Poot’s Cactus Nursery celebrates 30 years of cultivating cacti in the Central Valley

Over decades, the Poots have transformed a passion for cacti into a thriving family business.

Though Poot’s Cactus Nursery approaches its 30th anniversary, Bill Poot’s passion for cacti began 49 years ago, sparked by a reluctant visit to a co-worker’s collection. Poot previously worked shipping cucumbers and tomatoes from a farm.

“Bill, I want to show you my cactus collection,” Poot heard repeatedly before he finally relented. On the third request, Poot’s truck refused to start so he shared a ride with said co-worker and had no more excuses. He was stunned by the variety and beauty of the cacti and before he knew it, he was building a collection of his own.

The nursery began with a single greenhouse and gradually expanded to its current size, with the property providing almost an acre of space. While Roelyn Poot, Bill’s wife, cannot provide an exact count, she confidently estimated the shop holds several hundred thousand plants and hundreds of different species.

When the Poots discovered their perfect place, they knew it immediately. It had the space they wanted for their future nursery. On the same day they visited the house that accompanies the nursery, they signed the papers, Roelyn Poot said.

What’s For Sale

The nursery boasts many rows of plants available for purchase, along with a wide selection of pots. Bill Poot even crafts his own cinder-block pots for sale.

The plants are priced to fit every budget, ensuring something for everyone. The plants start at $3 and depending on size and rarity, can reach $100 or more.

The gift shop also offers plant-themed stickers, T-shirts and earrings.

The Poots also offer their own specialty soil that has “all the right ingredients,” Roelyn Poot said. The recipe is a family secret that draws in customers from over three hours away, she said.

Poot’s merchandise, soil and select plants can be purchased in-store or online at pootscactusnursery.com/shop.

Exclusive Cactus Sanctuary

Aside from the available plants, Bill Poot has his own collection separate from the store.

“It fulfills his dream of having an indoor desert,” Roelyn Poot said.

Bill Poot’s vast collection of over one hundred cacti is a symbol of the Poots’ love for their plants. They spend all day caring for the plants and ensuring they’re properly taken care of, making sure they’re getting the perfect amount of sun and water and removing any dead pieces from the plant.

Their favorite of the collection is the Uebelmannia pectinifera, a deep purple-colored cactus. The first time Roelyn Poot saw the plant, her mouth dropped, she said. The crown-shaped cactus quickly became the couple’s favorite.

Family Roles

Day-to-day duties look different for every member of the Poot family. Roelyn Poot is often helping customers check out, answering questions and fulfilling online orders. Bill Poot spends his days transplanting cacti, cutting off cactus offspring from the “mother” plant and repotting them.

Roelyn Poot can always be found with a pencil in her hand, a simple tool she uses to check the dampness of the soil. Similar to sticking a toothpick in a cake, if the pencil comes out damp with soil she knows to leave it alone.

Bryan Poot, their eldest son, is usually found planting, while their daughter, Brenda Kramer, manages the gift shop. Their youngest son, Billy Poot, handles the electrical work.

Plant Care Tips

Roelyn Poot is filled with tips and tricks to keep plants thriving.

Succulents prefer the morning sun, while cacti are more picky. Some cacti prefer south-facing sun with higher exposure, although smaller cacti cannot take such extreme amounts of sun, she said.

She also advises customers to look where they’re shopping. If a plant is under a cover, it can’t be taken home into full sun right away. It needs to slowly acclimate to the lighting.

30th Anniversary Events

To celebrate the nursery’s 30th anniversary, the Poots have lined up a summer of events leading up to the September celebration.

Every Wednesday until Sept. 17, they’ll host an Instagram “flash sale” with rare plants.

July 20 is Poot’s “Customer Appreciation Day,” when customers can meet the Poot family, win special prizes and be treated to a free lunch.

Bill Poot will host a plant workshop on Aug. 10, demonstrating how to transplant, propagate and graft plants.

To conclude the festivities, their fourth annual “Club Cactaceae” event will be held Sept. 7. Pop-ups from other small businesses, food trucks, face painting, private tours and a rare plant silent auction will conclude the summer celebrations.

Poot’s Cactus is at 17229 E. Highway 120 in Ripon.

For more information, visit pootscactusnursery.com or @poots_cactus_nursery on Instagram.