Embarking on your indoor gardening journey with cactus starter kits is a fantastic way to cultivate your green thumb and enhance your living space with these low-maintenance plants. However, with numerous vendors vying for your attention, finding the right kit can be overwhelming. Our comprehensive guide is here to streamline your search. After extensive research, we've concluded that Arizona Sun offers the best cactus starter kit based on quality and reliability, ensuring a successful gardening experience. From complete beginners to seasoned plant enthusiasts, let us help you navigate the world of cactus starter kits and find the right fit for your unique needs.
Our Top Picks For Cactus Starter Kits
The Best Cactus Starter Kits
Best Overall
If you wish to grow your giant saguaro cactus, then this Arizona Sun Cactus Kit is an excellent option. It is for growing the giant saguaro specifically. So, you will get a huge packet of 50-seeds in the kit.
What’s more, this Arizona Sun Cactus kit includes all the tools too. It comes with a terracotta pot, soil mix, and an incubator. Although the instructions are slightly unclear, these seeds are of high quality and promise fast results. So, you will have lots of cactus growing in no time!
Pros
- Fast and reliable results
- Comes with 150 seeds
- Perfect gift or souvenir
Cons
- Instructions are unclear
Great Gift
The GARDEN REPUBLIC Cactus Starter Kit is a great way to bring some greenery into any indoor space. The kit comes with everything you need to create your own unique garden in minutes. Inside the kit you’ll find four packets of non-GMO seeds, four soil disks, pruning shears, four burlap grow bags, four bamboo plant markers, and a wooden gift box that doubles as an indoor planter.
The kit includes two succulent seed packets containing a mixture of seeds, including mesembryanthemum species, argyroderma, lithops, carpobrotus, cheiridopsis, crassula, gibbaeum, lithops, faucaria, fenestraria, and others. You’ll also find two cactus seed packets containing a mixture of seeds from gymnocalycium, mammillarias, notocactus, rebutia, lobivia, blossfeldia, frailea, and melocactus. All of the seeds are non-GMO and heirloom (when available).
Pros
- Comes with everything you need
- Fragrant and beautiful wooden box
- High-quality seeds
Cons
- Requires well-draining soil
Most Versatile
Perfect for beginners-the Nature’s Blossom Cactus kit allows you to understand the art of cactus gardening and grow cute little cacti!
It is a complete set that offers you four packets of mixed seeds. You will have both cactus and succulent seeds to grow a variety in your garden. From pots to soil, this Nature’s Blossom kit also includes all the necessary supplies. There are also plant markers to keep everything organized. The germination rate of these seeds is not high, but there are plentiful seeds to obtain satisfactory outcomes.
Pros
- Great for beginners
- Grow indoors or outdoors
- Easily grow a beautiful mix of plants
Cons
- Low growth rate
Most Long-Lasting
The Deluxe Cactus Grow kit forms the idealistic gift for your cactus-loving friend or family member. It comes in cute, aesthetic packaging that looks great as a gift. Inside, the kit includes six different varieties of cactus and succulents.
These high-quality seeds offer instant results and are easy to grow. However, there are a few seeds per cactus and succulent type. So, you cannot grow a lot of plants with this kit. It also comes with stylish indoor drainage pots, wooden trays, soil mixes, and markers.
Pros
- Heartiest live succulent and cactus plants
- Ideal for beginners
- Durable and easy to use
Cons
- Limited number of seeds
Most Compact
The Bliss Gardens Terrarium kit features everything you need to start your cactus. It comprises hand-mixed terrarium potting soil, orchid bark, activated charcoal, preserved reindeer moss, and river rocks. You can set up the perfect mini garden using this amazing kit.
All the materials are organic and of high quality. There will be no pest or disease development in your plants. Also, the soil mix contains all the necessary nutrients. Hence, you can expect healthy cactus growth. However, the kit doesn’t include the seeds. You will have to purchase them separately.
Pros
- Premium soil mix
- Does not attract pests
- Easy-to-use
Cons
- Doesn’t include seeds
The Best Cactus Starter Kit: A Buyer's Guide
Benefits of Growing Cactus
Whether you should grow cactus or not (or any other succulent plants, for that matter) has always been a top debate between gardening enthusiasts and experts. Some claim these thorny plants are responsible for bringing negative energies to your indoors. Meanwhile, some claim it to have healing powers.
But, here, we will talk about facts and science.
Similar to any other plant, cactus respire through photosynthesis, and its product oxygen is beneficial for humans. During this process, the cactus also absorbs carbon dioxide.
Hence, growing cactus can help increase the ratio of oxygen to carbon dioxide in a room. And, an increased supply of oxygen makes your health better. You are also likely to feel refreshed and energetic.
Placing these green plants around your workspace also has a positive impact on your mind. One feels noticeably calm, focused, and more productive. Overall, growing cactus can be great for one’s health.
Features of the Best Cactus Starter Kit
There is a huge diversity of the best cactus starter kits available in the market. And so, finding the right one can be difficult, especially when you wish to have successful results in a single go.
Below, we have compiled some important features that can make purchasing the idealistic cactus kit easy. Read more!
Types of Cactus
Different cactus growing kits include different types of cactus species. These include:
- Prickly pear
- Saguaro
- Bunny cactus
- Golden barrel cactus
Some even include succulent seeds to help you a variety in your mini garden. If you’re looking for specific types, then examine the contents written on the package.
Quantity and quality of seeds
It is okay for some seeds to sprout and some do not. But, investing so much time in growing cactus only to find not a single one is successful can be heart-wrecking. Hence, always opt for cactus starter kits that promise tested and certified seeds.
These high-quality seeds guarantee growth when provided with the right conditions. In case you’re unsure, choose kits that have plenty of seeds for each variety. So, even if a mistake happens, you will have a few seeds left to experiment with.
Ease of use
It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or an expert in cactus gardening. When purchasing a cactus grow kit, do ensure the inclusion of a guide. Sometimes, the treated seeds require a unique method to grow successful cacti. Having a manual by the company can make things a lot easier.
Accessories
Apart from all this, you should also examine the grow kit contents for other tools and supplies. These accessories can save the hassle of purchasing things separately.
The majority of cactus growing kits come along with soil mixes, pots, and plant markers. However, some only include seeds or soil mixes.
How to Grow a Cactus
Growing cactus kits is quite simple and easy. Usually, each kit includes a detailed manual that you can use to start the cactus. However, in case the kit doesn’t include one, here are the steps to follow.
- Prepare the soil mix. Most cactus growing kits come with expandable soil discs. You have to remove the paper lining, place them in the pot, and add some water. Alternatively, you can purchase a prepared soil mix from the store.
- Transfer the mix into a pot and plant seeds in the middle.
- Add some water to moisten up the soil.
- Cover the pot with a plastic bag if stated in the instructions manual.
- Place plant markers in the pot.
Monitor the plant and water regularly until the seed germinates.
Tips on Taking Care of a Cactus
All plants require some care and maintenance to stay healthy indoors. You can’t leave a plant by the window, with plentiful water and nutritious soil, for days. And expect it to grow into a lush green plant.
Several problems can occur during this period. For cactus, the most common issue is mold and overwatering.
Cactus require considerable amounts of water over a long period. You need to leave a hose with water dripping slowly around the roots. However, people tend to water them all at once.
This particular practice, when coupled with insufficient sunlight, leads to the development of mold. The fungus spreads from the soil to the roots, causing the cactus to die. Hence, you should water the cactus properly and place it in a sunny place. Also, only water when you find the top-most 2 to 3-inches of soil dry.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Growing a Cactus
Now that you’re familiar with some helpful tips on growing a cactus, here are five common mistakes you’ll want to avoid.
People Also Asked
How long does it take to grow your cactus?
Cactus is a slow-growing plant. Typically, a cactus will grow to the size of a marble in 6 to 12 months. And you will have a few centimeter-tall cacti in about 2 to 3 years.
Can you keep the cactus in the bedroom?
Yes, you can place a cactus in the bedroom. However, make sure it is in a safe spot to prevent accidents and injuries. Also, place it near a window for healthy growth.
How often should cacti be watered?
Unlike most plants, cacti need watering only once a week. You should water them until moisture leaks out from the drainage holes. However, do it slowly over several hours.
