For people who are interested in house plants that require relatively little maintenance and expertise, cactuses are an enjoyable, sensible choice. Though many cactuses grow naturally in areas that are very dry for most of the year and that experience temperature extremes, cactuses are nonetheless well suited for the environment inside a home. Individually or in groups, cactuses make a delightful decoration that adds life and color to your living space.
Selecting Cactus Varieties
Before deciding which cactus varieties you wish to purchase for your home, you should consider the different types of shapes and features that various cactuses offer. Some cactuses can grow to a large size over time, so you should be sure that you know how rapidly a cactus will grow before you bring it into your home. Rapidly growing cactuses, like any house plant that quickly increases in size, may need to be repotted periodically.
This may cause difficulty if you don’t have time to transplant the cactus when necessary or if you have one of the spiny cactus varieties. Because they are challenging to handle even when you are wearing gloves, cactus varieties with sharp spines might be difficult to transfer to a new pot. In addition, an extremely large cactus, while an excellent addition to a sunny room, may be too cumbersome or heavy for one person to transplant single-handedly.
Before buying a large cactus, be sure to find out how often it will need to be repotted and consider whether you will be able to meet this need. In the case of some cactus varieties, the cactus’ growth can be slowed by limiting its exposure to sunlight. If this strategy seems like a good option, be sure to ask the staff at your gardening shop whether that kind of cactus can survive with low light.
It is very important to find out about the specific cactus varieties that you are considering because some cactus varieties will grow slowly in low light while others will deteriorate. In addition, some cactus varieties cannot tolerate direct sunlight and will need to be placed away from bright windows.
Flowering Cactus Varieties
While many people value cactuses for their hardiness, some cactus varieties are more finicky than others. Specifically, flowering cactuses often require careful fertilizing and plenty of light. Should you need advice, books about indoor plants should be able to provide information about how best to care for flowering cactuses.
While flowering cactus varieties can produce spectacular blooms under the right condition, it is important to keep in mind that flowering cactuses don’t bloom year round and might not bloom at all if they do not receive proper nutrition, water and light.
If the care requirements of flowering cactuses do not appeal to you, there are many small cactus varieties that are easy to grow and inexpensive to purchase. You will probably even be able to find self-contained rock gardens at your nearest garden shop, with several small cactuses and succulents in a single container along with some interesting rocks or other decorations.
