• A flowering cactus is a gift that brings color to the garden.cactus im jardin de cactus image by Karsten Thiele from Fotolia.com
  
  Though cacti and succulents are known for being easy to grow, a cactus garden provides a set of maintenance challenges. Purchasing a gift for a cactus garden or gardener may also seem like a challenge; however, there are many opportunities for gift giving if you consider the practical and aesthetic needs of a cactus garden.
  
  

Tools

• Pruning and caring for cactus requires a few special instruments. A cactus gardener will appreciate having the right tools to tend their prickly landscape. Cactus saws trim medium to large cactus, such as barrel cactus or succulents like agave. Use a cactus whacker for detailed pruning chores. Removing garden debris from around cactus can be difficult to do by hand. The cactus grabber has grasping fingers at one end to safely extend a gardener's reach or stabilize plants for pruning. To remove needles from a cactus or to handle small plants for repotting, a cactus gripper is the best tool. Another useful gift for someone growing a cactus garden is a pair of heavy-duty, rubberized gloves.
  
  

Planters

• Many cactus gardens include a display of small specimens in planters. The Texas A&M University's Department of Horticultural Sciences reports that some types of succulents and cactus, such as crassulas, peperomias, kalanchoe and aloe vera do well as potted plants. A gift of good-quality terra cotta pots is sure to be appreciated. If the gardener you are purchasing a gift for has a Southwestern south of the border theme to their cactus garden, consider giving colorful Talavera pottery.
  
  

Plants

• Many cactus gardeners are also enthusiastic plants collectors. There are many unusual specimens of cactus and succulents that would be appreciated for adding interest to a new or established cactus garden. Lithops are small cacti that look like rocks. In fact, TAMU states that their name means "living rock" in Greek. The eiphyllum, or orchid cactus, produces a large fragrant bloom and the ponytail palm grows long, flowing leaves that create a dramatic look.