Cacti

About

Cacti earn their place as living sculpture that asks almost nothing in return. This range runs from thimble sized globes to columns that eventually pass 3m, and every one of them is slow growing, drought tolerant and happy in a pot. The choice is mostly about form: a bold upright column, a spined globe for a rockery, or a soft trailing jungle type for a basket. Get the drainage right and the rest is easy. Columns, globes or trailers: how to choose The upright forms carry a whole garden bed on their own. The Cowboy Cactus ( Euphorbia acrurensis ) makes a classic branched column to about 3m, and the Candelabrum Cactus reaches 4m in a frost free spot. Both are technically succulent euphorbias rather than true cacti, which matters for one reason: their milky sap irritates skin and eyes, so plant them with gloves on. Among the true cacti, the Golden Barrel ( Echinocactus grusonii ) is the collector's globe, taking decades to reach 0.6m, while Silver Ball and Thimble Cactus stay under 30cm for pots and rockery pockets. The odd one out is the Coral Cactus , a thornless trailing jungle species that suits a hanging basket indoors. Where cacti grow well in Australia Desert cacti are built for arid, Mediterranean and warm temperate climates: think Perth, Adelaide and everywhere inland. Most here are frost tender or take light frost only, so in cold districts grow them in pots you can shift under cover for winter. On the humid east coast the enemy is wet feet, not heat; a raised rockery, a north facing wall and gritty free draining mix keep them healthy through a Brisbane or Sydney summer. Half the range also grows well indoors on a bright windowsill, and the wider succulents and cacti collection adds softer companions. Potting, position and soil Full sun suits nearly everything here, with the Coral Cactus preferring bright shade. Use a dedicated cactus mix, never garden soil, in a pot only slightly wider than the plant, and unglazed terracotta dries fastest. In the ground, mou