Shriveling Cacti

Lack of Water

• The average cactus doesn't need a lot of water to live. However, it certainly still needs some. If a cactus starts to shrivel, the first thing you need to consider is how much water you've been giving it. Every cactus variety has different water requirements, but if the soil around the plant is completely dried out and if the plant starts to shrivel, it is safe to assume that you haven't been watering it enough and that you should adjust your watering schedule.

Too Much Water

• If you notice that the stems of the cactus are shriveling, don't immediately start throwing water on the plant. It is critical that you remember to test the dryness of the soil before you start watering a cactus. This is because a shriveled cactus can also reach that state due to receiving too much water. If the soil is damp around the plant and its color is turning yellow, you must reduce the amount of water that you're giving it instead of increasing it.

Salt

• A buildup of salt in the soil will cause a cactus to shrivel. Salt-affected soils can be corrected by improving drainage, leaching, reducing evaporation, applying a chemical treatment, or a combination of these methods, according to "Managing Soil Salinity," an article published on the website of Texas A&M University System's Texas AgriLife Extension.

Compacted Soil

• Compacted soil causes a number of problems for a cactus. When there is no air space in the soil, water and nutrients have a hard time reaching the plant. The compaction also cuts the roots off from the air they require. Compaction may also prevent proper drainage, which exacerbates other problems, including salinity.