Move over cute fleshy succulents, cactus popularity is on the rise. Today I’m sharing tips on repotting cactus indoors, planting cactus in pots, and related info good to know.
I live in Tucson, Arizona where the landscape is dominated by cacti of all sizes. This post and video are about repotting and planting small cacti that you can buy for your home, not the tall cactus outside my office window.
Related: Transplanting My Saguaro Cacti. This is not at all like the repotting and planting I’m talking about here! This is one of many saguaros that grow here in Tucson. They’re the most recognizable of the desert cacti & a symbol of The southwest.
Cacti don’t have an extensive root system. While they’re happy to stay in the same pot for a while, they will need to be moved to a new one at some point. This guide to repotting cacti will give you details including why, when, how, and more.
Cacti and other succulents make easy, low-maintenance houseplants. Their sculptural shapes and minimal care needs add life to any space. But choosing the right pot is key to keeping these desert dwellers happy when growing indoors.
When potting cacti and succulents, aim for containers that are small and provide excellent drainage. Here’s what you need to know about picking pots for your prickly friends:
Opt for Smaller Pots
In their native habitats, cacti and succulents grow in rocky or sandy soil that drains rapidly. Their roots are specially adapted for quick absorption of rain in arid climates.
These same properties work against potted desert plants sitting in wet, dense soil. To avoid soggy mix leading to rot, use the smallest pot possible based on the plant’s size.
For adult cacti, select a container just large enough to hold the root ball. The pot should not be much wider than the plant.
With other succulents, allow a bit more room for growth by sizing up just 1-2 inches larger than the roots. But resist going bigger to prevent soil from staying damp.
Prioritize Drainage
The bottom line when potting desert plants? Exceptional drainage is a must
Start by choosing containers with multiple holes. Unglazed terracotta and plastic pots offer the most ventilation. Or add extra holes to decorative pots with a drill or hammer and nail.
Next, create a drainage layer at the bottom. Cover holes with a thin layer of gravel, crushed rocks, or broken terracotta shards before adding soil. This improves airflow and prevents washout of the mix.
Free-draining potting mixes like cactus/succulent soil or a gritty blend also encourage drainage. They contain plenty of inorganic materials like perlite, pumice, or sand.
Pick the Right Pot Composition
Breathable containers allow airflow to keep roots healthy Here are suitable pot materials for arid-adapted plants
-
Terracotta: The most recommended pot choice, terracotta is porous and pulls moisture away from roots. Unglazed versions offer maximum breathability.
-
Ceramic or stone: Glazed ceramic and stone planters look beautiful but retain more moisture. Be sure to provide ample drainage layers.
-
Plastic: Affordable plastic pots come in all sizes and let air circulate to dry out soil. Opt for sturdy plastic that resists UV damage.
-
Concrete: Concrete pots are durable and add a modern, minimalist look. The material is naturally porous but avoids moisture retention with extensive drainage.
Maintain Small Plants in Their Nursery Pots
When potting baby succulents, cacti, or small cuttings, there’s no need to repot them from their nursery containers right away. The small starter pots are perfectly sized.
Simply place the mini plants in the nursery pots inside a larger, decorative outer container. Leave an inch or so of space between inner and outer pots, and fill it with gravel for airflow.
This technique allows you to display small plants in oversized planters without overwatering. Only repot into larger containers as the inner plants grow bigger.
Match Shapes to Growth Habits
Consider the natural form of your succulent or cactus when choosing pot shapes. Pick low, shallow pans for sprawling ground cover types like echeveria. Columnar cacti towering upwards do best in taller cylindrical pots.
For top-heavy cacti prone to tipping over, plant in wide, heavy containers like stone troughs to lower their center of gravity. Or nestle smaller pots inside bigger ones filled with stabilizing pebbles.
Use Creative Cache Pots
Plain plastic pots provide ideal cactus growing conditions. But they lack visual appeal for indoor display.
The solution? Cache pots! These decorative outer containers allow you to hide functional but visually unexciting pots inside.
Cache pots come in endless styles like glazed ceramics, woven baskets, and rustic wood. They keep your plants happy while adding a stylish touch to your home.
Pick Up Proper Planting Pots
When selecting containers for your succulents and cacti, follow these key guidelines:
-
Smaller is better to prevent wet soil.
-
Prioritize excellent drainage and airflow.
-
Match pot material to growth needs.
-
Accommodate growth shapes and habits.
-
Use cache pots to pair form with function.
By potting your desert plants in the right vessels for their specialized preferences, you’ll help them thrive indoors while enjoying their sculptural beauty.
Choosing Cactus Plant Pots
This is a general rule that will help you if you’re new to gardening with cacti.
Cactus in 2” & 3″ grow pots can get planted in 3” – 5″ pots.
Succulents in 4″ grow pots can get planted into 4” – 6″ pots.
Your cactus should go into a slightly larger pot than the old pot it’s currently growing in.
I don’t like to put small cacti in a large pot. They don’t look right, and because they have more soil, they can hold more water and stay too wet, which can cause root rot. That is why a shallower pot rather than a deeper pot is better.
There are many small pots on the market you can buy. They’re available in an array of materials, shapes, colors, and styles. I particularly love the look of cactus planted in terracotta pots and unglazed ceramics. The right pot is the one you like the best!.
Here in Tucson, there are a lot of good places to buy pots. That’s where I do most of my shopping for plants. I’m a small business so I like to support other small businesses. Many of the pots I bought directly from the maker or at nurseries here. I love how they all look together.
I did buy a pair of 2 patterned terra cotta pots on Amazon and a bowl at Target (no longer available). There is quite a selection of fun, beautiful, rustic, plain, and edgy cactus pots to buy online and you can see some of our favs in the post below.
Are you looking for cactus planter pots? Here are 15 of our favorites to make your search easier. Here are our Favorite Cactus Bowls for a Cactus Arrangement DIY. Pots made of tuff
Should Cactus Pots Have Drainage Holes
If you’re new to taking care of cacti, I suggest you buy pots with at least one drain hole on the bottom. When you water plants in pots that don’t have holes, it can be hard to get the soil mix to dry out.
If you know how to drill, you can make a hole in the bottom of the container if it doesn’t already have one. The battery packs on my drill gave out and I haven’t replaced them yet. I put holes in a few of the pots using a good-sized nail and hammer.
Cacti are in a separate category of succulents. This post on planting succulents in Pots With No Drain Holes applies to cacti also.
Choosing Cactus To Grow Indoors
Most of the time, cacti sold in stores across the country come in 2in, 3in, and 4in grow pots. At these sizes, their root systems are compact and making them easy to plant in smaller pots.
I buy my cactus locally. Every garden center I’ve been to sells them, and you can also buy them from growers who are open to the public. A large and varied selection of these desert plants is available here.
After talking to people in the business, they all agree that most small cacti will do just fine indoors as long as they get the light they need.
Unlike fleshy succulents that grow faster, become stemmy, and crowd others out, this isn’t true of cacti. While I’ve had them indoors, the Haworthias, Jade Plants, Aloe Vera, Pencil Cactus, Living Stones, String Of Pearls, and Sedum Burrito have done the best for me.
I chose the cactus plants for this series based on what I thought looked good in the pots I had already bought. After 4 months, all are doing well in my very bright kitchen.
You can find cute cacti you can buy online in the collage at the end of this post if you don’t know where to get them in your area.
Online stores where you buy cacti: Planet Desert, Mountain Crest, Leaf & Clay, and Altman’s on Amazon.
This guide to Indoor Cactus Care will help you out. This is 1 of my cactus dish gardens growing indoors. I planted it over 4 years ago & it’s not too much bigger now. Cacti grow slowly!.
Best Cacti Care Tips – Cactus Watering, Lighting, Repotting, Soil, Fertilizing – Houseplant Care 101
FAQ
Do cactus grow well in pots?
Do cactus need full sun?
How do you take care of a cactus in a pot?
What do you put at the bottom of a cactus planter?
How do you plant Cactus in a pot?
When it comes to planting cacti, the soil you use is important. Cacti need well-drained soil that’s sandy or gritty. If your pot doesn’t have drainage holes, be sure to add a layer of gravel or sand to the bottom before adding your cactus and potting mix. This will help ensure that excess water can drain away from the roots and prevent root rot.
Can a cactus grow in a pot?
Make sure you aren’t over-potting because it can lead to root rot. If the cactus is top-heavy, make sure you put the smaller pot inside a large pot and fill the space between the two with gravel to improve drainage. This arrangement will provide your cactus with a base that is heavy enough without running the risk of root rot.
How to choose a pot/container for a cactus?
When choosing a pot/container, it is the best idea to take your cactus out and look at its roots. Take a cactus out from its current pot, remove the soil and look at roots and measure them. If your cactus has long roots, it will need a deeper container, and if the roots are short but growing to the sides – a wide container.
How do you grow cacti in a pot?
Most cacti have shallow roots and grow slowly, so choose a shallow container. You don’t need a deep pot or a very large one. Spread a layer of small pebbles or gravel in the bottom of your container. Top it with some potting mix designed for cacti. (Ordinary potting mixes hold too much water for these plants, which store moisture in their stems.)
Do cacti outgrow pots?
Cacti are a type of plant that is often kept as a houseplant or in gardens. They are easy to care for and require little watering, making them ideal for busy people or those who forget to water their plants. However, cacti can outgrow their pots and will need to be repotted every few years.
How do I find the best pots for cactus?
When it comes to finding the best pots for cactus, there are a few things you need to take into account. The first is the material of the pot. Cactus are native to arid regions and desert climates, so they don’t need a lot of water. A porous potting mix is ideal because it will allow excess water to drain away quickly.