I’ve always had a fondness for the desert. I’m drawn like a magnet to the orange and coral colors, the worn smooth sandstone, the heat, the textures, the flora and fauna. When I see a barrel cactus, prickly pear or blue agave, I think all is right in the world! We can all have a little piece of the desert right at home with a cactus living wreath.
Although wreaths are usually hung on a wall or door, they can be very effective as a table decoration. I imagine this thorny lovely on your table as you sip a frosty margarita! Ole! This wreath is not for the faint of heart; however, you will be richly rewarded with a daring conversation piece.
You’ll need a variety of small cactus to create this living wreath. Cactuses are usually available in most grocery stores and large hardware stores, so making this living wreath is very accessible. Pick an array of different colors, sizes and textures or whatever cactuses are calling out to you.
| 11-inch wreath base |
| 25 cactuses |
Planning the Design
Just like the succulent wreaths, you will want to pre-plan your cactus wreath design and layout. Arrange the cactuses on a table to find a pleasing arrangement or simply start planting and adding cactuses as you move around the wreath. I like the look of clustering similar colors in areas to add some interest and to maintain balance.
Prepping the Cactus
When working with cactuses, you will want to wear heavy garden gloves. Pick a pair that fits your hands properly. You’ll want a snug fit.
Gently grab the base of a cactus with the forceps and pull the plant out of the plastic pot. Knock off as much of the sandy soil as possible with a screwdriver or wooden skewer. Doing this over a bucket to catch the excess soil is a good idea.
Give the roots a good dunk in fresh water to really clean off the root ball. As you are working with the different varieties, you’ll notice some can be easily divided and used in different areas of the wreath.
Planting the Cactus
Be sure to take the utmost care while creating a cactus wreath. Spines will prick you at the most inopportune times. Poke holes into the wreath form with your forceps or screwdriver. Some of the cactus roots can be on the bulky side, so really open a wide hole by twisting your forceps in a circular rotation.
Lift each cactus with forceps and then place it in a hole. A bent piece of thick cardboard to hold or support the cactus is also a useful tool.
Use your forceps to push roots deep into the soil. To give some extra support while roots start, secure the plants with floral pins, but take care to not pierce the cactuses. On the outer edge of my wreath, I used a number of wire pins on the large ball cactus; gravity likes to pull them out. If you find some bare spots near the roots, add in a pinch of moss.
Care
After planting, water weekly for one month until roots become established. Soak the wreath with a slow and gentle dribble from the hose until completely moist and then drain well. Cactuses love the heat and sun and are very drought tolerant, so this wreath will be happy outdoors. The wreath will look its best with regular watering in hotter months. Cactuses also thrive indoors with plenty of light and require very little watering.
