Root Systems Saguaro cacti have deep roots to support their height. The roots of a barrel cactus are shallow, spreading out from the base of the plant.Click to see full answer. Likewise, how deep are barrel cactus roots?A barrel cactus’ root system is shallow, typically only about 2 inches below the soil surface, and spreads out laterally from the bottom of the barrel. A saguaro cactus has a more extensive and deep root system with lateral branches spreading out from a central tap root to a distance roughly twice the plant’s height.Likewise, how far do cactus roots grow? Roots: Cactus roots help to gather and preserve water in several ways. In some cacti, shallow, extensive root systems spread laterally away from the plant (e.g. some prickly pear roots spread 10 to 15 feet away). Simply so, do cactus plants have deep roots? You might think cacti would grow deep roots to search for a constant supply of groundwater. Instead, they often develop extensive, shallow root systems that sit just under the surface of the Earth and can extend several feet away from the plant, ready to absorb as much water as possible.What is the root system of a cactus?Roots anchor cacti in soil, take up water and nutrients, and often store food and water in addition to the water stored in the plants’ succulent stem tissues. Cacti roots’ morphology varies from deep taproots to a network of finer roots that are near the soil surface and extend quite a distance.