Why Is My Cactus Turning Purple?  Expert Tips To Take Care of Your Cacti

Cacti turn purple as a sign of stress generally. When we ask “Why is my cactus turning purple?” we know it is due to stress most likely.

What Is The Purple Color In A Cactus Or Succulent?

Plants produce many different pigments for different purposes. In cacti and succulents, a common sign of stress is the production of anthocyanin, betacyanin, and related pigments.

When asking ourselves why is my cactus turning purple we first need to ascertain what type of cactus we have. There are many cactus types that are actually naturally purple.

Why Is My Cactus Turning Purple?

Naturally Purple Cacti

Some cacti types naturally have a purple color. Good examples are:

This plant, native to the drier regions of the Southern US, is also known as the Purple Prickly pear. 

Opuntia Macrocentra

Many cacti and succulents will turn purple under light stress.

Cacti That Turn Purple Under Light Stress

Many cacti and succulents are adapted to desert environments where the days are quite warm and the nights quite cold. This helps them with their metabolism.

Ideal Temperatures To Avoid Having Your Cactus Turn Purple

Something about that sentence sounds like it could be terribly misinterpreted. 

My Cactus Is Turning Purple Because It Is Very Wet

The majority of cactus plant killers kill them by overwatering. There are however those extra special folks out there who can actually kill a cactus by underwatering it!

My Cactus Is Turning Purple Because It Is Very Dry

When it comes to our question of “Why is my cactus turning purple?”  a very common cause is a phosphate issue. You can use a simple fertilizer preparation such as this which is specially formulated for cacti and succulents.

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Why Is My Cactus Turning Purple?  Expert Tips To Take Care of Your Cacti