Hey there!

I have had this sweet cactus for about 4 years. It was about 4 inches tall when I got it. I kept giving it a larger pot but after the first time I did that, it started growing much wider at the top (You can see at about 10 inches of growth) is there anything I can do to help this grow more balanced? I have read the top could be cut and re rooted? That seems scary! It is a really happy cactus but it keeps growing and I'm afraid it won't be able to support itself as it keeps growing?

Also can anyone identify this for me?

Welcome!

It is a Pilosocereus likely a pachycladus.

Well, the cactus is doing what it would normally do - grow to the size and shape it can. In nature these are tall branched plants. Usually with age aside from taller they will also get wider at the base, but I suspect that because in your house it is probably growing on the edge of what conditions are favorable for it to be doing that, it may not or it may take a long time. Giving it a bigger pot gives it more root space, which when the plant is happy and it certainly looks that way will lead to significant new growth.

While really pretty plants and very cute when small, I suspect that the people selling them as indoor plants probably count on these not surviving for very long, given that it is hard to provide these long term with good enough care to keep them happy and growing when keeping them indoors since they are not actually true indoor plants - so kudos to you, you have done a great job! However, it is a plant that is meant to grow big and tall so as a result of keeping it happy it is going to do that. If you were to try and reduce growth (by watering less often, keeping it in the same sized pot) you will eventually drive it from a happy cactus to an unhappy cactus that may not survive.

Yes, you could decapitate it, the base should survive and develop a top 'branch' that would continue growing and you could try and root the top part. These will root from cuttings, but I have only done that here where conditions for this plant in spring/summer/fall are really conducive to rerooting and growth. So it is an option, but I am not sure I'd recommend that.

I think your cactus is a Pilosocereus azureus. Its getting fatter as the top because that's were the better light is. I personally wouldn't try to re-root a cactus unless I was desperate. Its harder than it sounds.

Edited to add: Oops! Took too long to push the finished button.

Thank you both!

That is really helpful.

Just to be clear in response to one comment, the cactus isn't normally on the floor like this, it's usually on a bench that allows the entire plant to get the same light. (we needed to use the bench for puzzle night the other night!!! ) so it's had adequate light for the entire plant i think most of it's life.

But I greatly appreciate all the feedback and I'll just keep doing what I am doing and letting this guy live his best happy life. I live in Colorado so the climate is mostly a happy one for it. And it gets to go outside when it's summer but not scorching hot, which seems to spike it's growth even more.

Perhaps in time it will decide to balance out the top weight by growing a little wider. I appreciate the hesitation on cutting and re rooting. That makes me anxious just thinking about it! But it was the only info I could find online without joining a forum like this.

All the best!