I believe it's called corking. It's normal.

It does seem to be corking, it happens as plant ages.

Is there a drainage hole in the container? And what kind of soil is it potted in? What amount of light is the plant receiving?

It's in miracle grow for cactus and succulents potting soil and it also gets 2 squirts of the same plant food once every week or so. It's in an East facing window and it doesn't have a drain hole, but I will get one the next time I am at the store.

Not sure about fertilizing - how much are 2 squirts? - could be too much (is that what label says?) and possibly too often. If over fertilizing, it is forcing plant to grow fast but not better/healthier. Many ppl fertilize with 1/2 or even 1/4 of the recommended dose.

I didn't start fertilizing until after the corking happend. It label said 5 squirts for a pot 6" in diameter or more every time you water, or 2 squirts if any smaller. I have no clue how often to water or how much sun to give because I don't know what kind of plant it is.

Fertilizer most likely has nothing to do with corking, I asked about what you posted. Is that fertilizer ready-made solution or concentrate to be dissolved in water? Instructions for 'squirts' sounds strange to me but anything is possible (I am not suggesting that is your idea either).

Questions I asked are about basic needs of succulents: free draining potting mix; container with drainage hole; lots of light; good air circulation. If these are supplied, the plant grows healthy and it is much easier to care for.

Your plant doesn't look sick. Corking is natural. Plant is possibly bit lighter color than what it should be, but it is difficult to say for sure from a photo. If there is not enough light, the color usually gets lighter and plant starts to etiolate - stretch, trying to reach more light. It would grow 'skinnier' or with longer parts, and sparse spaced leaves. It will not die but could be weaker.

Most important is good drainage: succulents should not have 'wet feet' - that could easily happen if the soil is too fine and it stays wet too long at the bottom part of the pot. It is difficult to tell sometimes, especially if potting soil contains too much peat that appears very dry on surface. Watering plant may seem to be appropriate, but it could be still too wet. If this happens and continues for extended period, it could cause rot.

As far as kind of plant it is a cactus..........looks to be a cresed form of some Opuntia species. someone should be able to better identify. Crested just means it has a haphazard growth point making it grow all sorts of shapes rather than the more uniform look of a "normal" cactus. That is something people select for and like to collect because it is interesting and different. There are a lot of different types of Opuntias which normall grow in the "upside down teardrop" shaped pads. I would imagine your plant is getting decent light or the growth would be very elongated and pale. It seems to have nice shape. Do get a pot with drainage and better soil mix as advised by folks here already. Most cactus like more water and fertilizer during the spring and summer months when they are actively growing and much much dryer and no fertilizer in the short, cool, darker days of winter.

The fertilizer is a foam in a pump bottle (like a hand soap) the soil I recently reported in was supposely for succulents and cacti, so I'm assuming that is OK as well. Before, it was just in standard potting soil. Thank you all for the help! I'm glad it's not dying!

And as far as type of cactus it has grown quite a bit over the last few years. It was about 3 in when I got it. It's also not pokey at all and has never flowered, not sure if that will help identify it. My husband wants to know how big it will get lol.

I hate to tell you this, Brittany, but the soil sold as being good for cactus and succulents is not. Miracle Gro Cactus, Citrus and Palm soil is one example. It has too much peat in it and it compacts around the roots. It holds water too long and can lead to rot. To make it worse, if it gets too dry it hardens into a clump and water will not penetrate it.

Many of us have made that mistake with soil, so don't feel bad. You can cut that soil by adding at least 50% perlite to it. It will drain faster and give the roots a little wiggle room at the same time. Your mix should look like this -

There are other options for gritty mix (you can search this forum for many examples) but this would be the easiest fix for you since the plant is indoors.

Nice looking plant. Sorry I am no good at IDing some of these.

I will second the fact that commercial c/s mixes that aren't amended are bad news for most growers, and this is especially so for the inexperienced ones. It's just a sales ploy to say it's suitable! As I suggested earlier, you need a better pot and saucer, new c/s mix, perlite and grit, plus better light.

I've never heard of a foam fert. before. I know there are granular and crystalline ferts and controlled release pelleted ones too, but this type has me puzzled.

Gill

...same as Crenda and Gill pointed out...repeating myself, but good drainage - potting mix and the pot - is very important.

Try looking at Opuntia subulata cristata (or crested). I think it looks a lot like your plant! Neat!! Here isone link: http://www.cactus-art.biz/schede/AUSTROCYLINDROPUNTIA/Austrocylindropuntia_subulata/Austrocylindropuntia_subulata_cristata/Austrocylindropuntia_subulata_cristata.htm

I didn't want to say it before for 'fear' of sounding too critical, but I would check the areas circled in red on your plant:

Pls. keep in mind that I see only what photo shows and they (photos) are often misleading. The areas I circled look little too yellowish to me. See if they really are, and if they seem to be softer than any other parts of the plant - just to be on safe side. Yellowing like that may be sign of overwatering. Hope I am just 'seeing things'.

They are just as solid as the other parts and it's mostly bad lighting form my stove light, but I appreciate the concern. I'm here to learn how to better care for my cactus friend :) one of the main reasons I am trying g to ID is so I know what it needs and wants to thrive best!