Cactus Preparation and Care

Cacti are one of the easiest houseplants to care for. They don't require much love and attention, yet they provide year round interest and beauty in spite of it. There are thousands of different cactus varieties available to choose from, yet the care for each is pretty much the same. A weekly watering in the spring and summer can be scaled back to monthly waterings during the fall and winter.

Other than incorrect watering, the number one mistake cacti owners make is planting the cactus in the wrong type of soil. Regular potting soil or dirt is much to rich and heavy for a cactus. A cactus likes dry, airy, porous soil to ensure a happy home. The best type of base you can provide is a combination of peat mix, sand, pumice and vermiculite. This mixture allows water, air and food to flow through easily, but not soak in.

A common cactus many people own is the Pilosocereus Pachycladus. It is blue in color and grows in an upright columnar fashion. It is one of the easiest to grow, and appreciates a nice dry, sunny location with weekly watering during the hottest parts of the year. A layer of pea gravel over the top of the soil will help to hold in moisture and also dress up the cactus garden at the same time.

Another favorite of all succulent fans is the Prickly Pear cactus. It can be found all over the country from sea level elevations, to 15,000 feet. It is able to survive in cold temperatures as long as it has protection from the cold winds of winter. It can tolerate more water than most other varieties, and is also able to survive in richer soils than usual. Not only is the Prickly Pear beautiful, but it also is an edible cactus which tastes wonderful!

Cacti growing is a very easy hobby to fall into. You may start with one cactus as a cute decoration in your home, but you will soon find yourself amazed with all the different varieties available to you, each with their own unique characteristics. It is not rare for a one cactus owner to turn into a multiple cactus hobbiest in a very short amount of time. Cacti growing is very relaxing, interesting and a pleasurable hobby to start. It doesn't require a lot of expense, and can be started almost anywhere!