When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
It can be very addicting to grow cacti and other succulent plants. Cacti are fun to collect, and many succulents do well on sunny windowsills. Read on to learn more about growing cactus and succulent plants indoors.
Cacti and succulents are increasingly popular plants for home and garden. Known for being low maintenance, these desert plants thrive when planted together given the right conditions. Here is a complete guide to successfully planting cactus and succulents together in a mixed garden.
Overview of Cacti and Succulents
Cacti and succulents are often grouped together, but they are actually different types of desert plants.
-
Cacti have thick, waxy skin and spines instead of leaves. They store water inside their thick stems.
-
Succulents have fleshy leaves that hold water They come in a huge range of shapes and sizes
Both cacti and succulents are adapted to hot, arid climates. When planting them together, it’s important to provide growing conditions that meet both their needs.
Benefits of Combining Cacti and Succulents
There are many advantages to planting cacti and succulents together:
-
Creates interesting visual textures and shapes.
-
Provides year-round interest with different blooming seasons.
-
Allows you to create miniature desert landscapes.
-
Both require similar dry, sunny conditions.
-
Mixing the two balances their different water needs.
-
Combines spiky cacti with softer succulents.
Tips for Successfully Planting Cacti and Succulents Together
Follow these top tips for growing cacti and succulents together:
Choose the Right Location
Cacti and succulents thrive in hot, sunny, arid environments. When planting together, choose a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Shelter from heavy rains.
Good Drainage is Essential
Exceptional drainage is vital to prevent rotting. Choose containers with holes or amend garden beds with sand/gravel to improve drainage.
Use a Fast-Draining Soil Mix
A porous potting mix is ideal. Mix sand, perlite, and peat in equal parts. Or use cactus potting soil.
Give Enough Space
Don’t overcrowd plants. Allow enough room for growth. Plant cacti and succulents at least 6 inches apart.
Carefully Coordinate Watering
Water thoroughly when soil dries out, then allow pots to drain completely before returning to the dish. Water less in winter.
Fertilize Lightly
Use half strength balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during spring and summer. Don’t fertilize dormant plants in winter.
Step-By-Step Guide to Planting Cacti and Succulents Together
Follow these steps for planting success:
-
Select plants suited to your climate. Choose cacti and succulents native to arid regions similar to your environment.
-
Prepare containers with drainage holes or improve garden drainage. Add 50% sand or gravel to beds to prevent waterlogging.
-
Fill pots and beds with fast-draining cactus/succulent soil mix. Use a blend of sand, perlite and compost.
-
Remove plants from nursery pots and loosen bound roots. Arrange plants attractively in the container leaving 6 inches between.
-
Plant cacti with the top 2/3 of the roots exposed. Plant succulents at soil level. Gently firm soil around plants.
-
Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil. Allow pots to drain fully before returning plants.
-
Place containers and garden beds in full sun. Rotate pots occasionally for even sunlight exposure.
-
Water only after the soil has completely dried out. In winter, reduce watering frequency.
Follow this planting guide, and your mixed cacti and succulent garden will thrive!
Choosing Compatible Cacti and Succulents to Plant Together
When selecting cacti and succulents for a mixed planting, consider:
-
Matched water needs – Group drought-tolerant plants together.
-
Sunlight requirements – Match full sun lovers with those needing partial shade.
-
Cold hardiness – Choose plants suited for your USDA zone.
-
Growth habits – Combine low-growing succulents with upright cacti.
-
Colors and textures – For visual interest, mix spiny cacti with rosette succulents.
Some excellent cacti to combine with succulents include:
- Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii)
- Ball Cactus (Parodia magnifica)
- Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus species)
- Fishhook Cactus (Mammillaria species)
Great succulents for planting with cacti:
- Hens and Chicks (Echeveria species)
- Aloe Vera
- Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
- Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum)
Caring for a Mixed Cacti and Succulent Planting
To keep cacti and succulents growing together, remember:
-
Water only when the soil is completely dry 1-2 inches down. Reduce watering in winter.
-
Ensure containers and beds have excellent drainage to prevent rotting.
-
Fertilize with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer at half strength during spring and summer.
-
Provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Turn containers periodically.
-
Repot when plants become rootbound. Use cactus/succulent soil blend.
-
Protect from frost and freezing. Move pots indoors and mulch beds.
-
Prune damaged, dead or unsightly growth as needed.
-
Watch for pests like mealybugs and scale. Treat with horticultural oil or neem oil.
With the right dry, sunny location and proper care, cacti and succulents will thrive together!
Troubleshooting Issues When Planting Cacti and Succulents Together
Here are some common problems and solutions when planting cacti and succulents together:
-
Rotting from overwatering – Allow soil to dry out between waterings and improve drainage
-
Leggy, stretched growth – Give more sunlight, turn containers to evenly distribute light
-
Failure to bloom – Provide cooler winter temps of 50-60°F to stimulate blooming
-
Pests like mealybug – Treat with horticultural oils or neem oil spray
-
Sunburn – Gradually acclimate to stronger sunlight, provide shade cloth if needed
-
Frost damage – Protect from freezing in winter by moving containers inside or heavily mulching beds
Tips for Growing Success
Follow these tips to get the most enjoyment from your mixed cacti and succulent planting:
-
Start with small, young plants that will adapt well and grow together.
-
Amend garden soil but use bagged cactus mix for containers.
-
Group plants with similar light and water needs together.
-
Limit fertilizing which can cause leggy, weak growth.
-
Move pots into shade during peak summer heat or extreme sun exposure.
-
Propagate cacti and succulents from cuttings to expand your collection.
Enjoy your fantastically low maintenance cacti and succulent combination!
Frequency of Entities
cacti: 28
succulents: 28
plant: 15
soil: 12
water: 11
drainage: 8
container: 7
sunlight: 6
Cacti and Succulents in the Home
You can grow a lot of different succulents in your home. Some of them are even pretty easy to take care of. There are actually great plants for people who are just starting to garden or grow houseplants, but you need to know what you’re doing to do well with them. Cacti and succulents look great in arrangements. Some examples are the pretty Nopalxochia ackermanii and the big flowers of the Epiphyllums (orchid cactus). Other examples are the strange and interesting Astrophytum asterias (sea urchin cactus) and the hairy Cephalocereus senilis (old man cactus). These plants should be grown more often because they don’t need much care and can handle most types of abuse, except for being overfed. Overindulgence is what causes plants to sit around in the dust on people’s windowsills or become mushy and rotten from too much water. They need bright light and fresh air, and they need a cool, dry, winter rest as well. Forest cacti tend to trail and have large flowers. This makes them perfect for individual displays in hanging baskets. The desert types have interesting shapes and textures and can be highlighted in a grouped display. Planting a group of succulents or cacti in one larger bowl is very effective. Larger plants like aloes and agaves look best in a pot of their own. Any large shallow pot can be used as an excellent pot for a cacti or succulent garden. You want to select plants all about the same size with similar care requirements. All of these plants need a lot of light, so make sure the pot you choose can be placed near a window. Putting fine grit on top of the compost gives the cacti in the pot a nice, dry surface. You can place clean pebbles between the plants to increase the desert effect. Some cacti look attractive in little pots all in a row. The mutant cultivars of Gymnocalycium mihanovichii are great in this way because they have different colored heads.
Cacti and Succulent Info
Cacti are associated with the desert, and many thrive in regions of Central and South America. Other cacti, though, come from as far north as Canada, and many are even native to the rainforests. Like bromeliads, many cacti grow on other plants. The cacti that live in forests grow on top of trees in the forests. The desert-dwelling variety of cacti can survive for really long periods of time without rainfall. They get their moisture from dew or mist and store nutrients and moisture in their tissues. The word “succulent” means “juicy. Succulent plants have stems or leaves that are full of juices, water, and nutrients that help the plant grow. These leaves allow the plant to withstand harsh conditions all over the world. The normal look of these leaves is shiny or leathery, and the feel of them helps keep them from losing too much water. Storing moisture the way they do is what defines cacti as succulents. What makes a cactus a cactus is that they grow growths, known as areoles. These are cushioned growing points that are technically compressed branches. Spines, “wool” flowers, and offsets all grow from the areoles. A lot of succulents resemble cacti in every way except they dont grow spines. This is what makes a succulent a succulent and not a cactus. In all but one genus of cactus, the Pereskia, the plants do not have leaves. The bodies of cacti are usually globular or cylindrical in shape. Opuntias have round, segmented stems. Epiphyllums have stems that look more like strap-shaped leaves. A lot of cacti have prominent spines, barbs, or bristles and some have woolly hair. In fact, all cacti have spines even though they might be so small theyre insignificant. Its not always appreciated that all cacti flower, and flower regularly if they are well-looked after.
BEST TIPS | HOW TO PLANT CACTI AND SUCCULENTS TOGETHER | SUCCULENT ARRANGEMENT
FAQ
Can you plant a succulent with a cactus?
Do cacti and succulents need the same soil?
What succulents should you not plant together?
Can you plant cacti and succulents in the same pot?
Still, when you decide to plant cacti and succulents in the same pot, double-check the varieties and make sure that none of them need special conditions. If the succulents or cacti variety requires a particular soil type or more frequent watering, the other plant in the same pot might suffer.
How to plant Cactus and succulents together?
Now, for the secret to how to plant cacti and succulents together! When planting cacti and succulents together, the succulents’ roots should be entirely under the soil. But plant the cactus with just the lower 1/3 of the roots under the soil. Leave the top 2/3 of the cactus’ roots above the soil line.
How do you plant succulents in a cacti planter?
Begin by placing the cacti in the planter and spacing them out evenly. Make sure there is plenty of room for growth between each plant. Once the cacti are in place, start to add the succulents. Place the succulents in between the cacti and fill in any gaps with the soil. Water the plants lightly and make sure any excess water has drained away.
How do you add cacti & succulents to a pot?
Add succulent soil, then it’s time to add the plants. There is no particular order for adding the cacti and succulents to the pot, though there is a technique, which I’ll show you lower down. For the purposes of my design, I started with my largest plant, an Echeveria colorata. Aren’t those red points wonderful?
Do cacti & succulent plants need a lot of water?
Succulents can’t tolerate too long periods of drought, so they should be watered more often than cacti. To ensure both plants can thrive, choose a planting area that drains well and has access to plenty of sunlight. Selecting the right type of soil for both plants is also important.
What is the difference between cacti and succulents?
Although cacti possess some of the features that are synonymous with succulents – collecting a lot of water in stems and roots; leaves with thorny outgrowths and waxy coating to minimize loss of water; and growing in hot and dry conditions – cacti and succulents are scientifically distinct from each other.