Birthday
HydrangeasWant to stand out from guests with identical bouquets? Give a cactus or a succulent. These plants live for years, need very little care and look stylish at home or in the office. They suit mums, teachers, colleagues, graduates and friends moving into a new home. Here are 10 gift ideas with cacti and succulents, from classics to craft projects with kids.
1. The "pencil cactus"
This is the name for Euphorbia tirucalli, a succulent with thin green stems that look like pencils. It is not a true cactus, but it grows fast, is undemanding and looks very graphic in a simple clay pot. Important: its milky sap irritates skin and eyes, so wear gloves when repotting or pruning, and keep it away from children and pets.
2. Succulents in modern pots
A pair of echeverias, agaves or haworthias in minimalist concrete or ceramic pots is a safe bet for a young family or an office. Succulents store water in their leaves, so they cope well if their owner forgets about them for a week or two.
3. DIY painted jars
.jpg)
A great way to get kids involved in making a gift for mum, grandma or a teacher. Paint tin cans or glass jars in bright colours, make drainage holes in the bottom (or add a layer of gravel) and plant small cacti.
4. A mini collection in vintage china
Old teacups, sugar bowls and coffee pots make charming planters for a small collection. Since they have no holes, add a drainage layer at the bottom and water very sparingly.
5. A classic cactus
A mammillaria, echinopsis, rebutia or cereus in a pretty pot is a simple, symbolic gift for a graduate or a housewarming. Many of these cacti flower regularly if kept cool and almost dry in winter.
6. Grafted moon cactus
The bright red, yellow and orange "balls" on a green stand are Gymnocalycium mihanovichii grafted onto another cactus. The coloured top is not a flower but a stem without chlorophyll, so it cannot survive on its own and only grows on its rootstock. These cacti look festive and children love them.
7. A succulent bowl
A wide, shallow bowl or glass terrarium with several kinds of succulents is a ready-made mini arrangement that lasts for years. Choose plants with similar light and water needs and don't forget a drainage layer.
8. The old man cactus
Cephalocereus senilis is covered in long white hairs, which is why it is called the old man cactus. It looks soft, but sharp spines hide under the "grey hair". An unusual gift for a dad, grandad or a colleague with a sense of humour.
9. Panda plant
The panda plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa) is not a cactus but a succulent with velvety silver leaves and brown "spots" along the edges. It has no spines and its leaves are lovely to touch. Bear in mind, though, that it is toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of pets' reach.
10. Cacti made from plastic bottles
Who says a cactus has to be alive? Green plastic bottles, pots, paint and a little imagination turn into a funny "collection" that never needs watering. A great project for kids and a way to give bottles a second life.
FAQ
Who is a cactus a good gift for?
Almost anyone: mums, teachers, colleagues, graduates and friends at a housewarming — especially people who work a lot or travel often.
How often should a cactus be watered?
In spring and summer, when the soil has dried out completely; in winter, very rarely or not at all if the plant is kept cool.
Want to give a living plant with no fuss? Choose from our potted plants with UFL delivery in Kyiv.
View full-size photo
Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
