An indoor cactus garden is a beautiful, low-maintenance way to bring warm climate gardening indoors for winter. From choosing the right cactus to location and care, here are five basic elements of planting a winter indoor cactus garden:
Indoor Cactus Garden Element 1) Choosing a Cactus
Many gardening centers conveniently carry a variety of cacti. For an indoor cactus garden, Gardening-Advisor.com recommends: prickly pear, rose pincushion, rebutia, and aloe bellatula. While there are many sizes of cacti available, a smaller cactus is preferable. A small cactus is able to be moved easily to areas with more light and they require less space on window sills.
When choosing a cactus you want make sure to avoid cacti that have damaged spines, are bruised, or are growing unevenly in the provided container. [Gardening-Advisor.com]
Indoor Cactus Garden Element 2) Pots and Containers
When planting an indoor cactus garden pay special attention to the type and size of pots and containers. Choose shallow containers as deep pots can hold too much water which can cause cactus root rot.
Clay pots work well with adequate drainage holes in the bottom. While indoor cactus dish gardens are very decorative, individual containers for each cactus allow for better individualized care.
Indoor Cactus Garden Element 3) Location
An indoor cactus garden needs maximum sunlight. Especially in winter, it is important to find the window sill that receives the most sunlight during the day. GardenGuides.com suggests avoiding northern exposure windows that may get too much shade for an indoor cactus garden.
In addition to window location, check the window seam to make sure that there is no draft. Cold air leaks could damage the indoor cactus garden, as could excess moisture coming through cracked window seals.
Indoor Cactus Garden Element 4) Care and Maintenance
An indoor cactus garden requires little upkeep, but it is still important to pay attention to soil composition, watering and periodic maintenance.
For soil: coarse soil is best for a cactus, as it must have enough drainage. Large gardening centers and home improvement stores may carry specific potting soils conveniently pre-mixed for cacti.
An indoor cactus garden will need minimal watering during the autumn, winter and spring seasons. When watering, slowly add tepid water, allowing it to completely soak in to the soil. Stop watering as soon as any drainage is seen under the container. Make sure not to over water, as too moist soil can cause root rot.
An indoor cactus garden will grow slowly, so repotting may be needed only every few years.
Indoor Cactus Garden Element 5) Precautions
An indoor cactus garden can pose a danger to both children and pets. The spines on a cactus can puncture skin on both humans and animals. The smaller size of the cactus may make them more attractive for cats and dogs to chew on which could cause injury to the mouth from the spines.
Make sure to keep an indoor cactus garden safely out of reach of children and pets. Allow ample space on a window sill to ensure that the cactus will not be knocked over.
Warm Up Winter with an Indoor Cactus Garden
Planting an indoor cactus garden is a beautiful way to bring the warmth of sunny climates outdoors during the winter or any season. From picking the right cactus to paying attention to safety precautions: these five basic elements can help create a low-maintenance cactus garden.
Sources:
Gardening-Advisor.com. “Cactus Gardens.” www.gardening-advisor.com
GardenGuides.com. “How to Grow an Indoor Cactus.” www.gardenguides.com
