What You Need To Know Before You Buy A Cactus — Plant Care Tips and More

Shop the Desert Cactus Euphorbia Ammak with Leon and George

Preparing to bring a new Cactus into your life can be a bit confusing. We all have a friend that has a thriving cactus at home, and perhaps one that has seen their Cactus fail. Cacti differ from other plant varieties in many ways, and there are important steps for both selecting and caring for your cactus that will help enormously as you explore Cacti life! The good news? It’s simple to set yourself up for success. Read on to learn everything you need to know about selecting, buying and caring for a new Cactus.

Your Cactus Will Need Bright, Direct Light

This probably sounds a bit obvious, but Cacti require bright, direct sunlight in order to thrive- and lots of it. Because these sun-loving plants are native to extremely bright, dry deserts, they cannot tolerate insufficient light or overwatering. It is common for plant owners to overestimate the amount of light that their space receives, but it is of paramount importance that you assess your lighting environment correctly before buying your new Cactus. Indirect sunlight, or rooms that receive only a few hours of sunlight a day, will not be sufficient for keeping your Cactus healthy. If in doubt, remember their natural environment : they grow in areas that are extremely sunny, experience very little rainfall, and are in rocky soil that is almost bone-dry. That level of bright light and very light moisture is what you are aiming to replicate in your Cactus’ chosen home.

How To Place A Cactus In Your Space

It’s time to identify the sunniest spot in your home! In general, you will want to put an indoor Cactus as close to a window that receives ample, direct sunshine as possible. South facing windows are best, but west facing windows can also do the trick. Reference our easy and informative Light Guide to determine the light that your space receives.

Your Cactus Was Made To Create An Interior Design Impact!

If you’re buying a Cactus for your home, you are likely opting for this gorgeous plant variety because you are looking to make a stunning, organic statement. Place your Cactus in a spot where it can soak up tons of sun- and tons of attention. You would be selling these eye-catching plants short by tucking them into a corner! Be sure to consider safety as well- many Cacti have needles or thorns, and your Cactus should be placed in a location where children and pets will be safe from any pokes, and your Cactus will be safe from any risk of structural damage that might occur from it being jostled or disrupted.

Shop the Extra Large Desert Cactus Euphorbia Ammak Variety with Leon and George — Consider the Euphorbia Ammak

Although varieties like the Easter and Saguaro Cacti are common ornamental varieties, they can have requirements that make them a bit tricky for indoor placement. For instance, the Easter Cactus prefers cool temperatures that can be difficult to sustain. A Euphorbia Ammak, or Desert Cactus, is ideal for sunny indoor spaces. They thrive in indoor environments, have a beautifully tall, tree-like structure, and are exceptionally easy to propagate. At Léon & George, we offer the Euphorbia Ammak because they get our vote of confidence: their health is easy to maintain, they are non-toxic and safe for children and pets, they rarely experience pests and have gorgeous height and sculptural qualities.

It’s Important To Avoid Overwatering Your Cactus

Overwatering a Cactus can be an easy mistake to make, but a difficult one to recover from. Cacti generally require far less water than plant lovers assume, and large Cacti prefer to receive about one to two cups of water a time, every few weeks in the spring or summer, and even less frequently in fall and winter: typically every month.

But Don’t Worry- It’s Easy To Avoid Overwatering!

Your standard for Cactus watering should be to water it only when the soil is dry. Because Cacti store water within their plant structure, they do not need to be watered as soon as the soil of your Cactus dries out- the plant still has water within it to cycle through. But probing the soil with your finger, by sticking it two inches down and monitoring the moisture in that layer, is a simple way to determine whether it’s time to water or not. Don’t worry if your Cactus’ soil is dry for a few days or a week before you get around to watering: it still has water in reserve. Do be sure to avoid watering if this soil is already moist.

Healthy Cacti Can Grow Fast

Now here’s great news: a healthy Cactus can grow at a quick rate. This is something to consider when you are ready to buy your new Cactus, because you will want to select a plant of a size and structure you already find pleasing, but to also account for the fact that it will grow with appropriate light and care. Consider your ceiling height, as well as the fact that Cacti are heavy! Choose a size of Cactus that you will be comfortable with, so that you will not need to go through the process of moving it within your home. Trust us, you will be glad you did.

How To Select A Thriving, Gorgeous Cactus

There are few things to look for as you choose a new Cactus to buy and take home. Look for a Cactus that is in dry to nearly dry soil. If the soil of a Cactus is soaked, you likely don’t want it, because if it has been overwatered before you bring it home, this can result in health problems down the line. Additionally, choose a Cactus with a stature that you like. Leaning Cacti can have a beautiful, natural asymmetry. But if you prefer the linear look, opt for a Cactus that grows straight up and down. Correcting a leaning Cactus by rotating it toward its main ligh source at intervals is doable, but it takes time. If the Cactus that you are considering has spikes or thorns, examine them for healthy coloration. Additionally, ensure that the Cactus’ overall structure is firm, well-colored and does not have large areas of dry or soggy texture or browning.

Avoid Purchasing Your Cactus From A Garden Center

Cacti can be expensive, but as with so many things, you will get what you pay for. Obtaining a new Cactus at the lowest possible price can be appealing, but when it comes to living, growing plants, it is not always the best choice. Garden centers may have great price tags, but they often treat all plants the same, which means that your new Cactus may receive as much water as whichever plant happens to be standing next to it. This is not a recipe for exceptional plant health, and can result in health issues that could easily be avoided.

Another aspect to consider is pests. When many plants are housed together, bugs have a chance to leap. And leap they do, from plant to plant, often leaving havoc in their wake! Buying your Cactus from a trusted, premium supplier will ensure that it has not been exposed to pests, and has been treated prophylactically as well. There is nothing more frustrating than buying a new plant, bringing it home, and noticing that insects hitched a ride on it. This creates an environment in which the pests can travel to all of your plants, necessitating a lot of unnecessary treatment and laborious troubleshooting.

Cacti are delicate, and so are you! You can probably imagine that buying a large, statement Cactus from a retail location and then getting it home is a recipe for trouble. Heavy, spiky Cacti do not belong in our cars. Having your Cactus delivered by hand is the best option for your new plant and for you.

A Note On Toxicity In Cactus Varieties

You’ll be relieved to know that many, but not all, Cactus varieties are non-toxic. Simply put, many Cacti have evolved to deter predators in other ways, as their thorns will attest! However, a handful of very popular Cacti varieties are toxic, and should be avoided if you have curious pets or children in your home: including the Saguaro Cactus, Cholla Cactus, and Barrel Cactus. These plants can be toxic when ingested, and some produce toxic sap. The non-toxic nature of the Euphorbia Ammak is another reason we think it is the gold standard for indoor ornamental Cacti.

Even The Healthiest Cactus Can Experience Stress

Plants are not so different from us after all! Even a healthy Cactus can experience stress. Add to that the fact that user error does occur from time to time despite our best efforts (hello, overwatering), and you can see why buying your Cactus from a supportive supplier is key. Cacti purchased from Léon & George come with lifelong access to our Plant Doctor service: our team of professional horticulture experts, on hand to support you in your journey, assess your plant’s health, and provide tips and adjustments where necessary. And nope, there’s no hitch here: no fees are required. Our Plant Doctor service is just one way that we support plant parents and ensure that every Léon & George plant is set up for success.

We’ve compiled a helpful list of common issues that Cactus plant varieties can face, and have a detailed care guide available. Cacti paradise is right around the corner! Just click here to learn more about your new Desert Cactus and how to keep it in tip-top shape for years to come.