Raising cactus plants, or cacti, from seed is simple and rewarding. What’s more, many seed companies sell packets of mixed cacti seed, so you’re never quite sure what you’re going to grow.
As for the mixes, there are lots of fun themes to go for, including rare species, fast-growers, best flowers, hardy cacti or mixes of certain genera.
How to grow cactus plants
Grow cacti in free-draining compost, ideally peat-free cactus compost or peat-free multi-purpose compost with added vermiculite, grit or perlite, to aid drainage. Water sparingly from March to September but avoid watering completely for the rest of the year.
In this Golden Rules video, Stan Griffin of Craig House Cacti reveals his three top tips on growing cactus plants with success, including when to water and feed, and when not to. He also gives advice on how to take cuttings from cacti:
More on growing cactus plants:
Follow our steps to growing your own cacti from seed, below.
You Will Need
- Cacti seed
- Small plastic and terracotta pots
- Free-draining compost or cactus compost
- Vermiculite or fine grit
- Sheet of glass
- Fork or spoon
- Tweezers
- Gravel
Step 1
Fill a pot with a moist, gritty, free-draining compost. Gently firm down and level the surface. Scatter your mixed cactus seeds over the surface, taking care not to sow them too thickly.
Step 2
Gently sprinkle a thin layer of vermiculite or fine grit over the seeds, covering the whole surface of the compost. Leave the pot in a greenhouse or on a warm windowsill, covered with a clear plastic bag to preserve soil moisture.
Step 3
Seedlings will develop within a few weeks. Remove the plastic bag and water when the compost becomes dry, but spray the surface with water regularly, to keep it moist.
Step 4
The following spring, your seedlings should be ready to transplant. Use a fork or spoon to gently tease out individual cacti, taking care not to catch the spikes on your skin.
Step 5
Part-fill a small pot with gritty compost and gently ease the cactus seedling into place. Use tweezers to ensure the seedling is not sitting at an angle.
Step 6
Fill around the seedling with compost and water well. Add more compost if necessary and then use the spoon to arrange gravel around the seedling. Keep in a sunny spot such as a windowsill, and pot on as and when you need to.
Be patient! These cacti took a year to reach this size from a summer sowing.
