Green Thumb: It’s easy to create low-maintenance cacti containers

Container cactus gardens allow homeowners in the Southwest to have the pleasure of a small piece of the desert up close without having to dig in the hard desert soil.

They don’t require a lot of space and are low maintenance if planned and executed carefully.

Several key elements are required to create a successful succulent or cacti container.

These include orientation, plant choice, container selection, soil and watering requirements.

However, design is probably the most important element in creating a beautiful container so that you’ll enjoy it every time you look at it.

Our custom-container planting business, Earth Angels, considers each of these elements carefully before creating a succulent/cacti container.

Orientation

Sun and wind conditions are a major consideration when creating a cacti container.

Locations that receive sun all day— including afternoon sun require tough plants.

Almost all succulents prefer protection from afternoon sun. Shade from a tree, patio or Ramada may provide this.

If no shade is available, we look to our native plants to compose a container that will stand up to the elements.

Many more options are available in shadier locations and strong, sturdy plants are needed for windy locations.

Plant Selection

It’s essential to select plants that will thrive in your climate.

Microclimates exist in even small yards. Cold spots such as at the bottom of a slope should be avoided if possible.

Are you willing to use frost cloths in winter and shade cloths during hot months?

Locations close to house walls are warmer in winter. When using multiple plants in one container, they should have compatible needs.

Container Selection

As Earth Angels owners, we prefer to use high-fired pots for cactus plantings.

Many Mexican pots, though inexpensive, deteriorate quickly in our climate.

Containers should be in proportion to the size of the plants—nothing looks sadder than one small cactus in a large container.

Above all, never plant anything in a container without a hole for drainage.

Soil

When planting a cactus garden in a pot desert soil from the yard is not appropriate for use in a container.

Use potting soil formulated specifically for succulents and cacti as it is specially designed to meet the needs of these plants.

Other potting soils are too rich and are often made to hold moisture.

Cacti need good drainage.

Watering Requirements

Cacti are not rocks; they need water.

While they are able to store water and use it when they need it, containers dry out quickly in hot weather.

The use of irrigators is not recommended as it’s easy to overwater or water unevenly.

Cacti need varying amounts of water depending on the time of year and the weather conditions.

As an example, do not water when temperatures are in the freezing range.

Hand-watering on a schedule is best and there are many sources available to determine the best schedule.

Design

Design makes the difference between a so-so container and an eye-popper!

For us, it’s the most exciting part of the container planting business.

Color, texture, height and use of decorative elements all contribute to a beautiful and eye-pleasing container.

Creating easy-to-maintain cacti containers is fun when you start with a well-planned project that keeps all of these elements in mind.

Once started, it’s easy—and fun—to get hooked.

The Green Thumb articles are prepared by members of Green Valley Gardeners with the help of seminar speakers.

Join Green Valley Gardeners at their weekly seminar at the East Center on Thursday, Oct. 23. to learn more about cacti in containers from Francesca Moses and Kathy Stone, partners in “Earth Angles.”

Coffee is on at 9 am, program will begin at 9:30.