Bringing the Wild Inside: Growing Jungle Cacti Indoors

Growing houseplants can be a relaxing hobby that can add an organic livelihood to your indoor environment without too much effort or forethought. A beautiful option for indoor growing that is sometimes overlooked is the cactus. While a large variety of cacti exist, they can be subdivided into two large groups, separated by the environment in which they naturally grow. A desert cactus is the type of cactus that comes to mind for most when thinking about cacti, because it is the most familiar. Desert cacti grow in arid, dry areas where water is scarce, and only the hardiest of organisms survive. The other type of cacti and the focus of this article is the less commonly known, jungle cacti, which flourish in rainforests and jungle environments across the globe.

Jungle cacti in the wild are most often found growing on trees or in rocky, craggy areas as they find most of the nutrients they need to survive in these locations. The jungle cactus gets its essential food and nutrients from decomposing leaves and naturally existing components in the air. It is most essential to provide the correct consistency of soil for their roots when growing in your indoor environment. The soil must be extremely well draining as the conditions found in a tree or rocky jungle floor would be, in order to avoid standing water that can be extremely detrimental to the cacti’s root system. Jungle cacti also demand a richer soil than their desert counterpart; imagine how rich the soil in a dense, humid rainforest might be, now replicate it! Fertilizer can be extremely helpful to add the necessary nutrients for your jungle cactus to flourish and grow, so be sure and add some to your soil mixture.

As you would probably imagine, jungle cacti require more water than their desert cousins, due to the naturally occurring conditions of their native environment. Outside growing cacti, in warmer climes of course, can get some of their liquid nourishment from the elements rather than all supplied by you and your garden hose reel. Indoors, a routine needs to be established for watering, with weekly finger checks of the soil necessary to prescribe when water is required. If the soil feels dry when sticking your finger just under the surface, water is needed; if wet to the touch, abstain. Remember that watering your cactus too often can be just as harmful as watering it too little. The last ingredient for healthy jungle cacti growth is sunlight. Whether naturally or artificially supplied, full sunny exposure for half the day, and shade the other half works best for your cactus to bloom and grow.

Undoubtedly, if this is your first foray into cactus growing, it will not be your last. Cacti are a wonderful addition to your indoor decor, complimenting the environment, and coexisting well with whatever other plants you choose to grow in your home.

About the author: Jon Bassfarm is an Internet content writer who enjoys researching and writing about many subjects including garden hose reel and landscaping.