Mexican Hat Cactus Nursery

The images on this page will give you a thumbnail view of what you can expect to see if you visit our nursery. Let me assure you that what you will see here is not your typical commercial nursery. Initally we started our business as a wholesale cactus and succulent grower. The business eventually evolved into what it is today. We still produce plants for retail nurseries, however in smaller quantities than we have in the past and we are now open to the public by APPOINTMENT ONLY .

When you visit the nursery you will see how the plants are grown from seeds and cuttings to specimen size plants. There are two houses that have plants that you may look at but are NOT for sale. These houses contain stock plants, plants that are being rooted, seedlings that are too small to offer for sale and occasionally a plant that we think may be sick and it is in quarantine.

We are happy to answer any questions regarding our growing techniques or cactus propagation in general. If you are really interested in cactus culture we suggest that you plan to attend a class that we teach each year for the University of California Riverside Extension Service.

We currently have about half an acre of land that is covered with nine small cold frame or hoop houses and a number of exposed beds and growing areas. The hoop houses, that we refer to as green houses, are covered with shade cloth to facilitate the growth of smaller tender plants. During the winter rainy season we cover the houses with plastic both to protect the plants from excessive water and to facilitate solar gain in the winter. Our climate enables to grow the plants year around in the hoop houses that are not artificially heated.

We suggest that when you come you bring a camera as you may see something that is worth photographing.

Please wear shoes, not sandals. Remember we have been growing cactus at this location for more than 30 years and most of them have very sharp thorns. The thorns occasionally fall onto the ground and without shoes your visit could be painful.

Please note that all plants on this site are 'representative plants'. We have grown them all but the plant that you are looking on the site may have been sold, moved or otherwise deemed not available.

This is the inside of one of the hoop houses where we grow cactus in 4 1/2 inch pots.

Succulent house

Maximum sun assures that the plants will be acclimated to harsh growing conditions.

More greenhouse pictures