Landscaping with cactus and succulents evokes a unique style. There are so many different colors, textures, shapes, and sizes in the cactus and succulent world. Use this to your advantage in designing your landscape. Full sun and good drainage are necessary for this landscape.
Place rocks of different sizes in your landscape to create the perfect environment for these plants. Companion plants will bring out the natural beauty of your cacti and succulents. It's not necessary to plant your cactus or succulent a certain width apart; it's up to you to create the look you want.
Check out the photos below to gather some cactus and succulent landscaping ideas!
1. High Volume and Size
Big and bold is quite the look. If you have the space in your plantable area, try using high volume plants to fill in space and create a show of color and texture. It certainly demands the attention of the eye.
2. Tropical Succulents
Succulents and tropical plants are a beautiful way to liven up a space. Planting multiples of each variety helps fill in the space and make it look more dramatic.
3. Intrigue with Cactus Shape
Since cactus come in so many shapes, it's easy to use their unique attributes to bring character to any region. This cactus resembles a candelabra, adding even more intrigue to the area in which it was planted.
4. Succulents in a Moss Garden
Planting succulents into a bed of moss softens their features and illuminates their vibrant colors. The moss also helps to keep the succulents watered due to their ability to retain a lot of water. The succulents get enough water and won't rot.
5. Diversity in Succulent Planters
With how much diversity that succulents offer, it's a fun addition to plant them into a variety of different planters to bring forth even more variety. If you have a short wall along your house or garden, try adding some potted succulents to the top of it.
6. Mini Cacti
If you have a small area where you can plant, place a handful of mini cacti in the area. Small but mighty.
7. Deep Texture and Color with the Bunny Ear
The Bunny Ear cactus has beautiful, deep green hues that are speckled by small, white spines. This cactus is sure to enhance any landscape.
8. Size and Number
If you have large trees or plants, feature a cluster of large cactus next to it.
9. Succulent and Cactus Combination
These two hardy plants will play off each other's colors and textures for a stunning display.
10. Pops of Color
The Ruby Ball cactus adds a stunning pop of color that will have you in disbelief. It's amazing that colors like this express themselves in nature. They only require deep watering every once in a while then become very drought tolerant.
11. Barrel Cactus in a Bed of Succulents
Succulent plants fill in the space nicely in between your landscape features.
12. Seashell Planters
Succulents look incredible and are showcased very well in planters. Seashell planters such as this one give the plants a coastal vibe.
13. Overflowing Succulent Planters
Giant succulents look amazing and serve as an excellent centerpiece. Plant smaller succulents around it and other spilling plants to create beautiful texture.
14. Desert Landscape
Bring in some large boulders to help produce the natural topography of these plants.
15. Base of a Windmill
The barrel cactus is an excellent addition to any region.
16. Cactus Garden
The short height of the Agave (looks like an artichoke) and the Barrel Cactus are a great complement to the tall Saguaro cactus.
17. Color Variety
You won't have a shortage of color in your desert landscape with your use of succulents. Red lava rock helps pull out these natural colors, too.
18. Luscious Greens
The shades of green of your different plants pack a punch.
19. Garden Accents
A great way to supplement the beauty of your garden plants is by adding garden features, such as colorful planters and garden animal statues. Placing items such as those in your garden helps tell a story.
20. Lush Succulents for Erosion Control
Planting beautiful, luscious succulents such as these will enhance your landscape while also helping to prevent erosion. Because of their drought tolerance, succulents are perfect for low maintenance and low water regions.
21. Saguaro Cactus and its Complements
Talk about designing a striking desert landscape! Incorporate lots of colors, textures, and sizes to produce a truly eye-catching landscape.
22. Spacious Desert Scape
Evenly spacing out your plants provides symmetry in the landscape.
23. Planter Succulents
Build a mini landscape by planting succulents in a large pot.
24. Lined Walkway or Driveway
If you have a wide path or driveway, use the space to your advantage. Lining areas such as these has been a classic look for a long time.
25. Cactus Forest
The height of this group of cacti gives them an appearance like a forest, stretching toward the sky.
26. Base of Mountain Display
If you don't want to fully landscape an entire area, consider using a combination of crushed gravel, river rocks (to be used as a wash in the rainy season), and grass for a section of your yard. This design is low maintenance, but beautiful.
27. Saguaro Region
The Saguaro cactus is a loved cactus, so let it be the center of attention in your landscape. Its shape is one of the most recognizable, so use complementary plants to surround it and help make it the focal point.
28. Patterned Landscape
Combining many different plants and elements is dazzling. Designs like this one utilize all sorts of plants: shrubs, florals, grass, succulents, and cacti. This space is zen-inspired because of its consistent pattern.
29. Rock Garden Features
Create garden beds with varying heights. Add different colors of crushed gravel to each one. Then position plants of various types into each space. Pay careful attention to produce harmony with all the colors that you choose.
30. Greenhouse Thrivers
If you have a greenhouse, why not place your succulent plants inside it? This setup definitely has a unique aesthetic.
31. Rock Garden and Pathways
It's amazing how plants and natural elements can form intricate and intriguing patterns. You'll have a jaw-dropping effect when you design your space like this one. Clean lines and defined spaces.
Here's a post on the types of edging for gardens.
32. Cactus Diversity
There are countless varieties of cactus available for purchase. Choose from a profuse selection in order to create a stunning landscape.
33. Rock Garden
The white gravel rocks create a stark contrast the the vibrant green hues of these succulents and cacti.
34. Desert Mountain Landscape
Use the topography to your advantage whenever you design your landscape. Take advantage of the natural slopes and rocks of your area. With space like this, you can enjoy it from all different angles.
35. Coastal Beauties
What better way to complement your coastal view than by a garden full of cacti and succulents? Stunning view after stunning view!
36. Abundance of Barrel Cacti
Interestingly, the barrel cactus grows leaning toward the southwest. This striking cactus adds a bunch of rich texture to your landscape.
37. A Perfect Desert Home Landscape
The perfect way to complement your southwest-inspired home is through its landscape elements. Using cacti and other drought tolerant trees, shrubs, and plants is the best option for these regions. The long, slender Ocotillo is intriguing with its collecting of spiny stems - use this as a featured element in your landscape.
38. Small but Mighty Succulents
Much like camels, succulents store water within themselves, making them very water efficient. This feature also attributes to giving them their dense, robust appearance.
39. Drought Tolerant Plants
Drought tolerance is key in your cactus and succulent landscape. Strategically place drought tolerant plants in areas that don't have efficient irrigation. Use the varying sizes to your design advantage.
40. Complementary Hues
Making use of complementary hues brings out the full texture and look of your plants.
41. Beauties for Side Gardens
Giant Saguaro cacti and Prickly Pears add depth and character to surrounding buildings.
42. Vibrant Succulents and Blooms
Check out the gorgeous array of multi-colored blooms and succulent foliage. Incorporate different types of plants for a powerful display.
43. Interesting Shapes and Colors
Succulents of the Chick and Hen variety easily reproduce, so you can quickly fill your landscape with their variety.
44. All Different Sizes
The hues and patterns of these succulents almost look fake because of their crisp beauty. A few plants like these will be a great addition to any garden.
45. A Succulent to Fit your Vision
Enjoy long-lasting color and texture when you choose to landscape with succulents. The succulent family is full of color and diversity!
46. Low Maintenance Plants
In a desert landscape, you can plant a plethora of different plants to create an interesting display. All types of colors and textures are breathtaking.
47. Line your Walkway
Help maintain a well-manicured landscape by placing a walkway through it.
48. Mixed Elements
Viewers won't get bored whenever you plant a wide variety of cacti and succulents along with small garden decorations.
49. Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping is a landscape design that requires little to no irrigation and is very easy to maintain. Take advantage of your native, drought-resistant plants.
50. Dynamic Desert Designs
Use the natural movements of your planted cactus to your advantage. The way that they naturally warp will look like a piece of art.
51. Spreading Cactus
The spreading capability of this cactus allows it to take up more space in our landscape.
52. Desert Pathway
If you create a path wide enough, you can enjoy viewing your cactus landscape via bike ride. Giving the path flowing movement will encourage spectators to continue down it.
53. Desert Beds
A display such as this one will require minimal maintenance and watering. It will supplement the surrounding region.
54. Desert Landscaping Ideas
Plant shorter and taller varieties next to each other in order to create a complementary look.
55. Complement your Topography
A sweeping hill is a perfect place to plant your cactus. Their shallow root systems will thrive in this environment.
56. Lose the Lawn
Lose the grass and embrace the gravel! Gravel is key for the success of your cactus landscape.
57. Color is Key
It's amazing how much color a cactus can provide given how little water it requires. Combine different cactus varieties to enjoy an amazing show of color and texture.
58. Southwestern Flair
Evoke the Southwestern feeling with gorgeous, bright cacti.
59. Potted Micro Gardens
Combine a collection of potted succulents and mini cactus into one space or container to manufacture a dramatic effect.
60. The Wonders of Cacti
The versatility of the cactus makes it possible for it to be incorporated into your landscape nearly anywhere.
61. Raised Beds
Raised beds are an excellent option for showing off your cactus landscape. It's a sure way to emphasize the interesting shapes that each plant can form. Install a light fixture above the bed for added enhancement.
62. Take Creative Liberty
Use your creative liberty whenever you plant your preferred cacti and succulents. Utilize every nook and cranny in your landscape and fill it with beautiful plants. Using the natural elements that are already in the space will help enhance the look.
63. Eye-catching Shapes and Textures
Allow your cacti and succulents to spread on their own to induce a natural flow and appearance in the landscape.
64. Bougainvillea Blooms
Partner a prickly pear cactus with the vibrant blooms of a Bougainvillea plant. The textures of these two plants will look wonderful in your landscape.
65. Desert Hues
The hues of this succulent plant complement the desert landscape. Though they blend in with the landscape, it's a beautiful addition.
66. Fill in your Wide Open Spaces
If you have a vast space to fill, consider using large cacti to take up space. Enjoy the stretch of land without over-planting it.
67. Bold Statements
If you feel overwhelmed with knowing how many and which plants to plant, you can never go wrong with using larger cacti. Together, they'll make a striking centerpiece.
68. Poolside Perfection in a Desert Oasis
Create a poolside oasis when you utilize cacti and succulents in your landscape. You'll feel transported into another world surrounded by plants like these!
