Make a Cactus Grow Faster in Minecraft [Just Do This!]

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Have you ever wondered how you can make cactus grow faster in Minecraft? Well, you’re one of many curious gamers. 

In Minecraft, cacti serve multiple purposes, contributing to gameplay in various ways. A group of cacti acts as a natural defense against mobs, inflicting damage upon contact. Plus, they are also a sustainable resource for farming.

How to Make Cactus Grow Faster Minecraft

You can use cacti as decorative elements and a compact fuel source for furnaces. So, do you want to enjoy its benefits? We’ve got your back! This article will guide you on growing your cactus faster in Minecraft. We’ll also provide other details on finding them.

How Long Does It Take for Cactus to Grow in Minecraft?

The time it takes a cactus to grow in Minecraft depends on random ticks. It can grow in just one minute or even two to four minutes. Random ticks happen approximately 20 times per second, but not every tick leads to the growth of plants. 

Multiple factors influence the rate at which plants grow. You can facilitate the growth of a Minecraft cactus by ensuring plenty of space above it for expansion, supplying sufficient light, and removing any obstructions. 

Although predicting the exact moment a cactus will grow is challenging, fostering optimal conditions enhances the likelihood of quicker growth.

Plenty of Minecraft gamers get confused with multiple truth claims on how long it takes for a cactus to grow in Minecraft because they base it on time. Sadly, you can’t get an exact computation for this. 

But this is also what makes the growth of a cactus so special–you’ll never know if you’ll get a full farm in just a few hours!

Where to Find Cactus in Minecraft?

You can find a cactus in Minecraft in desert and badland biomes. Desert biomes are extensive stretches of sandy landscapes. Badlands or mesa biomes are unique biomes characterized by a diverse landscape, including vibrant terracotta formations, mesas, and canyons.

These are your options to acquire a cactus in Minecraft:

  • Natural Generation.
    Cacti naturally appear in desert and badlands biomes. Explore these biomes, and you’ll find cacti growing on the sandy landscape.

    Cactus Grow Faster Minecraft Natural Generation
  • Harvesting.
    You can obtain cacti by breaking them with any tool. When broken, a cactus drops as an item, and you can collect it for use.
  • Cactus Farming.
    Establishing a cactus farm provides a sustainable source. Plant a cactus on suitable terrain, ensuring at least one block of air above it for growth. Harvest the top block of the cactus as it grows, collect the cactus items, and replant for continuous farming.

How to Make Cactus Grow Faster in Minecraft

These are the methods to make cactus grow faster in Minecraft:

Method 1. Build a Cactus Farm

For a consistent source of cacti, consider establishing a cactus farm. Plant numerous cacti with adequate spacing, enabling you to harvest them as they develop. By replanting the harvested cacti, you can maintain an ongoing cycle of growth.

These are the steps to build the first layer of an efficient cactus farm:

Note: This is just one way of building a cactus farm. You can still customize the steps based on your liking. 

  • Step 1. Form an 11×11 space using blocks.

    Grow Cactus in Minecraft Form Building Block
  • Step 2. Make infinite water & put water into the 11×11 space.

    Make sure to leave the middle block of your 11×11 space empty.

    Cactus in Minecraft Put Water on Four Corners
  • Step 3. Dig three blocks in the middle of your 11×11 space and add a hopper to it.
  • Step 4. Dig an underground tunnel & connect it to the middle.

    Do this by digging blocks outside your 11×11 space. Ensure there’s enough space.

    Grow Cactus in Minecraft - Dig Tunnel
  • Step 5. In that space, add a large chest with a hopper on top, two ladders, and a trapdoor.

    Grow Cactus in Minecraft Large Chest and Hopper
  • Step 6. Leave one empty block from any corner and place sand every two blocks.

    Grow Cactus in Minecraft Place Sand
  • Step 7. Plant the cactus on the blocks of sand.

    Grow Cactus in Minecraft Plant Cactus on Sand Blocks
  • Step 8. Add two more layers of building blocks around the farm.
  • Step 9. Place fences between the first and last two rows of the cacti.

    These fences will break the two rows of cactus.

    Grow Cactus in Minecraft Place Fences

Want to make your cactus farm look more realistic but don’t have enough PC resources? Then use Minecraft shaders for low-end PCs!

Now you have the first layer of the cactus farm!

Here’s a video that comprehensively explains how to make the second layer of your cactus farm:

Method 2. Create an Ample Breathing Room & Remove Obstructions

Create a space for your growing cacti and ensure at least one empty block above them. If there are obstacles, they might hinder the cacti from growing upward smoothly.

Arrange cacti in rows with a one-block gap between each. Opting for a two-block separation between rows could enhance harvesting, reducing the risk of inadvertent pricking. Exercise caution, as inadequate care may lead to some loss due to the accidental destruction of cacti.

Note: Ensure no blocks adjacent to the cactus’s sides or top that could obstruct its growth.

Method 3. Ensure There’s Enough Lighting & Optimize the Environment

While cacti don’t need light to grow, providing enough light nearby helps keep hostile mobs away, preventing potential damage to the cactus.

Make sure you are growing cacti in the best biome for them. These resilient plants flourish in desert and badlands (mesa) biomes by nature. Trying to grow cacti in different environments may result in slower growth.

Pro Tip! Check out these fun commands for Minecraft to add a cool touch on your world.

Why Won’t Your Cactus Grow in Minecraft?

Here are the reasons why your cactus won’t grow in Minecraft:

  • Wrong Biome.
    Cacti thrive exclusively on sand, so your farm must have sand blocks for the cactus spaces. Since sand is widely accessible, use a shovel to gather it from various locations, and carefully plan the size of your farm based on your preferences.
  • Not Enough Space.
    Cacti need unobstructed space above them for growth. If blocks or entities (such as items, mobs, or players) occupy the area above the cactus, they will impede its growth. Ensure there is at least one block of air above the cactus to allow for proper growth.

    Cactus Will Not Grow in Minecraft If No Space
  • You Might Need to Update Minecraft.
      If you’re using a custom mod or a different version of Minecraft, certain rules or changes may affect the growth of cacti.
  • Not Enough Light.
    While cacti do not require light to grow, having enough light nearby can prevent hostile mobs from spawning and damaging the cactus.

Also Read: How Long Does It Take for Minecraft Villagers to Grow Up?

What Breaks Cactus the Fastest in Minecraft?

The fastest way to break a cactus in Minecraft is by using a tool with the Silk Touch enchantment. You can enchant a pickaxe or shears with Silk Touch to break cactus. An enchanted pickaxe can mine cacti directly, while shears can collect cacti without breaking them into items.

The Silk Touch enchantment allows you to collect blocks in their original form instead of breaking them into items. Using a tool with Silk Touch to harvest a cactus will give you the cactus block without breaking it into individual items.

If you don’t have Silk Touch, breaking cacti with any other tool or your hand will result in individual cactus items dropping.

Want to learn more about enchantments? Here’s a list of the best enchantments for a fishing rod.

Can You Get Green Dye Without a Cactus?

No, you can’t get green dye without a cactus. You need to smelt cacti to get this specific dye. You also need a furnace and fuel like coal and wood to smelt your green dye. Without cactus, the closest you can get to green is lime green, which you can get by smelting a sea pickle in a furnace.

Green dye, like other dyes, is used to change the color of certain items. You can use green dye to create green versions of beds, candles, white carpets, terracotta, wool, and banners.

Grow Your Cactus Faster in Minecraft

Growing cactus in Minecraft can be a fun and rewarding experience. Whether you want to use them for defense, farming, decoration, or fuel, cacti are a versatile resource in the game.

While you can’t predict the exact time it takes for a cactus to grow, you can create optimal conditions to enhance the likelihood of faster growth. 

By following the methods discussed in this article, you can learn how to make cactus grow faster in Minecraft and enjoy its benefits. 

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