Plant mom Shara Williams-Lue finds hope with Cacti Corner Ja
Published:Saturday | November 1, 2025 | 12:05 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
With an innate love for gardenscapes and greenery, Shara Williams-Lue admits that planting wasn’t always second nature. Rooted in faith, she took the leap and created her cactus corner.
She told Saturday Living, “I didn’t start out with a green thumb. It was a real learning curve because I had zero experience when I began growing cacti. But I’ve always been curious and willing to learn, so I started researching, experimenting, and slowly growing in confidence.”
Cacti, according to Williams-Lue, are both low-maintenance and resilient plants. For her, they grow as proud and powerful reminders that strength can thrive even in harsh conditions. “The main species I care for is the Spiny Pincushion cactus, which produces “pups” that can be replanted; a living symbol of growth and multiplication,” she added.
That process holds an even deeper personal significance for her: “During a season of pregnancy loss, nurturing those cacti gave me comfort and hope. Each new baby cactus reminded me that life continues, and that beauty can still emerge even in difficult seasons. Cacti are so much more than decor. They’re daily lessons in persistence, faith, and healing.”
As a cactus mom of four years, she highlighted that the role has provided more patience than she could have imagined. “Just as my cacti have grown, I’ve grown too. Becoming a cactus mom has made me more patient, observant, and gentle. Cacti don’t rush, and they’ve taught me to slow down. Caring for them has helped me manage stress, giving me quiet moments of reflection, prayer, and gratitude,” she added.
BEST MEMORIES
Some of Williams-Lue’s childhood memories were at Hope Botanical Gardens in St Andrew, where her mother hosted her birthday parties and she was mesmerised by the surrounding beauty.
“My mother [also] filled our yard with all kinds of plants, including a stunning rock garden made of stones and hardy ornamentals that she cared for faithfully. Some were gifts while others she collected during our many adventures and drive-outs,” she shared.
For the young Williams-Lue, that garden was more than a house feature, “This was where we sat to admire the beauty of nature, share conversations, or take photos with friends and family. I mostly thought it looked like hard work watching my mom water and weed daily. But those experiences unknowingly planted the seed of appreciation in me and shaped my love for nature.
As she grew, so, too, did her love for nature, “My husband Andrew and I enjoy taking drives across parishes, finding little hidden spots to sip coffee, enjoy good food, and just soak in all that nature has to offer. Holywell has become one of our favourite escapes, as well as Blue Ridge Restaurant and Cottages, overlooking the Blue Mountains, where we got engaged.”
The cacti adventure eventually began at their first home, when the married duo found themselves nursing a forgotten pot of cacti back to health.
“We saw it as a gift from God in the middle of the pandemic,” she revealed, adding, “The cacti were neglected, but they were still standing strong. It was their resilience that spoke to me. I pulled them apart, repotted them, and began nurturing them back to life,” she explained.
Nearly 30 of those original cacti have matured, producing hundreds of pups that Williams-Lue gifted to others. This inspired her to start Cactus Corner Jamaica.
Faith isn’t just a part of her life, it is the very foundation of it. For this reason, many of the pots feature Bible verses that serve as reminders of God’s presence, encouragement, and love.
“I truly believe that scripture has a way of meeting us right where we are, whether we’re celebrating, grieving, or simply needing a word of strength for the day,” she said, noting that the pots can also be personalised.
With a bachelor’s degree in psychology from The University of the West Indies, Mona, Williams-Lue put her researching skills to good use, looking up best conditions, proper soil mix and sunlight needs.
COMMON CACTI MISTAKES
The most common mistake first-time plant parents make with cacti is overwatering. “People treat cacti like regular houseplants, but they actually need much less water. Too much moisture can quickly lead to root rot,” she explained.
Another common mistake is placing cacti in low-light areas, where they don’t get enough sunlight to survive. Like any living thing, a cactus needs light and care to thrive, “The fix is simple: water sparingly, only when the soil is completely dry, and keep it in a bright, airy spot with plenty of natural light. Once you get those two basics right, light and water, it will reward you with steady, healthy growth.”
With a mature Spiny Pincushion cactus only blooming once a year, usually around Easter, waiting for those flowers is living proof to Williams-Lue that some of the best things in life take time.
“Watching pups mature into plants, over two to three years, they grow into fully independent cacti that can reach about 12–15 inches tall, is a sight to behold. That slow, steady growth shows that big things often start small and, with faith and care, life always finds a way to flourish,” she said.
Aside from her cacti interactions, this plant mom enjoys the connections she has made with others. The joy, she asserted, isn’t just in growing them but in seeing how much they mean to the recipients. As she prepares and re-pots each cactus, she prays and blesses those who will receive them.
For those interested in starting their cacti planting, Williams-Lue has simple advice: “Patience is just as important as sunlight and water. Growth takes time, and sometimes it happens quietly beneath the surface. Be consistent, but also learn from your cactus. It has so much to teach you.”