Growing cacti at home is something every gardener should attempt.
That said, rearing cacti presents its own unique set of challenges and though growing them, at least the desert varieties isn’t altogether difficult, it does require sticking to a pretty simple set of rules. Forest cacti, on the other hand aren’t quite as resilient as their desert counterparts and require slightly more specialized care.
Even seasoned cacti caretakers can agree that the hardest thing about growing them is the constant fear of over watering. Their roots rot easily, too much water can kill them; and in fact, an over watered cactus will at first exhibit signs of what appear to be great health and happiness but are really unmistakable symptoms of rot by plumping up and putting out new growth.
I’ve also included an A-Z guide to caring for your new cactus, and a FAQ that should preemptively answer any questions you might have so you can get right down to the root of the problem (rest assured, there will be no more plant puns from here on out).
Best pots for Cacti 2020
Here is a compiled list of the top 8 best pots for cacti you can buy online:
These little owls are sure to be a hoot, whether they’re on your desk at work or your window at home, these are amongst the cutest cactus pots for sale on Amazon.
We love the pale bamboo stand, and the fact that these come with their own little drainage hole, which helped them make their way onto our list of the best cacti pots for sale, though the stand doesn’t leave any room to hold what comes out of the bottom, so be careful whilst watering. This would make a lovely gift, but beware the messy Styrofoam it arrives packed in which must be taken apart in order to verify that nothing is broken or damaged. Undoubtedly one of the best pots for cacti on Amazon.
It’s often difficult to find a shallow, attractive bowl for potting mini cacti or succulents, and this is one of the better looking ceramic ones out there, which is why it found its way onto our best cactus list!
It’s ideal if you’ve opted for a natural look, as opposed to a more ‘artificial’ one! Your cacti will be right at home in this rustic planter, whether they’re potted indoors on your coffee table for all to admire or sitting pretty on your patio.
This comes with a drainage hole, but no tray or net to collect any dirt or water, so be sure to set them in your sink when it’s time for a watering. It might not suck up as much water as your average terracotta pot after watering, but neither are your average terracotta pots so pretty. Is it any wonder it’s one of the most highly rated cactus pots for sale on Amazon?
This terrarium is perfect for that symmetrical, minimalist look and we love that it’s open faced, making it ideal for cacti for which terrariums ordinarily spell a slow and prolonged death.
That alone was enough to earn it a spot on this best cactus pots list! Cacti and succulents, even mini cacti and succulents, shouldn’t be housed in terrariums because they’re closed environments that get too moist, and because succulents and cacti love bright light, glass terrariums just act as solar ovens. Your cacti + this terrarium are match made in heaven. Its reviews are proof that it’s one of the best pots for cacti on Amazon!
Manufacturer lifetime warranty, 100% money back guarantee!
Extremely durable fiberstone!
Pros
Cons
✅ Lifetime warranty
❌ Not as tall as I'd hoped
✅ Drainage plug
❌ Frequently chipped during shipping
Why pick this?
This mid century modern pot combines form and function in a dream of clean lines and cool colours.
Thanks to the fiberglass construction it has the same glossy finish, durability, and light weight of a modern car bumper or body panel. My ikea pots just can’t compare. And it’s the only pot on my best pots for cactus list that comes with a plug for its drainage whole. Huzzah. So make your own best cacti pots for sale list, or have a look at our selection of the best potting soil for indoor plants. I know I’ll see it there.
Drawbacks:
It did come up a bit short, literally, which was a problem seeing as I wanted a large, tall cacti pot for my large cacti. But I still love it, and it’s still on my best cacti pots list, so make of that what you will.
I’ll be honest, these earned an immediate spot on my best cacti pots for sale list as soon as I read ‘llama’.
Everyone could use a little bit of whimsy in their lives, and this pair of Llama and goat planters is nothing if not whimsical. They’re unglazed, so your cacti get plenty of air and come with little nets for their drainage holes for no mess watering.
These make perfect gifts for the plant person in your life, but they’re so cute, you’ll want a pair yourself. They’re handmade, so no two sets are exactly alike! You’ll be hard pressed to find a better accent piece, just like I was hard pressed not to put these on my best pots for cacti list.
This is an elegant indoor planter, well suited to your smaller, tiny cacti and well suited to its place on my best pots for cacti list.
It’s subdued and calming, with a durable glaze and a beautiful finish and I love shallow bowl-style pots capable of accommodating multiple succulents and cacti at once. It’d be the perfect final touch for any soothing space that just needs a little more TLC.
There’s a water dish for drainage, but it isn’t attached and the saucer and pot are both quite slippery so using some museum wax or other putty to hold it is a good idea. Onto the next pot(s) in my best cacti pots for sale index!
The price is the main selling point of these pretty ceramic planters, and why they made their way onto my best pots for cacti list. They’re starkly white and tres austere, assuming you’re into that.
Drawbacks:
However, you have to be mindful that at $25 dollars for 3, the quality is a little lacking and they’re hollow and not too stable. The drainage plate is attached to the bottom, so it’s one large piece, which makes them great if you prefer a more traditional drainage setup. All in all, they’re somewhere near the end of my list, and there are better options out there when you’re looking for the best pots for cactus.
These are absolutely tiny, perfect for your bookshelf or desk! And perfect for my best pots for cacti list. I love how cute these are, and what a great gift they make. They’re simple and sleek, and are sure to fit right into any space.
Drawbacks:
They’re so lightweight, they’ll shatter at the slightest provocation. And no drainage hole, which is a big drawback but you can hold them over the sink and replace them when you’re done watering.
Where can I find the best pots for cactus, you might wonder? Here I’ve compiled a list of some of the best pots for cacti on Amazon to aid you on your search!
Cacti Care
How to Care for Cacti: 2 Things to Note.
Most cacti (except for jungle varieties) need a truly ridiculous amount of light. That means South-facing windows only and 6-8 hours of light a day. Otherwise, your cactus will succumb to etiolation, a process in flowering plants grown in partial or complete absence of light that can be even harder to recognize than rot, characterized by elongated growth; smaller leaves due to longer internodes and a pale yellow color because they need so much sun.
Second, the soil that nurseries (even cactus-specific) nurseries give you is awful, and will rot your cactus. Gritty soil that is screened and drains really, really fast is necessary: 70% pumice/perlite or more.
As you get used to growing cacti, you can look into growing mediums but beginners should avoid overcomplicating things and stick to the basics.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I move my cactus to a larger pot?
Cacti and succulents prefer to be root bound! Use clay pots for better ventilation, see my list of the best pots for cacti above, and make sure your soil is up to the mark. I use tongs to move my pokey cacti, and fertilize with 20-20-20 every time I water and that works great. Above all, be gentle!
What is the best potting mix for cactus?
It depends a lot on your plants, pots, and growing conditions. Soil is kind of a trial and error thing. You keep tinkering until you find what works for your plants. A great, cheap place to get started is potting soil, perlite, and chicken grit at a 1:1:1 ratio, or maybe a 1.5:1:1 ratio.
You needn’t measure it, just dump it and see what works for you! A standard miracle gro potted mixture works just fine too, and moisture markers exist for a reason, if you’re like me and you worry about over watering.
Can I grow cactus indoors?
Yes! If you’re growing indoors it doesn’t really matter what your climate zone is; it does matter how you keep your house — aside from lots of light, some cacti need cool winter nights to promote flowering; climate does have an affect on the amount of sun you can give your cacti, so in some cases a grow light system is best.
So, get your gardening kits in hand and get the perfect pots for cacti. Get ready to get your hands dirty. And remember, we always got your back. Happy gardening!
Hi, I am an English television presenter, writer and speaker on horticulture. I am best known for presenting the BBC television series Gardeners’ World. Writing about plantation is a huge passion of mine, so here’s a little piece of my mind.
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