How to Grow a Cactus Garden in a Container

Choose your plants. There are thousands of varieties of cactus and succulents that are adaptable to container planting. The type and size of container required to provide habitat to a healthy plant will depend on the type of plant chosen. Plant a tiny cactus in a tea cup or use a rain barrel or wine cask for a large specimen.

Find fun containers. Old trunks, boxes, pots, cookware or dishes can be turned into attractive and interesting homes for large or tiny cacti. Make sure the container provides adequate drainage. Punch or drill a few holes in the bottom, or fill the bottom of the container with 4 to 6 inches of pebbles.

Prepare the soil mixture. Cactus needs sandy, well drained soil. Purchase potting soil mixtures especially prepared for cactus and succulents or prepare your own. Use one part sand, one part potting soil and one part fine gravel or rock chips.

Fill the containers with the potting mixture and plant cactus according to pot or container size. Cactus is very slow growing; therefore, choose plants that look good together now, not as how they will look when mature.

Place in a sunny location and protect from freezing. Cactus flourishes in arid and hot climates.