Cactus & Succulent Display - Botanical Gardens

Succulents are plants that retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. Cacti are one family of succulents, mostly confined to the Americas, whereas succulents have a near-global distribution.

Cacti and succulents are perfect for xeriscaping (landscaping that reduces the need for supplemental water from irrigation) as they are drought hardy. Although many people associate them with the hot, dry deserts, some cacti and succulents are frost tolerant and can be grown outdoors in Christchurch’s Winter.

In cultivation, cacti have been extensively hybridised to form new shapes, colours, growth patterns, and flower colours. Variegation, cresting and monstrose (deformed) growth are often seen as desirable by collectors. Some of these cacti, such as moon cactus, only survive when grafted to another cactus.

Although there are no cacti in New Zealand, there are native succulents such as ice plant. Many of our alpine species show succulent traits (e.g., raoulia, speargrass) which make them good choices for xeriscaping.

Come along and see some of the cacti and succulents from local collections. And while at the Gardens, check out Garrick House, a large collection of cacti and succulents donated to the Gardens in the late 1950s.