The Complete Book of Cacti & Succulents

by Terry Hewitt

This gorgeous guide features the history, cultivation, and imaginative use of more than 300 succulent and cacti plants in comprehensive, easy-to-follow illustrated stages. The Complete Book of Cacti & Succulents  is a feast of in-depth information and over 600 eye-catching photographs. This book has everything you need to make your plant arrangements healthy and spectacular no matter what kinds of succulents you use. Using this guide, you will quickly discover just how bold and creative you can be with these arrangements, and understand why so many decorators can recommend succulents for almost every occasion. 

Whether you're just thinking about decorating with these beautiful, easy-to-care-for plants, or you've been a sucker for succulents for a good long while, this book contains ideas and inspiration for beginners and masters alike. Through step-by-step full-color sequences and expert guidance, this book gives in-depth information on the history, cultivation, and creative use of hundreds of strikingly handsome specimens of cacti and provides practical information for use in both house and garden.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Reference, Plants, Nature, Horticulture

176 pages, Paperback

First published October 7, 1993

Reviews

[Kim M · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This is a great book with lots of information and pretty pictures of plants. It's extremely useful for getting you acquainted with the types of cacti and succulents that are available, and it could also help you identify mysterious plants that you may have! I also really enjoyed the introductory section with its information about the anatomy of succulents/cacti, their natural habitats, the history of their distribution and use, etc.

However, the reason I bought this book was to learn how to better care for my plants. There is a section on cultivation at the end, but it is very general. Every plant type has different needs when it comes to light, water, and food, and you're not going to get these specifics from a generalized all-purpose discussion on basic cultivation. Basically, I would've preferred it if this book had more information about the cultivation of each type of plant as well as some troubleshooting information for plants that aren't doing so well.

Still not a bad book. But make sure you know what it is you're getting. The subtitle "The definitive and practical guide to cultivation, propagation, and display" is a little misleading.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The used book store comes through for me again! I've got a little cactus garden and this is a great basic reference book for people who want to know the ABCs of keeping cacti and other succulents indoors. By no means comprehensive on species, it is broken up by genus, with an average of one page for each genus it covers. It offers several photos with each genus page to help you ID cacti you bought/received without tags, and has general information on what each genus generally prefers, as well as a sampling of some of the more common species in each genus. It also includes basic guidelines on subjects like transplanting spiny cacti and basic information on such topics as diseases/pests that affect cacti. Recommended for others who want a basic primer and reference book on caring for cacti and succulents indoors.

[Sher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is divided pretty equally between information of cacti and succulents. It covers the anatomy and history of cultivation of these plants. Covers different leaf shapes , flower colors, container ideas, a detailed illustrated section on care and cultivation and a plant catalog. Pictures are exceptional. I particularly found the anatomy section helpful, because it illustrates where the flowers come from and identifies rootlets for starting from cuttings. A terrific book about cacti and succulents.

[Nikki Paxton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nowhere near complete! Good info but complete is a huge stretch.

[Xilks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Redundant and limits accessibility. Let me elaborate.

How many times does the reader need to be told that cacti and succulents don't like cold or damp? Once at the start of the book and exceptions would be noted? No. How about every time for every plant mentioned in the book. Yep. You can only say that so many ways.

Considering this is a book directed at hobbyists, and I would assume to bring NEW hobbyists into the cacti/succulent area of gardening and maintenance , I'd think you would include MORE OF THE NON-SCIENTIFIC NAMES of the plants. Not just the occasional here or there. Just a thought.

Informative. Long. Slow. Strap in, it's a trudge.

(Has nice pictures.)

[Krista Marson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Living in Phoenix, AZ as I do, I burn through quite a few cacti related books. This one was surprisingly decent. I dare say that it was one of the better ones that I've read recently. Pictures were fantastic and the write ups were inspiring enough that I went to the internet quite a few times to learn more about certain species. Climate change might make more of us appreciate drought tolerant plants, and this book is a good place to start learning about some of the most popular cacti and succulents.

[Cynthia Dumarin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely photos, but though there was a lot of good information, there was very little practical advice about how to keep the various individual species. Obviously it's impossible to cover everything in one book. This one was a very fine overview of cacti and succulents, but although there was a very good practical section at the back of the book, be forewarned, if you are a beginner looking for info on how to care for a particular plant, you will need more than this book covers.

[Kenneth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very comprehensive and helpful.
The section o cacti was really awakening. Oh, the beauty and splendor of what can grow in the hostile dry, deserts. It is like a walk through creation, the glory going to our Grand Creator- Jehovah.
The part on succulents moves me o possibly try to incorporate some of the most hardy ones into my rock garden here in Pennsylvania this spring.
The book closes with a very helpful section on the care and cultivation of both cacti and succulents.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! Yes, it's full of pretty pictures but take the time to read it cover to cover. If you are starting to build your cactus/succulent collection and find yourself asking, "What the hell is that thing called?!", this is the book for you.

[Lisa Vance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for a beginner with all the common succulents and cacti detailed with nice clear pictures for identification.

[lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love cacti & succulents. There is such a variety and each one is so unique and beautiful and they can withstand so much. I want all the succulents. Need more cacti though.

[Carole Cornell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good resource for growing succulents and I learned a lot. Great photos too.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful info on maintenance and care. The plant catalog is well laid-out, organized by genus with striking reference pictures. Not a comprehensive identification aid; a susbset of species are presented for each genus.

[Ang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it years ago in somewhere library, unfortunately, the book was destroyed. Would love to have one since I found this book is very useful for cacti lovers

[Guido Vicentini · Rating 5 out of 5]

ottimo, una immersione nel mondo delle piante grasse; immagini di grande effetto. Peccato, troppo breve.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

plenty of good photos, history, and botanical descriptions. Cultivation and propagation.

[Bizz · Rating 3 out of 5]

i can't read this book a good

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative!

[Cecelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I appreciated the most about this book was the biology and anatomy section that helps me understand these plants way better. The pictures are really great.

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very informative book, easy to read and understand. So much information that one would want and need.