Not all types of cacti are suitable for outdoor living. In order for the bizarre desert figures to thrive in the garden and bloom profusely, the focus of the selection is on winter hardiness. We have compiled popular and proven frost hardy species for you here.
Varieties of the hedgehog columnar cactus can also be planted in German gardens
Outdoor cacti need to be hardy
In order to enrich the garden design with striking cacti, a few selected species come into consideration. The following overview presents recommended cacti that demonstrate their stamina all year round outdoors:
- Prickly pear cacti (Opuntia), primarily the disk-shaped Opuntia phaeacantha and the columnar Cylindropuntia imbricata
- Hedgehog pillar cactus (Echinocereus), especially E. baileyi, E. caespitosus, E. coccineus, E. inermis
- Ball cacti (Escobaria), especially E. missouriensis, E. vivipara, E. orcuttii, E. sneedii
These cacti withstand severe frost down to - 25 degrees Celsius. A sunny location with sandy-loamy or sandy-gravelly soil is an important prerequisite for undamaged hibernation. Stop the water supply in September/October and don't give any more fertilizer. The plants then reduce their water reserves and increase the salt content in the cell water to protect themselves from frost.
These cacti rely on rain protection outside
The following cacti lose their hardiness outdoors when exposed to rain and snow:
- Hybrids of the porcupine cactus Echinocereus inermis and Echinocereus octacanthus and viridiflorus
- Desert cacti of the genus Gymnocalycium, especially the species G. andreae
- All cultivars derived from hardy Opuntia and Escobaria wild species
In order to offer the moisture-sensitive cacti sufficient protection outdoors, a location under a canopy is sufficient. The thorny fellows also feel well protected under a simple superstructure made of wooden posts and a roof made of greenhouse film (€15.90). The small house should be open on two sides so that the air can circulate.
tips
Don't trust grandiose promises of stable winter hardiness when the cacti have been grown in the sheltered climate of a warm greenhouse. Only species bred outdoors can actually stand up to the hardships of a Central European winter. Here, a cactus can develop the necessary frost resistance as a seedling or cutting.