In view of the diverse shapes and sizes of more than 1,800 types of cacti and countless varieties, the right pot needs to be chosen with care. A man-high columnar cactus makes different demands on the perfect planter than a dainty spherical cactus. We will be happy to explain which aspects you use to make the right choice.
Flower pots for cacti should definitely have an opening in the bottom
Criteria for the right pot at a glance
Growth form, roots and size of a cactus are decisive for the optimal planter. A gigantic columnar cactus requires a stable, non-tilting bucket. Shallow-rooters want a wide, flat shape, which beet-rooters can't cope with. We have summarized all the important premises for you here:
- Pot diameter for cacti smaller than 100 cm is a third of the growth height
- Pot diameter for larger cacti corresponds to a quarter, at least a sixth of the growth height
- Shallow-rooted species prefer plant bowls
- Turnip roots go in a deep bucket
For spherical cacti, please choose the pot size so that there is a distance of one to two fingers between the edge and the plant body. In this way you also ensure that the water does not constantly spill over when pouring.
No pot without an opening in the bottom
No matter how perfectly the dimensions and shape of a pot correspond to the ideal conditions, you should ignore it if there is no opening in the bottom. Without a water drain, waterlogging is inevitable, which no cactus can survive in the long run.
clay or plastic? - Pros and cons in a nutshell
Choosing between a clay or plastic cactus pot is not just a matter of taste. Furthermore, the nature of the material influences the care. The following overview gives you all the important advantages and disadvantages:
- Advantages of clay: decorative and, thanks to the porous material, with additional air supply for the roots
- Disadvantages of clay: more frequent watering required, possibly occurring evaporation cooling
- Advantages of plastic: less evaporation, even distribution of moisture
- Disadvantages of plastic: no additional aeration of the root ball, less frequent watering
A cactus pot made of black plastic also has the disadvantage that it can heat up extremely when exposed to direct sunlight.
tips
The right decision for a cactus pot is useless if it is filled with normal potting soil. As succulents, cacti want lean, permeable soil that contains a large part of mineral components. A mix of leaf compost, clay, pumice, lime-free quartz sand (€15.85) and perlite (€37.51) respiratory flakes has proven itself in practice.