Pricing and costs of cactus plants run the gamut. Many factors go into how much a cactus plant costs, such as species, size and its area of origin. The more common types of cacti such as the prickly pear cactus are low cost because they are easier to grow than the saguaro cactus, for example. It is important to pick the right cactus plant to fit not only your decor and intended usage, but also one that will fit your budget as well.

The first step to finding the right cactus plant for the right price is to decide what kind of cacti you want. Think about these suggestions when making a decision:

1. Get your money’s worth with a common prickly pear cactus.

2. Send a fine Christmas cactus to employees and clients this holiday season.

3. Consider looking for succulent plants online to get the best prices on young plants.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find countless uses for a reasonably priced prickly pear cactus

If you are looking to buy cactus plants, yet you aren't sure which type to get, consider the prickly pear cactus. This species of cacti whose scientific name is 'Opuntia,' is one of the most versatile cactus plants available. There are many uses for this type of cactus, including beverages, hair conditioner, stomach problem remedies and dye production. The best part is that the prickly pear cactus is one of the lowest cost cactus plants as well. It's a bargain considering all of its uses, in addition to being a beautiful addition to any office decor.

I recommend: Stop by The Cactus Collection website for prickly pear cacti that range in price from about $3.50 up to around $5.00. Cactusstore.com has a large variety of Opuntia as well. They range in price from around $12 all the way up to about $50.

Give the gift of beauty and color this season with a Christmas cactus

'Tis the season for decorating the office with beautiful Christmas cacti. The plant blooms around December and this type of cactus flower lasts into the New Year. If you are looking to buy cactus online, then this is a great option, because they make beautiful gifts for your loyal customers. The prices for these cacti depend on if you buy it as a gift or if you buy it for your own enjoyment. Delivered plants are more expensive due to gift packaging and delivery costs.

I recommend: The holidays bring Christmas Cacti to the Hirt's Gardens website. These cacti range in price from about $10 up to about $20, depending on the species, size and color. Deliver some holiday cheer with these Christmas cacti from Jackson & Perkins Company that cost from around $30 up to about $40 depending on the size of the plant.

Buy succulent plants like aloe for their many medicinal purposes

One of the most common succulent plants online is the aloe plant. Most people know this close relative of the cactus for its medicinal purposes in addition to its unique look. When you go to buy succulent plants, you will see that the price for the plant depends on its age. Since aloe tends to grow very slowly, buying an older, more established plant will run you considerably more than a younger plant.

I recommend: Find many species and sizes of aloe plants such as this Aloe Dichotoma at Arizona Cactus Sales from around $20 to around $55. Aloe Dichotoma at Shoal Creek Succulents costs around $4.50.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When looking up cactus plant information, be sure to verify whether or not the cactus that you want to purchase is an indoor or outdoor cactus plant and whether or not it will grow well in your region. Believe it or not, not all cactus plants thrive in hot, dry conditions.

Many people do not realize that there is a difference between cactus plants and succulents. While all cacti are part of the succulent family, succulent plants are not always cacti. The primary difference is the presence of an aereole, which is a small patch or bump that has spines growing from it. The aereole is found on all cacti, but not on all succulents.

A cactus plant is generally very easy to take care of. They simply require sunlight, water and a large pot with proper drainage. It is essential that any water put into the pot drains well because leaving a cacti in standing water will cause it to rot and die. Here are some tips on proper cactus care when you need to put a plant in a new pot:

1. Carefully take the cactus plant out of its current pot while wearing leather gloves.

2. Remove the dirt and trim the roots.

3. Use a large pot that will give the cacti room to grow.

4. Place the roots under the soil but make sure to keep all of the leaves above ground.

5. Find a spot for the newly potted plant where it has access to sunlight.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy cactus on line

There are many online nurseries where you can buy cactus plants. These plants come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles, so browse through the different types of plants to see which one you like best.

I recommend: Look through the catalogs at Cactus Limon LLC, Calplants Cactus and Succulents and The Pheonix Desert Nursery..

Purchase succulent plants on line

Most any type of succulent is available for home delivery from online nurseries. Review their catalogs to see the wide array of plants.

I recommend: Buy succulent plants at Kambroo Plants or Big Brook Greenhouse's Simply Succulents. Order a succulent plant as a gift for special occasions from From You Flowers LLC.

Find what you need to help your cactus plants thrive

Cacti have adapted to grow in harsh desert environments, but there are a few things plant owners can do to keep them healthy and growing. Place the plants into a pot that has drainage holes, use soil that is designed specifically for cacti and keep the plants free of harmful pests.

I recommend: Buy pots and soil at The Cactus Patch & Rare Succulent Plants and Books. Use insecticidal soap from Professional Pest Control Products of Pensacola Inc. to keep pests off of the plant.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Put small wooden chips to help absorb water along the bottom of the pot that you are placing your cactus plants in.
• •  Watch out for bugs that can harm your cacti such as spider mites and aphids.
• •  Cacti and succulent plants generally do well in soil that is slightly acidic.

Cactus plants make wonderful additions to your home and office, as well as special gifts. Once you buy cactus plants, you'll need to know how to take care of them. You can even learn how to grow your own cacti. You can find information on cactus plants online.

Some information you may want to research about cacti is information on cactus care and what types of cacti will grow a cactus flower. For beginners, you'll want to learn basic cactus plant information. Use these tips to provide a foundation for your cactus plants education and training.

1. Find out how to grow cactus plants.

2. Determine the proper techniques for caring for your cactus plants.

3. Find out how to take care of cactus ailments.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn how to grow cactus plants

You can start your own garden of cactus plants to give you a beautiful landscape, and even to start your own business of selling cacti. There are many different types of cactus plants you can grow, such as prickly pear cactus and saguaro cactus. Not all climates can handle the different species of cacti, and you'll need to know what type of cactus plants you can successfully grow in your area. Cactus plants have their own unique ways of growing, and you'll need to learn the proper steps for growing your own cacti.

I recommend: San Pedro Fanatic has tips on different growing styles of cactus plants. Desert Gardens provides general information on growing cactus plants.

Learn how to care for cactus plants

Cacti need special care and treatment, unlike other flowers and plants. If you don't take proper care of your cactus plants, you'll lose them. You can find videos and step-by-step instructions on properly caring for cactus plants on the Internet.

I recommend: Expert Village offers training videos on how to cut and pot cactus plants. How Stuff Works offers step-by-step instructions in caring for cactus plants.

Learn how to treat cactus plant ailments

Like any living creature, cactus plants can become sick. You'll want to know the different ailments your cactus plants could get, and how to treat them.

I recommend: The Cactus Doctor provides information on taking care of cactus ailments. CactusGardeningTips.com tells you how to treat cactus plant ailments from insects and diseases.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When shopping for cactus plants, remember that you can always buy cactus online.

Although cactus plants are relatively easy to care for, as they desire a lot of sunlight, little water and proper drainage, customers may still come to you with questions about the plants. You must know the common terminology to be of assistance, as well as to be able to stock your business with the best cacti. Brushing up on cactus plants key terms can help you communicate better with vendors, offer plants that customers desire and keep your business current.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Areole

An areole is a distinctive feature found on a cactus plant, as it distinguishes it from a succulent. An areole can create a spine or glochid, which protect the plant as a matter of self defense. It resembles bumps when viewed up close on the plant.

I recommend: Visit PLANTanswers to learn more about an areole and its purpose.

Glochid

A glochid is a tiny, hair-like barbed spine found in the center of an areole. If a person touches a cactus plant, the glochid is the sharp part of the plant that lodges in the skin.

I recommend: See a highly magnified photo of a cactus glochid at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Rib

A cactus rib is a ridge that forms on the outside of certain cacti species. A rib oftentimes expands when storing water for later use. When the cactus needs the water, the rib sends it down to the roots.

I recommend: Check out Cactus Museum to learn more about how a rib functions in relation to the stem on cactus plants.

Spine

The spine is a sharp, pointed leaf found in a cactus areole. The spine can vary in size, depending upon the species of plant. A central spine is heavier, colored and hooked, while a radial spine is straight and scattered over the plant.

I recommend: Visit the University of Texas-Austin to learn more about the spine.

Xerophyte

A xerophyte plant is one that is able to survive an environment that does not have much water or moisture. Plants such as cacti and succulents are examples of xerophyte plants.

I recommend: Visit DesertUSA.com to learn more about xerophyte plants.

Succulent

A succulent is a water-retaining plant adapted to arid climate and soil conditions. It is able to do this by storing water in its stem, leaves and roots. It's important to remember that cactus plants are members of the succulent family, but not all succulents are cacti.

I recommend: Check out the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum for more information on succulent plants.