This presentation deals with the cactus and succulents suitable for landscaping

1. Janaharshini R (2018006015)
Cacti and Succulents in Landscaping

2. Introduction
• Cacti and succulents are a group of plants which
have special structures to store water in thick
fleshy leaves or stems.
• Their leaves are fleshy with plenty of water
holding tissues, often reduced in size, covered
with a thick epidermis with only a few stomata and
are often coated with a whitish or blue wax or
wooly hairs.
• They thrive best in sunny situations and are light
loving.
• They need little care except when actively
growing.

3. • All the cacti are succulents on account of storing water
but all the succulents are not cacti. There is a clear
distinction between both .
• The cacti are one type of succulents which are exclusively
belonging to Cactaceae family. They are perennials, has
areoles which often looks like wolly cushions carrying
spines.
• The spines in a cactus are modified leaves which provide
shade against scorching sun and help in conservation of
moisture besides protecting against birds and animals.

4. • Most of the cacti do not have leaves but the succulents have
leaves. The cacti usually bloom annually.
• Cacti can be raised from seeds but the process is very slow.
Hence, the common practice is to grow them through
vegetative buds.
• The container for cacti are filled with an 10 cm gravel and
above that a thin layer of sand is spread to provide drainage.
The best soil mixture consists of sandy loam, little cowdung
manure and some broken bricks.
• Repotting is necessary with fresh soil once in two or three
years, usually in the same containers, since the plant grow
very slowly.
• Cacti and succulents are very popular amongst gardeners and
they are used to adorn sunny situations of gardens, houses,
window sides and rock gardens

5. Growing of Cacti and Succulents
CLIMATE:
• Cacti are adaptable to wide range of climatic conditions.
• The extremes of temperature i.e. above 35⁰C and exposure to
direct scorching sun results into yellowing and finally rotting.
• Plants should be shaded to protect them. Very low temperature
also inhibits the growth of cacti.
• The plants also have a resting period. During this period cacti
need little care and watering at longer intervals.
• Active growth starts again during spring season and continues
till autumn.

6. SOIL:
• Well in porous and rich in calcareous soil.
• For making a pot mixture care should be taken to include all
necessary gradients which are benefitted for their growth.
• General ideal port mixture for cacti  2 parts garden soil: 1
part of sand : 1 part leaf mould: 1 part well rotten manure: 1
part old mortar or limestone gravel and ½ part charcoal.
• Small amount of basic slag or bone meal to be added.
Growing of Cacti and Succulents

7. • Propagation  Division of offset or clumps or rootsuckers, Cuttings
and Grafting
• Watering Cacti and succulents do not needd liberal watering.
• Judicious application of water is required for successful growing.
• In winter months i.e. during rest period watering is to be done very
sparingly.
• Little frequent watering is done during summer months when cacti
grow.
• Every time the soil is to be drenched completely so that water
comes out of the drain hole and over watering should be avoided
Growing of Cacti and Succulents

8. CACTI GARDEN, KEVADI (GUJARAT)

9. CACTI GARDEN, KEVADI (GUJARAT)

10. COMMON SUCCULENTS
1.Agave sp.- Amaryllidaceae
• Evergreen massive growing plant with
short stem and leaves in a close rosette.
• Leaves are stiff and are tipped with sharp
points, leathery and fibrous.
• Use agaves as single specimen local
points in landscape or containers or in
rock garden with other succulents ,but
keep the armored varieties away from
paths.

11. 2.Adenium obesum
• Handsome plant with
succulent swollen stem at
base, shrub growing upto
1-2m, very large showy
funnel shaped- white pink
to crimson coloured
flowers during dry months.

12. 3.Aloe (Liliaceae)
• Plants are evergreen with soft, succulent thick
leaves, often prickly or spiny resembling the
Agaves.
• Depending upon the species, there are Aloe
that bloom every month of the year , but most
common floral flourishes occur in midwinter to
summer.
• LANDSCAPE IDEAS: Popular for dry landscapes
in Mediterranean climates.
• For rock gardens, A. petricola thrives among
stones.
• In colder zones, Plant aloes in containers so
they can be moved during inclement weathers.
Aloe petricola

13. 4.Bryophyllum
• It is an erect growing
succulent herb with thick
fleshy simple leaves.
• It is good pot plant and
could be easily
propagated by leaves or
leaf cuttings.

14. 5. Echeveria (Native – Mexico and Central America)
• Cotyledon or Oyster plant.
• They are small succulent herbaceous
perennials with dense rosettes of small
leaves.
• Useful for growing in higher elevation.
• Useful for edging flower beds or in
carpet beds in the hills.
• They can also grow indoors where there
is bright , indirect light.
• Propagated from suckers and also by
leaves.

15. 6.Furcraea watsoniana
• Ornamental foliage plants
resembling agaves ;the
variegated spines are very
attractive.
• Leaves are variegated, yellowish
white, white and green
measuring 1-1.5 m long.
• The flower, stem resembles that
of Agaves and bears innumerable
bulbils from which this species is
propagated.

16. 7.Gasteria
• Aloe-like small evergreen
succulent plants with fleshy,
thick tongue shaped leaves
which are green, spotted with
white or purple.
• Propagated by offsets and
leaf cuttings.

17. 8.Kalanchoe
• Dwarf succulent plant
resembling Bryophyllum
with thick fleshy leaves
from which they are
propagated.
• Flowers showy , provided
in terminal clusters.

18. 9.Pedilanthus sp.
• Often used as a hedge border plant, produce variegated leaves.

19. 10. Sansevieria zeylancia
• Produces erect strap-shaped leaf, 0.25
to 1.0 m long, which is green striped
with grey bands.
• Other species having garden
importance are S. cylindrica which
produces green cylindrical leaves and
S. trifasciata which develops like
rosette with spirally arranged leaves
around the stem.

20. Sansevieria cylindrica Sansevieria trifasciata

21. 11.Euphorbia
• Stems are thorny, leaves small.
• Stem and leaves discharge poisonous
milky juice when punctured.
• Propagated by cutting.
• Important species: E. candelabrum,
E. neriifolia, E.splendens (Mother in
law’s tongue), E. pendula (Suitable
for hanging baskets), E. aphylla.

22. 12.Haworthia
• Small plants with or without a
short stem, leaves in rosettes or
closely overlapping or arranged in
several rows.
• Easily propagated by offsets

23. 13. Portulacaria afra
• Succulent shrub and very
common for hanging baskets .
• Stem is horizontally spreading.
• Leaves are thick, glabrous,
opposite, obovate and shining
green.

24. • Plants are prostrate and stems are
covered with glistening papillae.
• Leaves are heart shaped, short stalked,
opposite, fleshy and covered with
papillae.
• Small flowers are short stalked , purplish
red in colour.
• Ideally suited for hanging baskets,
rockery, window gardens.
• Flowering occurs during hot months and
July to September.
14.Aptenia cordifolia (Aizoaceae)

25. • Perennial and shrubbery in nature.
• They have either opposite and persistent leaves with thick
and fleshy stems or leaves are alternative and summer
deciduous.
• Propagation  Seeds, stem cuttings , leaf cuttings.
IMPORTANT SPECIES
• C. orbiculata  Plants has thick stems with opposite,
unstalked , ovate- obovate and fleshy leaves.
• Leaves have grey waxy covering.
• Flowers appear in summer and are of yellowish – red colour
15. Cotyledon sp. (Crassulaceae)

26. • Popularly called as “Flowering
stones” on account of their
similarity to surrounding gravels,
stones or pebbles.
• Plants grow singly or in clumps.
• Plant bodies consist of single pair of
brownish grey leaves and reticulate
surfaces.
• Sometimes surfaced is dotted.
• Flowers are short stalked, white or
yellow in colour.
• Propagation  Seeds and cuttings
16. Lithops sp. (Aizoaceae)

27. • Small tree with swollen trunk at the base and tapering towards
apex.
• Leaves are long, narrow and recurved in tuft.
17. Nolina recurvata

28. • Native : Central Africa, Madagascar, Peru, Bolivia and
Philippines.
• Common species:
- S. compactum  Low growing herbaceous plants with obovate
to obtuse leaves on short rosette.
- S. morganianum  Leaves arebthick, fleshy and numerous.
- S. nudum  Leaves are alternate, obovate, oblong thick and
blunt at the tip.
18. Sedum sp.

29. CACTUS & THEIR TRIBES
• Family : Cactaceae
• Further divided into 3 tribes
- TRIBE 1: Pereskieae- Primitive form and
near to original forest trees. Plants are
leafy bushes , have stalked flowers in
clusters like wild roses. Spines are
present but not in glochids or barbed
bristles . Eg., Pereskia grandiflora (Rose
cactus).

30. • TRIBE 2: Opuntieae- Plants are
characterized by glochids or sharp,
easily detached bundles of barbed
bristles in the aerioles. Stem or
branches are fleshy, loosely joined
either flat or pad like or cylindrical
having spines but without ribs.
Flowers are without petioles and
tubes and generally of wheel shape.
E.g.Opuntia sp.
CACTUS & THEIR TRIBES

31. - TRIBE 3: Cereae – largest group and members characterized by
ribbed, fleshy stems of continous growth in columns or globes.
Glochids are absent from areoles. Flowers are tubular and very
showy except Riphalis section. They are attached directly on the
plant without stems.
- This tribe is largest one and further divided into 8 subtribes:
• Cereanae – Column or torch cacti. Branches- numerous and ribbed.
Funnel shaped flowers appears on the top.eg., cereus,
cephalocereus, cleistocactus, Trichocereus
• Hylocereanae- Vine like habit with aerial roots clinging to trees and
rocks. Mostly night blooming cacti and large flowered.Important
genera – Selenicereus, Hylocereus, Weberocereus, Cryptocereus etc.,
CACTUS & THEIR TRIBES

32. • Echinocereanae- These are low, growing in clusters or
single, heavily ribbed. Flowers are bell shaped, showy
and appear on the side of the stem.Important genera:
Echinocereus, Echinopsis, Rebutia, Chamaecereus etc.,
• Echinocactaenae - They grow low and small and
sometimes forming clusters, ribbed and spiny. Flowers
are most beautiful. e.g., Astrophytum, Echinocactus etc.,
• Cactanae- Melon cactus or Turk’s cap. Can e easily
identified by the presence of wooly or bristle ,cap like
structure on the top of the globular body. Flowers arise
from the top. E.g. Melocactus
CACTUS & THEIR TRIBES

33. • Coryphanthanae – Pincushion cacti. They are globe shaped,
Stems are small forming large clusters with tubercles or
nipples in rows. Important genera : Mammillaria and
Coryphantha
• Epiphyelanae- Mostly epiphytic and tropical. Branches are
flat and leaf like of usually without spines. Flowers are
showy. E.g. Zygocactus and Epiphyllum
• Rhipsalidanae- Chain cacti. They are freely branching with
slender ,cylindrical or flat branches .Stems are pendent
forming dense masses on trees of tropical forests.They bear
tiny flowers and berries. Important genera: Riphalis and
Rhipsalidopsis
CACTUS & THEIR TRIBES

34. COMMON CACTUS
1.Cephalocereus senilis
• Small columnar forms and the most
distinguishing feature is the mass of
hair from the aerole which looks like
a thick bunch of wool, depending on
the species, either the growing point
is fully covered with wooly hairs or
the body also, hence popularly called
OLD MAN CACTUS.

35. 2.Cereus sp.
• Night blooming cacti
• They are long stemmed, vigorous growing,
thorny, hardy plants.
• They are leafless climbers can reach the top of
tall trees.
• They bloom during night and flowers are large,
white and scented.
• They can be used as rootstock for Epiphyllum
and phyllocactus.
• Important species: C. hexagonus, C.
argentinensis, C. jamacaru, C. peruvianus and C.
repandus.

36. 3.Echinocactus
• Hedge Hog Cactus.
• Small unbranching.
• Ovoid or globes succulent, prickly plant.
• They resemble a ribbed melon of the size
of a cricket ball with star-like
arrangement of thorns along the ribs.
• Golden Barrel is another variety with
large ribbed green ball armed with
straight golden yellow spines.
Golden Barrel

37. 4.Echinocereus
• Low growing plants forming
groups of clusters.
• They can be grown in small
pots and they produce large
flowers.

38. 5.Echinopsis
• Barrel/Hedge– Hog Cactus.
• Small spiny succulent.
• They produce detachable offsets.
• Suitable for growing in small pots
for their increasing flowers.
• Propagated by offsets.

39. 6.Epiphyllum
• Christmas Cactus or Crab
Cactus.
• Plants with flattened
succulent stems.
• The plants are spineless and
bear usually large attractive
flowers.
• Propagated by cuttings and
can be used as rootstock.

40. 7.Mammilaria
• Nipple cactus or Elephant’s Tooth
cactus.
• Dwarf plants with leafless
cylindrical or globular stems
bearing over their surface, small
tubercles and each tubercle being
covered by a rosette of hairy
spines.
• Propagated by offsets.

41. • Native : West Indies and coast of South
America
• Lemon Vine
• Woody plant, have needle like brown spines.
Leaves are waxy green and elliptic.
• Flowers are creamish in colour and posses
lemon like scent.
• P. grandiflora Rose cactus- tall shrub growing
with abundantly spiny trunk.Leaves are rich
green, fleshy and waxy. Flowers are produced
in terminal clusters of rose colour and very
similar to wild rose.
8.Pereskia aculeata

42. • Commonly grown cactus for fencing.
• There are large number of species
and some are ornamental.
• Common sp. For fencing  O.
cylindrica, O. caribaea, O.
tetracantha and O. subulata.
• Opuntia monocantha variegata 
Highly ornamental having patches of
different colours like pink, red and
yellow.
9. Opuntia sp.

43. • Large group of vigorous and hardy
plants.
• Plants flower when they are
young.Large flowers are produced on
the top of the plant and are yellow in
colour with purple red stigma .
• Important species: N. haselbergii, N.
elachisanthus.
10. Notocactus sp.

44. • Rat’s tail cactus.
• Stems are long about 1.5-2 m, slender and
hanging.
• Stems are closely ribbed and densely covered
with small brownish spines.
• Flowers are tubular which are produced on
long hanging stems and last for several days.
• Ideally suitable for hanging baskets.
• Important sp.  A. mallisonii, A. conzatti, A.
martianus.
11. Aprocactus flagelliformis

45. • Commonly known as ‘Bishop’s cap’.
• The usual number of ribs is 5 but it ranges
from 3-8.
• The dark surface is covered with silvery
scales.
• Plants are spineless but have prominent
areoles.
• Large numbers of small, sweetly scented
yellow with reddish throat are produced.
• It is ideally suited for small pots.
• Other species: A. asterias, A. capricorne.
12. Astrophytum myriostigma

46. 13. Coryphantha sp.
• Small, globular or cylindrical cacti,
divided into tubercles.
• They have attractive spine
formations and look attractive.
• Flowers are large and are produced
at the top.
• Important species are C. echinus, C.
cornifera, C. clava, C. pallida,
C.vivipara etc.,

47. 14. Ferocactus sp.
• General name has been derived from
English word ‘Ferocious’, on account of
its look due to presence of fierce
spines.
• But spines are beautifully coloured.
• Plants are slow growing.
• Flowers of red or yellow colour are
borne on the top of the plant.
• Important species: F. acanthodes, F.
covillei, F. johnstonianus, F. latispinus,
F. melocactiformis etc.,

48. 15. Gymnocalycium sp.
• Chin cactus
• These are globular plants and have few ribs
which are divided into tubercles .
• There is a cleft below each tubercle, giving a
‘Chin” like effect.
• Length of spines and shape vary greatly with
the species.
• Some have short, thin spines, while others
possess long stout and curved ones.
• Flowers are quite large of about 5 cm across
and lasts for several days .
• Important species: G. denudatum, G.
baldianum, G. bruchii, G. dimsii, G.
gibbosum etc.,

49. References
• Planting designs for Cactus and Succulents –Sharon Asakawa
and John Bagnasco ,Cool Springs Press.
• Introductory Ornamental Horticulture –Dr. J.S.Arora