What type of pot for a cactus?

[Lyn1949]

What type of pot should you buy for a cactus

[BradN]

Hi @Lyn1949 , and a very warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. 

Drainage is the most important thing when selecting a pot for a cactus or any other succulent. You want a pot with a nice, big drainage hole, and it's best to use a free-draining potting mix such as Scotts Osmocote Cacti & Succulent Premium Potting Mix.

Cacti and succulents come from dry environments, and if you leave them in waterlogged soil or potting mix they can rot and die. The good thing is that they're not going to die from underwatering. If you're ever in doubt as to whether to water a succulent just leave it for another week.

Many people like to use unsealed terra cotta pots for succulents. This is because terra cotta is porous, so water can escape through the sides of the pot as well as the drainage hole. 

If you want to put your cactus in an ornamental pot that doesn't have a drainage hole, the best thing to do is leave it in its plastic pot (or repot it into a slightly bigger plastic pot if necessary) and then place the plastic pot inside the ornamental pot. That way you can take the cactus out of the ornamental pot to water it, and then put it back in once it has drained. If you're doing this, though, remember not to leave it out in the rain because the ornamental pot can fill up like a fish tank and kill your cactus.

I hope that helps. If you have more questions the staff and members here are always happy to help.

Cheers,

Brad

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Lyn1949. It's a pleasure to have you join us, and many thanks for your question on potting cacti.

@BradN is right on the money and has covered the most important aspects of potting cacti. Adequate drainage is vital, and without it, your cactus will struggle. I often like to add marble-sized gravel into the bottom of any pot I'm using. It's a safety measure that ensures the drainage holes don't get blocked up, preventing the water from draining. Here's a handy guide on How to plant and grow a cactus which you'll find useful.

We can also assist you with drilling additional holes in a specific ornamental pot if you like the look of one. 

We look forward to seeing your new cactus all potted up, and please don't hesitate to let us know if you have questions or need further assistance.

Mitchell