Growing Cactus and Succulents from Seed
We have selected our five favourite cactus and succulent varieties that are great to grow from seed at home. Each of our Desert Garden Grow Kits comes with all five seed varieties.
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Succulent
Mixture
Succulents come in an astonishing range of shapes, sizes, colours and textures. They are easy, undemanding, and fun to grow – not least because of their diverse looks. These interesting plants are drought tolerant, looking at their best when displayed on a bright sunny windowsill or group some together for a low maintenance display.
This diverse mix means that you never know quite what you are going to grow, but it is guaranteed to be a great addition to your home.
For a complete desert garden, combine with a selection of cactus varieties.
Giant
Western Cactus
This giant cactus is the big stereotypical variety seed in western movies! A native specimen to Mexico, in ideal conditions will the giant cactus will grow up to 12m tall or more, but this may take over 100 years.
A slow grower, this variety is ideal to start off indoors and transplant in to the garden. For best results plant into a pot which can be moved into a green house or conservatory over the winter months.
Keep the soil dry, watering only when needed and in temperatures above 10°C in winter.
Golden
Barrel Cactus
The Golden Barrel cactus is a well known species of cactus native to central Mexico and is also known as the Golden Ball or amusingly, Mother-in-Law's Cushion. One of the most popular cacti in cultivation.
Growing as a large roughly spherical globe, it may eventually reach over a meter in height and diameter after many years. There may be up to 35 pronounced ribs in mature plants, though they are not evident in young plants, which may have a knobbly appearance.
Small yellow flowers appear in summer around the crown of the plant, but only after twenty years or so. Keep at a minimum temperature of around 10°C.
Miniature
Cactus Mixture
This miniature cactus collection really does have everything! It will add colour, interest, and a little bit of a prickle to any windowsill display.
Ideal for plating in groups for an eye-catching cactus display or plant individually in an ornate white pot and top with white sand for a truly minimalist look.
Low maintenance with a highly visual display, these varieties are best suited to being grown indoors and can be grown all year round.
Clumping
Barrel Cactus
A slow growing barrel cactus that when young has golden spines. Older varieties will loose most of their spines and will produce bright yellow flowers in summer.
In their natural habitat, the barrel cactus with produce offsets to form clumps that can reach 80cm in height and can spread up to 180cm in length. Terrific at adding texture, colour and shape to the landscape, this eye-catching and majestic plant looks spectacular next to blue plants. Best planted close together among large rocks or boulders.
Minimum recommended winter temperature around 10°C.
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