Growing Cacti in an Indoor Garden

Indoor Cactus -Photo: Maxpixel

The homeowner who wants to start a home garden that is light on the maintenance needed may decide to buy cacti.  This is a good plan because they need less water than most plants and are quite hardy.  Although there are still care instructions that need to be followed to increase the life and longevity of a cactus.

Cactus plants are used to the heat and being dry, for this reason putting them in a 

windowsill with full sunlight is optimal.  Depending on the cactus and the amount of heat it is getting you may not have to water it for weeks at a time (once a month is the recommended watering schedule).  Cacti like coarse soil, it is recommended to use a soil that is meant specifically for a cactus instead of a generic mix.  When a fertilizer is needed you should also purchase a fertilizer that is just for cacti.

When watering a cactus, you want to be careful not to over water it.  A good tip to prevent this from happening is to place the cactus pot in a shallow dish full of water.  The plant will soak up all of the water it needs through the drainage hole in a period of 1-2 hours.  Complete this task and don’t worry about it again for another month unless the plant is starting to get a shriveled look.

When handling your cactus, be careful they can hurt.  If the pot is not large enough to hold onto without your hands getting to close to the prickly part of the pant use a folded newspaper and place it around the plant.  This will protect both your hands and the plant when moving it.  If you do get a piece of a cactus in your finger, remove gently with a pair of tweezers or a piece of strong tape.

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Seasonal Cactus Lovers Have Options

Eastern Cactus - Photo: Wikimedia

Who doesn’t love a cactus? They’re green, naturally, repel pets and at least have a fighting chance, don’t need to water every day—a brown thumber’s dream plant. Of course, some cactus varieties can be quite costly as decorating options. Some affordable, low-maintenance options worth considering are the seasonal cactus varieties. There is the Thanksgiving, Easter, and of course Christmas cactus.

The Christmas cactus is an excellent variety for those who want a small plant that blooms once in a while for some added color and excitement. This cactus gets its name from the fact that it blooms for 2-4 weeks, generally starting in December and lasting through the Christmas holiday.

The flowers themselves are roughly 2 or 3 inches in length and tubular in shape. The flowers tend to be very bright and colorful. This is probably because the Christmas cactus originally came from Brazil, a land known for its exotic colors. The leaves, however, lay very flat and have a smooth, hairless surface with a hard texture.

The Thanksgiving cactus also gets its name from the time of year it generally blooms. However, this vibrant plant is also known as the crab cactus. The leaves on the Thanksgiving cactus have edges on them which are toothed and give the appearance of having a pair of fangs at the end of each branch.

The Easter cactus tends to bloom around the first couple weeks of April. This odd-looking plant grows straight or as close to straight as it can get. Easter cactus leaves are jointed and have hairs on them. The leaves also have fanglike points like the Thanksgiving cactus, though not as pronounced.

Of course, you don’t have to settle for one of the holiday cacti. There are hundreds of varieties perfectly suited for your home. Every species comes with its own specific care instructions and needs. It is important to find out from the nursery or wherever you bought your cactus just exactly how to care for the plant. Most are relatively low maintenance but some of the more exotic species have specific and exacting requirements.

Having a cactus that blooms around the holidays can be an excellent conversation piece and a chance for you to show off your “green thumb”. Adding both color and vibrant contrast to any room, a cactus is a low-maintenance plant that will only make you look good. Choose a cactus for every holiday so that there is always something beautiful to look at while eating all that delicious food! And remember, if a blooming cactus around the holidays just isn’t your cup of tea, there are hundreds of other varieties to choose from and each offers its own special features.

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