Frequently asked questions

How to get my cactus to thrive?

This is a complex question which has no easy answer.  Different cacti and succulents require different approaches to cultivation and may have different requirements as to how much water and light they need, type of potting mix, temperature and so on. There is a good bit of information on our web page and maybe you can find an answer here. Do not be afraid to contact us if you have questions not answered on here.

My cactus died. Why?

As above, this is often a tricky question to answer. Usually when a cactus dies it is because of root rot, but it can also be because it was exposed to too low temperatures or overheating. It could also be because of pests or fungal infections. On kind of rot will often look much the same as another kind. It is also often the case that root rot might set in a long time before you notice something wrong, which makes it all the more difficult to diagnose. 

When will my seeds/plants arrive?

We try to ship orders as soon as possible after an order is placed. Seed orders only are usually shipped without delay. Plant orders (or seed + plant orders) may need a little more time to prepare before shipping. This is mainly because plants are shipped bare root and in case they were recently watered they may need up to a few days to dry sufficiently before shipping. Most orders will be shipped within 3-5 working days. 

International shipping?

We can ship world wide but shipping costs can vary and be expensive. Please contact us for questions about shipping internationally. We ship discreetely. Plants spending weeks stuck in customs is not something anyone wants.

Which potting mix should I use?

At CactusGlobe we almost exclusively use inorganic potting mix. Growing these plants in a Northern European climate, there is always a risk of root rot. Inorganic potting mixes greatly help alleviate this problem. Also check out our blog post on potting mix for lots of info!

What kind of pot should I use?

Unglazed clay pots can be really attractive and be a real statement in any collection. Or a hollowed out garden gnome if that's your thing. We more or less only use black, square plastic pots. This is cost effective and space efficient, but maybe not super attractive. The most important thing is that there are drainage holes in whatever pot or container you use.

Where should I put my cactus?

Put it wherever you can admire it. Preferably in a well lit windowsill or under good grow lights if indoors. If you have a suitable place outdoors (such as a greenhouse or under a glass or plastic roof) that is perhaps the best. If placed outside in direct sunlight you should take care to maybe give some shade depending on the species.

I'm not happy with the product I received. What do I do?

As a general rule we don't accept returns on plants. Plants are living things and travelling via mail is not their preferred way of hanging out. After unpotting and shipping and a following return, they may have gone for weeks without water or light. While most species can survive this, they may need quite some time to readjust (and in some cases may never get back to what they were). If any of the plants you received do not meet your expectations or if there is anything wrong with them we sincerely hope that you will contact us and let us find a satisfactory solution together.

We can take unopened seed packets in return, but you will have to cover the shipping costs and any risks involved with shipping. A refund in this case will not be issued until we receive the returned goods and are satisfied that they are intact. We do not accept returns based on poor germination. We regularly test seeds to check their viability, but it's impossible for us to know what your conditions are like and whether you have given the seeds a good environment for germination or not. Some seeds take longer to germinate than others, some require light or no light, some require more or less humidity or higher or lower temperatures. Some want day-night temperature cycles. Some species also just germinate less willingly than others.

We produce all our plants and seeds ourselves and are proud of what we do. Therefore we also want you to be happy with the products you buy. We  want to have a good dialogue with all our customers and will help you as much as we can! Please do not hesitate to contact us.

I'm super happy with the product I received. What do I do?

That's awesome! You just got a plant that you can enjoy for years and years, or you've just become the proud parent of some tiny green lumps. Boast to your friends and family and start planning for where to put your next cactus!

I still have questions. What do I do?

There's lots of info on our web pages about growing cacti and other cactus and succulent related stuff. Have you had a good look around? If you still have questions please don't hesitate to contact us and we'll reply as soon as possible.