Cacti & Succulents

Cacti and succulent gardens are not only very drought tolerant, but can be interesting and attractive all year round. Cacti and succulents have evolved in dry environments and as such have evolved into water storing and saving specialists.

Designing with cacti & succulents

Cacti and succulents have sculptural qualities and have many interesting forms and textures. When mixing cacti and succulents with other plants in garden beds, try to choose plants that will tolerate the same conditions. You are only limited by your imagination in creating interesting combinations of cacti and succulents. Also keep in mind that cacti and succulents grow well in pots allowing you to create interesting combinations with decorative pots and sculptures. Cacti and succulents also fit well with ‘themes’ or styles of garden such as, Santa Fe or Mexican styles, Minimalist and Modern gardens, stylised Arid gardens, Coastal gardens, Tuscan or Mediterranean gardens, and many more.

Growing cacti & succulents

In pots

Cacti and succulents are ideal for pot culture, as they are mostly slow growing and require less water than other plants in pots. Just about any size or shape of pot may be used as long as it has drainage holes. For succulents use either an Australian Standards potting mix (not terracotta and tub mixes), or cacti mix, and for cacti it is best to use a cacti mix, or mix sharp sand with potting mix. Do not over pot cacti, this means do not pot small cacti into large pots. You will have to water cacti and succulents regularly over the warmer months, but you can allow the plants to dry out over winter. Cacti and succulents in pots may be fertilised with a slow release fertiliser, once a year.

In the ground

Firstly chose a site that is in a hot dry position. Check that the soil is well drained. Cacti can tolerate quite poor soils as long as the drainage is good. Cacti can be grown more successfully outside if the soil is mounded up to improve drainage. Rocks or screenings can be used as the base, covered with sand and soil. Plant the cacti into this and then mulch with stones, pebbles or gravel. Some succulents are suitable as low growing ground covers and can be grown between cacti. Cacti and succulents planted in the ground will only very occasionally require watering. Fertilising of most cacti is not required, however some succulents will benefit from a slow release fertiliser once a year.

Cacti and succulent gardens are relatively low maintenance. Weeding the beds is the most time consuming job, and is one reason to maintain a thick mulch layer. Apart from weeding, a yearly fertilise and the occasional watering in summer, very little needs to be done except to enjoy the results.

Propagation

Succulents are particularly easy to propagate, and regular propagation of new plants from old ones will allow you to maintain the appearance of the garden. Succulents may be propagated from leaves or from stems. Simply break off a leaf or a stem with some leaves attached (such as a small rosette), and leave the piece on a window sill for two or three days until the cut end has dried (callused). In small pots filled with propagation mix, propagation sand or cacti mix, gently push the stem or the base of the leaf into the mix. You may need to hold the piece in place with some small stones. Keep the mix almost dry and place the pots where they get shade for most of the day. It usually takes from two to three weeks for the pieces to take root. Gradually you can move the pots where they get more sun. When the succulents have put on growth, transfer them to bigger pots or into the ground.

Click here to return to the list of garden factsheets.