Best Cactus Plants for Containers

Which are the best cactus plants for containers? This is a common question among container gardeners and one that have multiple answers. While most of us can easily name our favorite perennials and biennials, we have a much more difficult time actually naming the best cactuses for containers. Containers are not all the same and as such there are many different types of causes that make for great starters for new gardeners. The best cactuses for containers will depend on a few things, including the environment where they will be planted and the moisture level in the soil where they will be planted.

1. Sedum Album

Another popular choice for containers is the Sedum album. It’s roots work well on bare rocks and exposed soil, while its succulents do well on clay and extremely rocky soil. These two varieties are best planted in potting medium that has been made specifically for cactus use. They are very easy to grow and produce an abundance of fruit that is very aromatic. It can take just a year for one of these plants to bear a single fruit. These plants do very well in areas with mild temperatures and a moderate amount of rainfall.

2. Juniper

The Juniper is the best cactuses for containers. These varieties have bark that grows tightly which keeps them protected against the elements. They do extremely well in full sun, so it may require a few hours of shade during the hotter periods of the day. It needs well-drained soil, so do not expect it to do well in an area of heavy clay or sand. The soil also must be slightly acidic, but this is easily remedied by making adjustments to the fertilizer you are using.

3. Special Varieties of Cactus

For container planters that have more than 5 ft spacing between containers, there are some special varieties of cactus that can fit perfectly. Some of them are;

• Bullough cactus
• Red cactus
• Convolvulus pluricaulis
• The Parrot’s foot.

All these varieties can survive well in longer containers. Just be sure not to put them in very narrow spaces.

4. Tall-Stemmed Cactus

There are some special causes that are suited for container planters. These are the tall-stemmed cactus which grows up to three to four feet high. The other types of causes that work well for container gardening are the dwarf cactus and the upright cactus. There are other types of causes that can be used as backfill in your flower bed. The backfill type of cactus can be planted at the base of your bedding plants.

5. Choice of Best Cactus

To be able to get the best effect when growing cactus plants in containers, you should pick the ones that have tight growing conditions. These causes should be kept in temperatures that are neither too high nor too low. The best way to determine the temperature is by placing your plant on the side of a window. It should be in a spot where it is never shaded by trees or other shade.

6. Instructions to Grow Cactus

6.1 Watering the Cactus

Cactuses do require regular watering. So, you should make sure that you place them in a location where it gets enough water. If you want to grow more than just a single cactus, you can divide it into smaller containers. That way, you will always have plants in your garden.

6.2 Use of Slightly Acidic Soil

The soil that is used for planting most cactus plants will need to be slightly acidic. Most of these plants can survive on regular soil with a pH of about 4.5. Some varieties, however, are best suited to acidic soil with low levels of nitrogen and can survive with only half as much as the soil will have to give them. This doesn’t mean that you have to completely change your soil if you are planting one of these plants. Some of them can handle it quite well in a mildly acid soil environment.

7. Conclusion

You can find the best cactus plants for containers in any garden center, or even at a nursery. It all depends on the size of the container you have chosen for your cactus. Before you go out shopping for the best cactus plants for containers, make sure to do your research first. You need to find not only the type of container that suits your taste but also one that is best for your plant.