How to Plant Small Cactus in Pots

If you want to add some colorful, low-maintenance flair to your home or garden, planting small cacti in pots is a great option. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of planting and caring for small cacti in pots.

Choosing Your Cactus

The first step in planting small cacti in pots is choosing the right plants. Look for cacti that are small enough to fit comfortably in your pot, but large enough to make an impact. Popular options include the star-shaped Astrophytum, the round and spiny Mammillaria, and the fluffy, colorful Gymnocalycium.

It’s also important to consider the lighting conditions in your home or garden. Most cacti thrive in bright, indirect sunlight, so choose a spot that gets plenty of light without exposing your plants to direct sunlight.

Preparing Your Pot

Once you’ve chosen your plants, it’s time to prepare your pot. Start by selecting a container with good drainage. Cacti don’t like wet feet, so it’s important to choose a pot that will allow excess water to escape easily.

Next, prepare your soil. Cacti need a well-draining, nutrient-poor soil that mimics the rocky, sandy environment they would grow in naturally. You can create your own cactus soil mix by combining regular potting soil with coarse sand, pumice, perlite or vermiculite.

Planting Your Cactus

Now that your pot and soil are ready, it’s time to transplant your cactus. Gently remove the cactus from its original pot and shake off any excess soil. Using a pair of gloves or tongs to hold the cactus, carefully place it in the center of your new pot.

Add any remaining soil around the cactus, making sure that the plant is level and not sitting too deep in the pot. Leave a little room at the top of the pot to accommodate watering and watering run-off.

Caring for Your Cactus

Cacti are famously low maintenance, but they do require a few simple care tips to thrive. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind:

Water deeply, but infrequently. Aim to water your cactus every 2-4 weeks during the growing season, but stop watering altogether in the winter.

Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. Cacti don’t like wet feet, so make sure the soil is completely dry before watering.

Provide plenty of light. Most cacti need bright, indirect sunlight, so place your pot in a sunny spot that’s protected from direct sunlight.

Fertilize sparingly. Cacti don’t need much fertilizer, so feed your plant with a cactus-specific fertilizer once a month during the growing season.

Repot every 2-3 years. Cacti will eventually outgrow their pot and need to be transplanted. In general, plan to repot your cactus every 2-3 years or when the roots start to outgrow the pot.

With these tips in mind, you should be well-equipped to plant and care for your small cactus collection. Whether you’re looking to add some color to your home or garden, or you’re just looking for a low-maintenance pet, small cacti in pots are an excellent choice.