use a gritty cactus potting mix and an unglazed terracotta pot to avoid overwatering.

#### meerrkat replied on 2025-12-16

thanks. im new to the hobby. bought like 4 within a month lol and used this “cactus mix” sold at a store. funny how it isnt the proper mix considering its labeled for cactus. ive read people using different materials for their potting mix. do i have to buy those individually?

### terracotta pot commented on 2025-12-16

You can get something like Bonsai Jack Gritty mix or Sol Gritty mix, or just add in 50% perlite or pumice to the potting soil you have. Perlite is likely the cheapest option but it is the most messy because it is dusty and rises to the surface when watering.

#### meerrkat replied on 2025-12-16

do you mix the perlite in with the potting soil or just layer it?

### terracotta pot commented on 2025-12-16

Mix it in

#### meerrkat replied on 2025-12-16

thank you so much! i also got a thanksgiving cactus. is it the same mix? or completely different

### terracotta pot commented on 2025-12-16

I’d do the same.

#### meerrkat replied on 2025-12-16

thank you. i appreciate the info :)

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