Cactus gardens or individual cactus plants in containers have become popular because of both their look and texture in a home or office setting. Cactus gardens captured in the right pot are dramatic and easy to maintain. So while a cactus garden would traditionally conjure up the image of big, spiky, cactus plants, grouped in a large outdoor area exposed to full sun, this is the image, but not the only possibility.

It is possible to have a cactus garden in a miniature setting, in an indoor area with only south facing windows. When it comes to a cactus garden, it is possible to have a combination of cactus and succulent plants that have no spikes at all. A cactus garden such as this would make an ideal indoor garden.

Care for cacti and succulents placed indoors

Place your cactus plant or succulent in any well-lit position in your home or office. If you have a position that gets some direct sunlight during the day, this would be great. If on the other hand you don’t have any direct sunlight, try placing the plant in an area that has good filtered light. This will be fine for most cacti and succulents.

Water your indoor cacti and succulents according to their location. If they are in a position that gets very hot, water them as much as once a week but not less than once every two weeks. If they are in mild conditions, water them once every month. Always remember that it is better to underwater cactus plants and succulents than to overwater them. So when in doubt, don’t water!

A tip for cactus plants and succulents kept indoors is when watering, water in the morning and make sure that they are in a position that will see at least a little bit of morning sun after watering. This will allow the sun to dry any water left sitting on the plant, so that the water does not rot your cactus plant or succulent. So if your plant does not sit in a position that is exposed to direct sunlight, on the day of watering, place your plant in a position that does have exposure to morning sun. A caution: do not place a plant that never sees direct sun in anything greater than early morning sun, as the plant not accustomed to the direct sunlight may get burnt.

In winter, water your cactus plants and succulents once a month.

Part of the fun in designing a miniature garden is choosing among myriad plants, pots, and textured mulches. Remember cacti are succulent so we’ve paired these different types and textures. Cactus and succulents have shallow roots and don't need deep containers. Shown here is a rectangular ceramic pot 3 inches deep, 6 1/2 to 8 inches wide, and 9 to 11 inches long. One dish takes about 20 minutes.

Two cactus—Pilosocereus (front) and Cleistocactus (rear) as shown here or good substitutes available at the nursery as Aloe vera, Stapelia hirsuta, or Trichocereus and —are paired with Echeveria and other succulents in a desert-style garden.

The flowering maple (Abutilon hybridum) is not really a maple at all. That common name is derived from their maple-shaped leaves. The Abutilon is also commonly known as a Chinese bellflower or a Chinese lantern.

The blooming season for most Abutilons is from April through June, but they will often flower periodically through the winter as well. The flowers differ with each variety, but generally resemble a cross between a Hybiscus and a Hollyhock, and are available in many colors ranging from white to reds, yellow, orange or shades of blue. The foliage is usually a pale green, but there are variegated forms with white or yellow mottling.

FOLI-CAL
10% Calcium Concentrate
Correction of Calcium Deficiency on Tomatoes,Peppers, Apples and Other Crops
FOLI-CAL is a liquid formulation of calcium for preventing and treating plant physiological disorders associated with calcium deficiency. Some of these are Bitter Pit of apples; Blossom-End Rot of tomatoes, peppers and melons; Brown Checking (black heart) of celery; Internal Brown Spot of potato tubers; Cork Spot of pears; Internal Browning of grapes, etc. Foliar sprays of FOLICAL are intended to complement good soil fertility by supplying nutrients directly to the foliage and fruit of crops during critical growth stages.

Retail price: $10.99 for 1 pint

Name: Barbara Smithson

Position at Wegman's: Houseplants and Giftware

Hobbies: Gardening, reading , hanging with my kids

Favorite Food: Italian

Favorite Plant or flower: Alstromeria—Peruvian lily

Favorite garden center product: Dr. Earth Fertilizers

Barbara's message to you: "Come and visit me in our houseplant area. I'm sure I can find just the right houseplant for you! Keep on gardening; it strengthens your soul."