How to Start Your Outdoor Cactus Garden (Full Guide)

Selecting The Cactus Variety

One great thing about having a cactus garden is that you can have more than one cactus variety in it, you can even mix cacti with succulents since they do well together (cactus is a succulent but succulents are not necessarily cacti). Who can say no to more exotic beauty?

If you wish to mix cactus and succulents or plant different plants in your garden, just keep in mind that you should plant those who have similar care requirements (similar amount of light, water, etc) to avoid problems such as overwatering or underwatering, especially if they’re planted closely to one another. 

A Blooming Cactus?

Before starting your cactus garden, ask yourself whether or not you want your cactus to bloom. In fact, there are cacti that bloom faster than others, including Mammillaria, Parodia, and Gymnocalycium. Knowing what types of cacti bloom is essential since it can affect how you position them in your garden and how you want your garden to look!

Location Is KEY!

Now that you have decided which cactus type(s) you want to plant, it’s time to pick the right location for them. Cacti differ in terms of the amount of sunlight and water they need, and choosing the location should be based on the type of cactus you’re growing. 

A cactus, on average, requires 6 hours or more of direct sunlight every day. Most cacti can tolerate a full sunny day, but the rest of them are more sensitive to the sun. They grow under the shade of larger plants or rocks in nature, which offer shade during the day.

During long periods of high heat (above 90°F) and humidity, cactus can get sunburnt. If your potted cactus appears to be getting sunburned (spots appearing or a bleached-out appearance), relocate it to a location where it will get 6 hours of direct sunlight (ideally in the morning to early afternoon) and enough shade for the rest of the day.

Many frost-hardy cacti are found in the Andes and in the highlands of North America. There is a scarcity of shade and nutrient-rich soil in that area. As a result, you should pick a site that is the most natural for cacti.

For outdoor ground planting, you’ll need to pick a location that has enough sunlight. You want a sandy-loamy or sandy-gravelly soil. And make sure the location is protected from the rain! 

Sometimes, you may even need to relocate cacti in the ground. If possible, a decorative screen, tall plant, lattice, or shrub can be installed to protect your plants from the afternoon sun.

Temperature

When planting cactus in the ground, bear in mind that many of them won’t make it through the winter, especially in areas where temperatures are below zero. If you insist, some cacti can be grown in these areas as annuals in the garden or in pots.

Container-grown cacti can be brought inside during the winter and returned outside in the spring.

Soil 

You may need to adjust your soil if you’re planting in the ground and your soil isn’t already a combination of gritty and organic materials. Make a mixture of half to two-thirds dirt and the rest any sort of grainy material that will help with drainage.

Fine grade pumice, pea gravel, and crushed gravel are all acceptable options. Mix that into your soil to a depth between 6 and 8 inches.

Purchasing a potting mix specifically made for cacti and succulents is the easiest way to guarantee that your potted cactus has the right soil type. However, it’s a good idea to make it on your own since it’s usually less expensive and you have control over each ingredient and portion.

If you wish to make your own mix, use a 1:1 ratio of perlite and potting soil. You can also make a mixture of one-third potting soil, one-third perlite, and one-third coarse sand.

You can replace Perlite with crushed pumice or gravel, although perlite is the lightest. It would be easier to move your pots around if you use a light-weight soil. 

The cactus potting soil is built on top of normal potting soil. Coarse sand is ideal for sandboxes since it allows for drainage in the soil mix. Also, perlite or pumice are two more additions that help with drainage and moisture retention. To make your own cactus potting soil, just combine all three ingredients together. 

Note that sand alone is not great as a potting medium — it doesn’t provide any nutrients to your cactus, it’s heavy, and it can get compacted to the point that it obstructs water drainage over time.

Make Adjustments to Your Soil Mix

You may find out that you need to make some adjustments to your soil mix after making the first batch and using it, and that’s OK! With each cactus you grow, you’ll be able to figure out better what ratios work best for that particular cactus. 

The same principle applies when planting your cactus garden in the ground outdoors; the soil must have excellent drainage for your cactus garden to grow healthy and thrive. You don’t need a large amount of potting soil in this case, but sometimes items need to be added to the soil.

Dig holes that are less than a foot deep and fill them with water to see whether you need to alter the soil in the ground. 

After 30 minutes, check if there is still water in the hole. If there’s water, fill the hole with coarse sand and rocks before planting your cactus. If there isn’t any water in the hole, you’re good to go.

You can always add rocks and sand to the hole provided that it won’t negatively affect the drainage. 

Planting

Now after everything’s set, the next step is planting your cacti, but not so fast! Take your time to think about how you would like the layout to look like. Of course, there are no wrong answers here; it all depends on your own personal preference. 

There is, however, one rule that you should follow when planting your cacti: you should avoid planting your cacti where some receive significantly more light than others. They should all have equal access to sunlight. 

You’re totally free to choose the design you want for your cactus garden. But, to give you some ideas, make a shape with your cacti or plant them in clusters for a more natural look. You might even plant in tiers, with some plants being higher than others. Your garden, your rules!

Dig tiny holes in the soil just deep enough for the roots to fit when you’re ready to finally plant your cacti. Before packing down the soil, set all of your cacti in their holes just in case you want to make any changes after you see how everything looks.

Ready to Plant!

Satisfied with the placement of your cacti? Pat down the potting mix, give it a light watering, and that’s it! You’ve successfully planted your own cactus!

If you’re having problems taking the cacti out of the pots they came in, tap the container a few times to loosen the roots. You can also scrape around the edges with a dull knife until you get the cactus to come loose.

When planting a cactus garden, another difficulty you may encounter is the prickliness of your cacti. If you’re concerned with getting poked, wear thick gloves to protect your hands. 

Alternatively, you may use a pair of kitchen tongs for smaller cacti to avoid touching them altogether. Something as simple as a folded magazine or newspaper can be beneficial, too! 

Watering

When watering an in-ground cactus, it’s best to do so at the soil surface. If you’re watering your cacti from above with a watering can or hose, do it early in the day so they have enough time to dry before the colder evening temperatures arrive, helping you avoid nasty root rot. 

During hot, sunny periods, you may need to water containers more often. When it’s rainy or cloudy, use less water. 

To check for moisture, feel the soil. If the top two inches of soil are dry, you know it’s time to water it. 

You can grow cacti in raised beds and big containers in soils that are high in clay or moisture. Just make sure to opt for a cactus-friendly soil mix while filling the bed.

Decoration

We all know what the best part about a cactus garden is. Exactly, it’s the decoration! 

What’s better? You can get as creative as you like in this part. You can be simple and minimalistic or you can go all out. The sky’s the limit!

Colored pebbles, large rocks, small stones, figurines, and a variety of other items can be used to enhance the appearance of your cactus garden. 

For example, you can lay down a layer of red or white pebbles, or go ahead and add more patterns to your garden with a variety of colorful pebbles. You can even add dimension to your garden by using tall figurines or large rocks.

Containers make a big difference in terms of aesthetics. Choose a container that complements the concept of the main theme you want to achieve. 

Terracotta pots, for example, are the way to go if you’re looking for a southwestern motif. More into modern decor? Go for a clear glass terrarium.

If you’re a DIY person, you’ll have fun hand painting and decorating your own containers according to your preferences. 

Cactus Garden Aftercare

Don’t let the joy of your new cactus garden distract you from taking care of it! Light and water are the main factors you should keep an eye on if you want your cacti to stay beautiful and healthy.

Light

You’ll see the leaves and stems of your cacti stretching towards the light if they aren’t receiving enough (cactus etiolation). There may be some discoloration as well. If this is the case, move your cactus plant slowly into a place where it receives the adequate amount of sunlight, you should start seeing the stems or leaves perk up and their colors become more vibrant.

On the other hand, cactus can get more sunlight than they actually need. Your cacti will tell you that by getting sunburnt and losing their vibrant green color, and the skin will be hard and callused, too.

To fix this and save your cacti, relocate your cactus garden out of direct sunlight and into a more shady location. You’re not done yet though, since you have to make sure your cacti are receiving enough sunlight in their new location.

Water

You know too well that cacti don’t need tons of water if you’re a seasoned cactus gardener. One way to check whether your cactus needs water or not is by feeling the soil. If it feels dry, don’t hesitate to water it. But, if the soil is still wet, your cactus is fine for now.

If the skin or leaves of your cactus are puckered, it means it isn’t getting enough water. Your cactus will get mushy and may suffer from root rot if they get too much water.

Bottom Line

Now that you’ve read this whole guide, all you need to do is follow the steps mentioned above, and voila! You’ve got yourself the cactus garden of your dreams! And since cacti are easy to care for and need little maintenance, you shouldn’t have major issues caring for your stunning cactus garden once you’ve planted it.

Finally, don’t freak out if something goes wrong, it’s not the end of the world. While any damage to leaves – caused by too much or too little light, too much or too little water, or both – is irreversible, you can always trim away the damaged leaves or stems.