Until now, we loved Mandy Moore for her insightful filmography, but after taking a virtual tour of her mid-century modern home in Pasadena, we can safely say that her sense of style is evident not only on the red carpet, but also in the corners of her beautiful abode.
The house itself is artfully decorated and beautifully laid out, but it’s the living room that really caught our attention. The actresses’ floor-to-ceiling windows overlook a beautiful cactus garden. Rather than leaving the space barren, Mandy made the most of this small piece of land and added a ton of visual interest to her room in the form of this vibrant green backdrop.
We love the idea of a cactus garden to bring some retro chic into your home and garden. And to help you on your cactus gardening journey, we asked our experts to give us their best tips on how to bring this trend home.
What grows in Mandy Moore’s picturesque cactus bed?
(Image credit: Realtor.com)
As you can see from the pictures on Realtor.com, Mandy Moore’s cactus garden next to her living room appears to have a variety of large, spiky plants. While we can’t say for sure, we’ve gotten a glimpse of the possible cactus mix that comes to life in the star’s home.
According to gardening expert Tony O’Neill, Mandy’s cactus bed appears to contain a combination of different varieties, creating a stunning, layered effect. Inspired by Mediterranean garden ideas, Tony recommends planting Cereus peruvianus, for example. “Also known as Peruvian apple cactus, this variety is known for its tall, columnar structure,” he notes. “I also recommend planting Echinocactus grusonii, or golden barrel cactus, recognizable by its round, spiky shape and golden yellow color.”
On the other hand, plant expert Michael Clarke tells us that Mandy is most likely growing the variegated variety of Euphorbia ammak in her cactus garden. “Euphorbia Ammak is easy to grow and requires very little water and care,” he explains. “And you can grow it in a container from the local nursery or propagate it from stem cuttings.”
In our opinion, these expert-recommended cactus species are all great options to grow, especially if you live in a dry climate and are looking for drought-resistant plants that won’t die.
Price: $40
Height: 18 inch
Golden Barrel Cactus Seeds
Price: $9
Crowd: 25 seeds
How do you care for your cactus garden?
A cactus garden only looks as good as it is healthy. And these robust plants don’t need much care, but a little love goes a long way.
Michael tells us that these cacti are easy to care for and require water once a week in spring and summer and virtually no additional water in winter, during the rainy season.
“They do best in well-drained soil, similar to cactus/succulent mixes,” he says. “And you should let the soil dry out between waterings so excess moisture doesn’t linger in the root zone for long periods of time.”
To give your cacti an extra boost, Tony also recommends treating them to a dose of organic fertilizer when needed.
Not only are cacti suitable for outdoor use, they are also some of the easiest plants to care for indoors. Whether you grow them outdoors like Mandy or in pots at home, follow these clever tips to keep your plants in tip-top health.
Price: $14
Crowd: 16 ounces
Price: $22
Crowd: 8 dry quarts
Price: $16
Crowd: Pack of 2
There’s nothing better than plants that are also decorative, and cacti are some of the best when it comes to adding visual interest to a room. Plus, they’re totally spoiled, so now’s the best time to bring them home.
How do you propagate cacti by cuttings?
To propagate cacti yourself, Michael recommends taking a cutting at least 15 cm long from another plant, letting it dry for a few days until the cut end is completely callused, and then planting it in the soil.
“When planting Euphorbia Ammak, make sure the soil is well-drained and does not allow water to accumulate for long periods of time,” he says. “Mixing sand into the soil mix also helps.”
How long do cacti live?
If you plant these beautiful cacti, your garden will benefit from their fruits for many years to come. They have been proven to live for over 200 years, making them a valuable investment in your garden.
As long as you take good care of them and give them some affection from time to time, they will bring joy for generations to come.
