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A simple cacti garden can bring an easy-care touch of greenery to a home. A wide, shallow container is well suited to a small grouping, and combining cacti in different shapes and colors can add visual interest. This project takes about 20 minutes, though choosing a container with drainage and allowing the soil to dry between waterings are important for keeping the plants healthy.
Gather a wide, shallow vase or planter, rocks, fast-draining cactus or succulent soil, a few small cacti, and a small shovel or scoop. The original container was approximately 10 inches wide and 5 inches high. You can include succulents or aloe alongside the cacti, as long as the plants have similar care needs. If you are handling spiny varieties, use gloves or tongs to protect your hands.
Cacti and many succulents need less frequent watering than typical houseplants. Rather than following a fixed calendar, check that the soil has dried completely before watering. How quickly it dries depends on factors such as the container, light, temperature, and season. Avoid leaving the roots in standing water.
How to Make a Simple Cacti Garden
1. Prepare the container
Add a layer of rocks to the bottom of the container if you like the look or want to create a base for the arrangement. Keep in mind that rocks do not replace drainage holes. A container with holes at the bottom is the best option for letting excess water escape. If your vase has no holes, water very sparingly and take extra care not to saturate the soil.
2. Add the soil
Fill the container with cactus or succulent soil, leaving enough space near the rim to place the plants and add a light decorative top layer. In the original arrangement, the soil came to about an inch below the top and was left loose rather than tightly packed. Use a mix that drains readily, and avoid compressing it around the roots.
3. Arrange and plant the cacti
Set the small plants into the soil with enough room between them to accommodate their shapes as they grow. Position colorful or unusually shaped cacti where they can be seen, and turn the container as you arrange the group so it looks balanced from different angles. Handle each plant carefully, then gently settle the soil around its base.
4. Finish with a light topping
If desired, spread a thin layer of rocks over the soil for decoration. Keep the layer light and leave the plant bases visible. The finished garden is ready to display in a bright spot appropriate for the plants, away from conditions that may scorch them.
Simple Cacti Garden Care
Check the soil before watering, and make sure excess water can drain away. A shallow container may dry out differently from a deeper pot, so observing the soil is more useful than relying on a strict schedule. With a suitable container, careful watering, and a thoughtfully arranged mix of plants, a simple cacti garden can be an easy way to add greenery to a room.
— Elsie
