Ready to dive into your new favorite plant project? Today, we're talking about growing cacti from seed! It's not just about throwing some seeds in the dirt and hoping for the best (although, that would be pretty convenient, wouldn't it?). The reality is cactus seeds can be a bit finicky to grow, but the end result is so worth it- your hard work gets rewarded with the most adorable little balls of spikes. Even if you're not a cactus fan(like I was), you'll become one by watching these grow up from chunky green babies into lovely adult plants.
step 1: choose your seeds wisely
First things first, make sure you find a good, credible source for cactus seeds! Beware, there are many scams online, so make sure to check for details such as photos of the plants at different growth stages and good reviews with photos from other customers.
You can check out our cactus seeds that you'll see featured throughout the post here!
step 2: set the stage for success
Now, it's time to create the perfect environment for your soon-to-be cactus babies. Let's cover the basics of the setup:
Light: Cacti love sunlight, but the seeds need a spot away from direct sunlight. A windowsill with filtered sun or grow lights work best!
Soil: For soil, it's best to go with either coconut fiber soil pods or a cactus potting mix- make sure it's not too chunky or the seeds will get lost in the gaps. Make sure to water the soil thoroughly, as long as your selected planter has good drainage, don't worry about overwatering!
Humidity: These seeds need high humidity to germinate, you can either cover your planter with a ziploc baggie or plastic wrap, or better yet, use a mini greenhouse to keep the moisture sealed in.
Warmth: Finally, these seeds need consistent warmth! They need to be 70F-85F to sprout. If it's cooler in your home(keep in mind any temperature drops that might happen at night), a seedling heat mat is a very worthwhile investment! You can get one for anywhere from $10-$20, and it's a game changer for growing houseplant seeds.
Now to bring together all the components: sow the seeds in the moist soil, cover with a humidity dome of some sort, place in a warm spot and keep it out of direct sunlight. Keep in mind some seeds(like Opuntia) might benefit from pre-soaking prior to planting, in which case before planting the seeds, soak the seeds in water for 12-24 hours.
step 3: patience is a virtue
Once you've planted your seeds and set up their cozy little home, it's time to play the waiting game. Growing cacti from seeds takes time, so be patient and resist the urge to check on them every five minutes (we know, it's hard).
Since these seeds can take a while to sprout, you may need to add water to the setup. Open the dome about once a week to check on the soil to see if it's drying out, and add water as needed. Otherwise, leave the dome in place to keep the temperature and humidity levels stable!
step 4: tlc goes a long way
As your cactus seedlings start to sprout, be sure to give them the love and attention they deserve. As soon as you see sprouts, open the air vents on your dome if it has them, otherwise, you can poke some holes in a plastic covering. If it's warm in your home, you can remove the dome completely after a couple of days. Keep an eye on their growth, water them just enough to make sure the soil never fully dries out, and make sure they have plenty of light. As they grow, you can start to acclimate them to direct sunlight, but make sure to go slowly!
step 5: watch them grow
Before you know it, those tiny seeds will grow into adorable and hardy little cacti!
Step up your gardening game to the next level and try growing these seeds, watching them grow from seed is so much more rewarding than just buying one at a store!
