Water Your Cactus…or Not?
I was talking the other day with someone who wanted to buy a cactus. “Do I have to water it?” When I told him yes, he asked why. I mean, the plants in the desert don’t get watered unless it rains…why do I have to water it?
Great question! True, the plants in the desert don’t rely on us to water them. They’ve been well-adapted to our desert climate, and take what rain they get. But what happens in a drought?
Drought-stressed plants not only lack adequate water, they become vulnerable to diseases and pests. And they sometimes die as a result, like this Ocotillo. That’s why, in many Phoenix landscapes, we even supplement our native and desert-adapted xeriscape plants with water.
So when you’re planning your landscape, consider whether you want to take your chances (and a few rain dances) on a “natural” desert landscape…you’ll want to consider neighborhood and zoning restrictions, too. Or whether you want to provide enough water to ensure a healthy desert garden.