Rotting Cactus: Mushy Center = Too Late, But Salvage Healthy Parts

Your 3-year-old cactus collection has mushy, yellowish-leaking centers. Mushy center = dead. No recovery. Cause: overwatering or fungal infection.

Root Cause

• No drainage hole? → Guaranteed overwatering (water pools at bottom)
• Drainage hole but tray left full? → Same result

Salvage Attempt (If Any Firm Tissue Remains)

1. Cut away ALL mushy parts
2. Repot healthy sections in SMALLER pot with drainage
3. NEVER allow water in tray
4. Little water every 2 weeks
5. Sunniest window possible

Future Prevention

• Drainage hole = non-negotiable
• Empty tray always
• Water every 2 weeks max
• Full sun

Buying Advice

Next cactus pot: verify drainage hole. Same care = long life.

Mushy cactus centers are the "check engine light" that means the engine seized. Save what you can, learn the lesson.