Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Better Life

The trendiest plant of 2018

Drumroll please... - by Rebecca Lowrey Boyd
  • 30 May 2018

If you’re after the plant of the moment, look no further than your humble cactus. The succulent has taken the design world by a storm with its sculptural silhouette and low-maintenance appeal.

Shelves of cacti
Getty

So how exactly do you care for a cactus?

Good drainage

Choose the right pot for your cactus. Terracotta pots with drainage holes are ideal for cacti, because they allow the soil to dry out faster. If you have a pot that doesn’t have drainage holes, drill them yourself.

The right potting mix

Don’t plant your cactus in any old potting mix. It needs well-draining soil so water doesn’t accumulate around the plant. You can buy special cactus and succulent potting mix from any garden store. Sprinkle fine gravel around the collar of your cactus to keep it dry.

Cactus in white pot on a windowsill
Unsplash

Sunlight

Find a sunny spot in your home if you want to keep your cactus indoors. If your cactus doesn’t get enough light, it will start to bend towards the light source. Move your plant into a better position.

A little water

Good news for those who tend to forget to water their plants – cacti can be very forgiving. However, your plant does need adequate water supply. Allow the soil to dry out completely before digging your finger into the soil a couple of centimetres and checking for moisture. If it’s dry, give it a good drink. A good rule of thumb is to give you cactus a little water once a week. During the colder months, you can give your cactus less water.

Cactus with large pink flower
Getty

Fertilizer

Feed your cactus in spring and summer with a balanced fertilizer. Choose one with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium diluted to a quarter strength.

Watch out for pests

Common cacti pests include mealybug, scale and spider mites. Deal with mealybug and scale infestation by dabbing them with a cotton tip soaked in rubbing alcohol. Spider mites are harder to see, but you will noticed yellowish, rusty brown spots. They hate water so try misting your plant overhead with water.

RELATED: 12 dreamy ways to decorate with cacti

RELATED: 6 easy ideas using succulents and cacti

  • Garden
  • Better Life
Rebecca Lowrey Boyd
Rebecca is the Digital Managing Editor of Better Homes and Gardens.

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

6 pink indoor plants to brighten up your home

6 pink indoor plants to brighten up your home

Pink succulents are the prettiest new indoor plant trend

Pink succulents are the prettiest new indoor plant trend

How to save a dying plant

How to save a dying plant

9 of best indoor garden ideas

9 of best indoor garden ideas

{headline}

{headline}

This is the magical succulent that will transform your garden

This is the magical succulent that will transform your garden

Four clever indoor plant hacks to save money

Four clever indoor plant hacks to save money

How you're killing your fiddle leaf fig

How you're killing your fiddle leaf fig

{headline}

{headline}

The must-have houseplants you should be buying in 2018

The must-have houseplants you should be buying in 2018

The new trend that's taking over fiddleleaf figs

The new trend that's taking over fiddleleaf figs

8 gardening Father's Day gifts for the dad with a green thumb

8 gardening Father's Day gifts for the dad with a green thumb

10 of the best low light indoor plants

10 of the best low light indoor plants

Melissa makes colourful colander hanging baskets

Melissa makes colourful colander hanging baskets

How to grow and care for maiden hair ferns

How to grow and care for maiden hair ferns

How to grow succulents

How to grow succulents

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription