We deliver cacti to the Brisbane and the Gold Coast region if you purchase via our online store. We can also post Australia-wide. We have the best range of unique cacti grown on our cactus farm. We also supply cacti to The Nurso in Brisbane so that you can see the cacti in person. A visit to our home store on the Gold Coast is the best experience; we provide on-site advice to ensure your cacti thrive, plus landscaping advice for any DIY cactus projects you embark on.
How often you should water a cactus depends on the season, the pot or garden location, and the type of cactus. Since you're in South East Queensland (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast), where summers are hot and humid and winters are mild and dry, a general guide is:
---
Cacti in the ground
- Summer (Dec–Feb): Water every 10–21 days if there has been little rain.
- Autumn & Spring: Water every 2–4 weeks.
- Winter: Usually once every 4–8 weeks, or not at all if you're getting regular winter rain.
Cacti in pots
- Summer: Water every 7–14 days.
- Autumn & Spring: Every 2–3 weeks.
- Winter: Every 3–6 weeks.
The golden rule
Always let the soil dry out completely before watering again. It's much easier to kill a cactus with too much water than too little.
For potted cacti in South East Queensland, the ideal soil is fast-draining, gritty, and mineral-rich. The biggest cause of cactus loss is soil that stays wet for too long.
Best DIY cactus potting mix
For most desert cacti, use:
- 30% premium potting mix
- 30% 5mm Soft fall pine bark (cost-effective) or Scoria Rocks
- 30% perlite
- 10% coarse washed sand
This provides enough organic matter for nutrients while allowing water to drain quickly. Cactus Thing has the perfect soil blend and is available in-store to ensure your cacti thrive.
Premium mix for collectors
If you're growing rare or expensive cacti:
- 30% premium potting mix
- 30% pumice
- 20% scoria (3–7 mm)
- 20% coarse washed sand
This dries even faster and promotes healthier root systems.
Best ingredients
- Pumice – Holds a little moisture while keeping plenty of air around the roots. Excellent for long-term root health.
- Perlite – Lightweight and improves drainage, though it can float to the top over time.
- Scoria (lava rock) – Adds weight and long-lasting drainage.
- Coarse river sand – Improves drainage and stability.
- Premium potting mix – Supplies organic matter and nutrients.
Ranking the best types
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Blue Myrtle
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Golden Barrel
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Mexican Fence Post
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Euphorbia Ammak
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Blue Torch
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Gold Torch
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Pachycereus pringlei
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Euphorbia ingens
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Cereus repandus
-------
For a premium indoor collection in South East Queensland
If you're curating a nursery or a Palm Springs-inspired indoor range, I'd prioritise:
- Blue Myrtle Cactus
- Golden Barrel
- Mexican Fence Post
- Blue Torch
- Euphorbia Ammak
- Gold Torch
- Pachycereus pringlei
- Euphorbia ingens
These species combine strong visual appeal with good adaptability to indoor conditions in Brisbane's subtropical climate, provided they're placed in the brightest part of the home (ideally a north- or west-facing window) and grown in a fast-draining cactus mix with infrequent watering.