Cactus Garden

I put this one off wayyy too long. Gosh, I am full of regret. I just never bought it because because I couldn’t ever get a deal on it. I finally bit the bullet and bought it at full price. Ordered through the LV website. The presentation was incredible. Nice step up from the fancy paper boxes of Creed or the sleek and simple Tom Ford boxes. The orange LV box was tied shut, opening from a magnetic closure to reveal an insert for the fragrance box and another slot for two samples. It was so well-thought out. Then the box the bottle itself was in was a box in a box, and it was an actually useful one if you were going to reuse it during transport. Not some big bulky thing. The bottle is a beautiful glass, nice sprayer, and a high quality magnetic cap. While everything felt like a moment where you felt like you got what you paid for, I wonder how much of the price accounts for this over-the-top presentation. This fragrance to me is comfort in a bottle. It’s clean, so clean, perfectly refreshingly fresh, and it just feels “right.” I’ve got a decent collection, and not many fragrances give the “wow” factor like this one. There’s no wondering “is someone going to think this stinks” when you’re deciding what to spray on in the morning. That’s because NO ONE is going to find this bad boy off-putting. It’s all things pleasant, balanced, and not overly complicated. Fragrance enthusiasts get caught up in niche so much that I feel like they can lose sight of what actually smells good instead of just being a crass olfactory artistic statement. I can’t recommend this enough! This will not be my last LV purchase!

I love this fresh and non-offensive fragrance from LV. It’s a different type of clean smell, not really soapy. It does have a bit of a green vibe, although not anything like Green Irish Tweed. I’ve been intrigued by it since it came out and always take every opportunity to experience it again every time I’m near a LV store, which admittedly isn’t often. I associate this scent with the island of Mallorca, a Mediterranean gem a ways off the coast of Spain. I visited Summer 2019, and I got a tester card of this that I placed in my passport. For the rest of the trip, I kept burying my nose in my passport! I can’t name anything that smells quite like it, but it feels impeccable in a white shirt with an extra button unbuttoned while the breeze wafts this gorgeous scent all around. Longevity isn’t incredible for a parfum, but it is pretty decent—better than some and still perhaps slightly above average. Sillage is moderate to average. It’s unisex, but probably best suits a younger man. That said, someone of any age and gender could pull this off. It’s very universal, agreeable, and so easy to wear. Year-round, but he’s run Summer or warmer weather. Big fan of this one and will eventually buy a full bottle. The quality seems around on par with Tom Ford, and the price per mL (at full price) is significantly less than TF’s current prices. If I had to consider a small collection (less than 10 bottles), I’d probably put this one in there.

An underdog in the LV lineup! It's nice, it's clean, it's green, it's quite a bit different from the popular releases and the bottle is simply beautiful! I love the name of it, not only does it give a good impression of what to expect but it's also just a very nice, friendly, holiday-ish fragrance. I'd imagine wearing this on a summer vacation, in a fancy garden with pretty flowers, wearing something expensive, yet understated because I don't need to show off and just instead enjoy my vacation the way I want to. It's not overly fresh or green, it's very well rounded and balanced, just like pretty much any LV I've smelled so far. The only thing where this lacks in my opinion, is performance. It doesn't last at all. It doesn't really develop into a skin scent because it is just that from the very beginning. That's not always a bad thing if you want a light, summery fragrance, however the reason I'm mentioning this is because of the price, and for this kind of performance it is quite steep, even if you somehow get an empty bottle and only have to pay the refill price. I still love it and want it in my collection but then again, there are other LVs I'd probably take over this one, with better longevity and for the same amount of money. Looking at you, Imagination and Nouveau Monde.

It smells so FRESH it reminds me of my friend in ARIZONA. It's perfect for a girls night out. She actually owns this perfume but gifted me her small sample when she bought her third LV bag. It smells amazing! It reminds me so much of her and the times we would go horseback riding with such amazing views of the mountains, eating prickly pears and drinking RANCH water. Wearing our COWBOY boots, like always. (miss that) A soft citrus, super long lasting, one spray goes a long way. If you have this perfume you probably have great taste. I LOVE IT. I actually didn't even want to spray it because I know it's discontinued. I did it just for this review. But I would definitely purchase a full bottle if it ever comes back. If I had to describe it, I would say it's Katy's essay. Word for word. Her last sentence being, "A place where they can feel what I feel when I'm riding Flicka, because when we're riding all I feel is...free." Total horse girl vibes, but also dressy girls night out. A perfume you would pack for your beach vacation. Dressed up or down, day or night, beautiful either way. Not girly at all, guys can wear it too. BISOUS

I’m convinced this is the best perfume in my collection at the moment. Yes, the fact that it is discontinued and so valuable right now does add to its special appeal, but it’s something I would buy over and over again if it was available. In a collection of over 150 perfumes, I find myself gravitating towards this one when I need a pick-me-up. It’s so refreshing and invigorating and my heart is so happy when I catch whiffs of this beautiful green scent throughout the day. This is simply a form of aroma therapy. Picture yourself at an extremely expensive spa like the Six Senses Douro Valley in Portugal during the Summer. You are sipping a soothing cup of herbal tea and your legs are dangling in cool refreshing water, while you look out at a backdrop of the most beautiful trees and greenery. Pure moments of peace and tranquility. That’s how I feel about this perfume. I will forever be grateful to own a bottle of this and I recommend you to sample it if you get the chance. A perfect score of 10 out of 10 for me.

Cactus Garden is a unique take on a citrus fragrance. The mate and lemongrass combine to give it a somewhat herbal, earthy vibe that I really enjoy. It’s unlike anything I’ve smelled before. I find it to be a wonderful alternative to other aquatic/citrus fragrances that are all the rage. I spray this one in the summer months and it’s so distinctive and fresh. I just love it. Other reviewers have commented on the lack of performance, and for me that’s not an issue at all. Cactus Garden is one of those fragrances I easily pick up in the air around me for hours. And if I get some on my clothing, I can smell it well into the evening after an early morning spray. Rumor has it that Louis Vuitton discontinued/will soon discontinue this one. That’s a shame. It may not be to everyone’s liking, but for me, Cactus Garden’s uniqueness makes it a cut above most of the other scents on their roster.

I had this for more than 14 months now, and after almost depleting the whole bottle, I will definitely get a refill. When I first visited the boutique, the three bottles which consists of Afternoon Swim, Cactus Garden, and Sun Song caught my attention. I've heard favourable reviews of Afternoon Swim, but after trying out all three, Cactus Garden stood out. The scent is fresh, with a strong lemongrass hit followed by a hint of bergamot. Longevity could be described as very long lasting to eternal, and it definitely has a strong projection at the start while it slowly tones down throughout the day. It's definitely my signature scent at this moment, and it is especially perfect for the climate that I am in. It's best to get a sample from the boutique before buying as the price is pretty steep after the recent increase in price for Louis Vuitton.

I made an account just to post this review. I own about 18 bottles and have tried many a fragrance. None do it for me like Cactus Garden does. I’m not embarrassed to admit that when i tried it in-store I actually had to hold back tears. I wish it were an exaggeration. The incense, lemongrass and maté work together in a unique way that evokes heat and hydration. It smells green, but not in an overly citric or tangy way. I can’t tell if the incense allows the fragrance to lean more fruity or floral. Sillage and projection are fantastic for what could be considered a citrus scent. Lasts 6 hours on me and has some serious reach for 1-2 hours. Smelling this reminds me of road trips with my mom to Vegas and Palm Springs. I think of drinking a soda while walking around in the sand off the side of the highway, stretching my legs.

I like this quite a bit, but it's definitely not mind-blowing as some people make it out to be. It is a beautiful light fresh scent. Yes, lemongrass note is distinct and unique, and it is not just a top note, to me it lasts throughout, does not disappear. Very pretty lemongrassey drydown with something powdery as well. I don't smell the mate, unfortunately. Overall, a very pleasant summery scent, somewhat unique. I will add it to my rotation of perfumes I wear to work, along with Wild Bluebell, Jardins Sur Le Nil and Genmaicha by Rag & Bone. The price is certainly not justified. Now that it's discontinued, it's being sold for outrageous prices on sites like ebay. Don't do it. If you want to experience it, you can find decants for a very decent price on Facebook or Reddit, from trusted sellers. Also, beware of fakes.

I AM SO INCREDIBLY ANNOYED AND PISSED THAT THEY DISCONTINUED THIS SCENT. This is one of my favorite fresh scents that I have ever smelled to this day. Granted, this beginning smell is 2000% a combination between lemongrass and bergamot. It's a super simple scent, but it is amazing for the day time during the summer/spring. It smells exactly like a hotel that I stayed at in Pheonix and now I completely tie the southwest with this smell. This would be an instant buy for me if it wasn't $1000+ on ebay/other resell sites because it was discontinued. Also, for how fresh it is: IT LASTS. I'm talking like 6 hours of great sillage before it dies. If ANYONE has a bottle, even if it's only like 30% full: please personal message me because I want to buy it.

Definitely a different type of "green" fragrance to me. It starts off smelling of an aloe plant, with citrus. Personally, I LOVE IT. I have had a few people try it and say they feel like an old lady wearing it and they weren't as impressed with it as I am. I have completely lost trust in those people and no longer care to accept any of their opinions on anything. This fragrance is great, and I will keep wearing it until I can no longer get a replacement bottle. Is this a "banger", No....But it is definitely enjoyable and a winner. I really do love it. The dry-down to me becomes this green plant, soapy mix that I can't get enough of. You will just smell clean and fresh wearing this. Easily 9.3/10

I dont know why this one got the score of only 3.9/5. its just so good, almost reach the amazing point for me. I have been to the real cactus garden many times but i cant smell a thing. However, this perfume have made up to its name. If cactus garden have a smell, i think it will be something like this. Its unique and blended very well. Considering to buy a FB but due to the price point and the smell, also the point that i also loved some others perfume from LV house. I will have to choose to buy only 2-3 from this house coz the price is a bit high. But cactus garden definitely got my attention and its on top of the list.

To my nose it's the most underrated fragrance in all of perfumery. If reviewers talk about les Colognes at all, it's Afternoon Swim they mention, but this is far more creative and much nicer. This actually smells like a real cactus garden with an earthy/green blend that makes me feel grounded and in touch with nature. Yes, both price and performance are issues, but the scent is spectacular and isnt that why we wear fragrances? It's among the top 5 things I have smelled in my life, despite being very different than the type of fragrances I usually wear. Nothing else on the market smells anything like this.

A beautiful aromatic and citrus-y scent. There are fresh fruits (to my nose) in the background but way in the background. There’s also a slight touch of earthiness but it is floating off in the distance. Magical!! I am trying a sample and on my skin, it is slightly veering towards the herbal side of things with a definite masculine aspect to it. But it is soooooo good!! This was obviously (and wrongfully) discontinued by LV and I’ve no idea why. Absolutely a shame and I hope it makes a comeback like Sun Song did without any changes to its original formulation...

Cactus garden smells VERY good... For about the 15 minutes that it lasts. I bought a $25 decant and I'm upset about the longevity; I would be livid if I paid $400 for a bottle of this. It has potential, but they need to improve the potency. 7/10, with the potential to be higher. Edit: Just wore this during a bike ride on the boardwalk. It still doesn't last long enough to justify $400 (tbh no fragrance does), but it lasts longer than I initially thought, and damn if it doesn't smell really good. Will be enjoying this all summer. 8/10

Wow! I dont actually have the fragrance but some sort of clone or dupe- a friend of mine buys extracts from a pharmacist and he claims it smells the same- well idk. BUT! I do know how beautiful this creation of a fragrance is. In the beginning it can really be jarring but the after smell is the best thing my nose smelt . Its so calm so clean so fresh I could be nervous and I will feel calm if I will smell this scent Absolutely 10/10 I bought 50 MLs from my friend because how much I love it I do need to get my hands on the real deal.

People coming on here and down voting something they don't have in hand or haven't tried is ruining these rating systems. Aside from that... Cactus Garden is fresh, warm and perfect for Spring/Summer. There is nothing 'light' ab out this EDP concentration - it is a heavier wear that projects boldly. Lemongrass is the headliner with an underbelly of tea and bergamot. It lasts all day and is clearly the winner of the three fragrances they released. Afternoon Swim smells like a dupe for Tom Ford Neroli portofino ... I love this.

This is one of my favorite LV perfumes. I love the smell of lemongrass and dry down is perfect. Sillage and longevity are not the best, especially if you buy one secondhand and it was not stored properly. It's a fresh perfume, so it's perfect for spring/summer days. I would definitely not recommend buying secondhand, with all the rumours about this one and Sun Song returning, just wait and buy it if it comes. Paying $800-$1000 resell for this is way way overpriced for perfumes performance and sillage that you get with it.

I had a sample of this and enjoyed it intensely. I usually don't go for fresh, citrusy scents—I often find them boring—but this one stands out. I haven't smelled anything else quite like this. Cactus Garden is fresh with an almost minty edge. It's lightly sweet—more agave syrup than refined sugar. Doesn't lean masculine or feminine to me, and has some decent lasting power and sillage for a fresh-type fragrance—you just need a couple of sprays. All around a beautiful scent.

This is EASILY one of my top warm weather frags. Something about it is just intoxicating to me. Such a natural bergamot scent that mixes flawlessly with the green tea and lemongrass. It starts off fairly loud for the first couple hours and dries down to the skin but still lingers for a good while. I've smelt this the following day when applied to my hair and clothing. Wish it wasn't so spendy, but you definitely get quality for what you pay.

Beautiful yuzu and mate fragrance. It's not complex but do you need complex in the summer anyways? Very unique and has something almost vetiverísh in the dry down. Beautiful unisex. I get lots of yuzu and bergamot and not lemongrass which I'm extremely happy about. In terms of performance cactus garden is solid 7-8hours in the air. I keep catching myself sniffing it in the air around me. It's my favourite from all California collection.

Oh my god. My LV rep was nice enough to let me get a sample leftover from ages ago and my god am I blown away. I don’t understand why this gets the flack it gets. It has such a matcha note with a sunny bergamont, along with a jellied aloe Vera smell. It smells fantastic and almost like a luxurious aloe rub for sunburns (in the best way possible). Contemplating buying it but that price is gonna sting. Smell though? 9.5/10

Absolutely gorgeous scent for sunny spring and summer days. Cactus Garden just bounces off the skin Simple note structure... yet Crisp, Green and Refreshing I have a 100ML that I got a few months before the discontinued news came down. But I also have found a 97% accurate clone from Montagne (Cacti Garden) that I like even more. This one last +8 hours on skin and forever if you spray your shirt A 97/100

What an amazing scent this is! One of the best fresh scents out there in my opinion and it's really simple smelling. This opens up so fresh with the lemongrass and bergamot combo and you'll smell the mate in the background giving this herbal and slightly smokey smell which is phenomenal! I get around 10 hours wearing this gem in the hot weather, I'm really sad how they discontinued it. 10/10.

mmcdonald36 - seems to be going around to all of these fragrances and is also misinformed. These are not cologne - they are inspired by cologne and are actually EDP concentration. They are all very powerful and last all day and night on me. Just to clarify - no need to go and downvote things and potentially ruin a good buy for someone when you don't even have the information right.

I have an oil for this so I can't speak much on the perfume journey. I love the herbal scent, it's not rough but soothing, a little bit like eucalyptus and cardamon. The lemongrass is visible throughout. It must evoke a nice feeling on rainy days. Hoping to get a small bottle or decant when my oil finishes, and hoping I don't get disappointed after reading all the reviews below🤞🏼

Of the les colognes line this was easily my favourite. Much more original than the others with a lovely earthy smell that I found quite unique. I can see why it has such a low fragrantuca rating because of its uniqueness, but it just really works for me. 9/10 but I'm a very tough grader. Would love to be able to afford the $250 price tag, but its a little high for me.

Sadly discontinued so I will cherish my sample for as long as I can. This is one of the most unique yet mass pleasing fragrances I can think of. Sillage is appropriate for a citrus/lemongrass base but the longevity is a solid 8+ hours on skin. I’m jealous of those who were smart enough to get this while it was available. It’ll be “the one that got away” for me!

The Arabic brands, Zara, Perfume Parlour etc.. made dozens of clones or inspirations on Imagination, Afternoon Swim, l’Immensite, Pacific Chill, Hombre Nomade etc but none of Cactus Garden ( or at least I can not find any, if someone knows please share ) ... and it’s discontinued, if any of these clone brands would make one, I am sure it would be a succes ...

I don't think people give this fragrance justice. It's a BEAUTIFUL SCENT! Yes, it's herbal. But it's sweet, fresh, and alluring. Maybe it's because I run sweet, so the sweetness really comes out in the fragrance. This reminds me alot of D&G's Velvet Vetiver which doesn't get much love, but is incredible in its own way. Don't expect any orangey-ness from it.

This is my self-care Sunday fragrance! I love it so much it smells like green tea with a little ginger and lemon. It’s so refreshing I can’t stop smelling myself when I wear it. It is pricey... But it is a Louis Vuitton fragrance so... This is some thing I wear for me and not for anyone else but I do get compliments on it.

Discontinued and I do not have this but I recently bought the Jean Lowe version (clone version) probably in ingredients inferior to the original but if the original is close to the clone - it would have been a masterpiece- it smells really nice and my wife, really loves the scent on me - so that’s a positive

Such a wonderfully fresh and cheerful scent. Every time I spray it the room fills with sunshine, I can’t help but smile. Happiness in a gorgeous green bottle. Lemongrass, maté and bergamot blended in perfect harmony. It’s such a shame this was discontinued. I’ll cherish my bottle for as long as I can.

This is such a good scent I got it when it was released and used it then didn’t use it again and now reaching for it again and I have a re-newed love for this fragrance 😍. My bottle still has about 95% of its Juice in it. And to think I almost sold it. Glad I didn’t.

Smells like bitter lemongrass its AMAZING I LOVEEE IT The dry down is more mellow and sweet But the first hit of lemongrass is my favourite Edit: after a few months i dont know what happened, now its sweetness is cloying. I can see why it got discontinued

This is a love from first spray!!! An amazing Citrus-Mint fragrance which boosts energy, refreshes and stays for a long time. VERY luxurious, very glamorous and very versatile, worth for a blind buy.

To me I feel that the most dominant note is the beautiful tea. This is a citrus lemongrass tea. I totally enjoy it. Wish they didn’t discontinue this. Maybe they will bring it back like Sun Song.

Fantastic fragrance. What I’d imagine a getting a haircut at a barbershop in a field of Cacti. Montagne’s version of this, Cacti Garden, is basically 1:1, and not 1K a bottle.

I love this scent it’s like a brother of imagination same family but it’s own uniqueness I can’t believe it’s discontinued I hope it comes back

loooove this. there's some scents that just immediately feel like 'me' and this is one of them. must be the bergamot - can't get enough.

As earthy and grounded as any fragrance I own. It does smell like a nature walk in a cactus garden somehow. Calming. Brilliant.

A warm weather frag done the right way! Don't go by the comments, go smell it for yourself, or buy a sample or a decant.

Just got a sample of this; smells very similar to on the beach, I understand why they discontinued it. Very nice though

I heard it's coming back this summer, stay tuned (but don't get your hopes up too high)

Apparently being discontinued soon. Tragic. Need to get a refill asap.

This is a masterpiece. Bring it back so we can refill

Hoping to purchase a bottle if anyone is selling!

Moving back to the fresher side of the LV lineup, today I am taking a look at the discontinued Louis Vuitton Cactus Garden, which became widely unavailable around 2022. The idea behind Cactus Garden is pretty interesting. It is meant to represent the contrast between the dry exterior of a cactus as well as the wet interior. So the question is whether it deserves the hype or if it was discontinued for a reason. When I first tried Cactus Garden, it smelled almost exactly how I expected. The opening is bright and lively with a strong burst of bergamot paired with citrusy lemongrass. The bergamot smells fresh and realistic, while the lemongrass has a calm and tranquil quality to it. Lemongrass is often used in essential oils or diffusers, and you get a bit of that relaxing vibe here, but it is also very crisp and bright at the same time. If I did not know what brand this was and smelled it blind, I would probably guess it was from Louis Vuitton. It has that signature fresh citrus style that a lot of the LV fragrances share, with that slightly fresh, almost beachy character they tend to have. After about 20 to 30 minutes, I start picking up more of the mate note as the citrusy bergamot gradually fades. The mate brings in an herbal and slightly dry tea like smell, though it still stays fairly crisp thanks to the lemongrass continuing in the background. If the opening represents the wet interior of a cactus being broken open, then the drydown leans more toward the sun baked exterior. It becomes drier, more herbal, and a little more relaxed. From that point on, the fragrance continues in that direction for the rest of the wear. There is less citrus while the mate and lemongrass stay present throughout. Now for the elephant in the room, the performance. After about two hours I could barely smell it, which surprised me because the opening has a bright and noticeable citrus punch. By the three-hour mark, it had faded significantly, which lines up with what a lot of people have said about it. But here is the thing. The first 20 to 30 minutes of this fragrance might be my favorite thing that Louis Vuitton has done in their fresh lineup. It is bright and crisp but also calm and relaxing at the same time. I could easily see this working perfectly on those absolutely sweltering summer days. I think this is a really good fragrance. In fact it is probably my favorite LV fresh fragrance. I will be honest and say that I was almost trying not to like it because it is discontinued and now pretty expensive on the secondary market, but I have to give it credit where it is due, and if this were still available at retail, it is something I would highly consider picking up, more so than most or maybe even any of the other Louis Vuitton fragrances. They really did something special here. If the performance were stronger, this could be one of my absolute favorites.

Beautifully clean, green, cool, breezy breath of fresh air. The same instantaneous puff of calm and refreshment you get from stepping into an air-conditioned florist's shop from hot and humid city streets outside. Great swell of naturalesque, not screechy or sharp or chemical, citrus at first with bergamot & lemongrass doing great things for a dismayingly brief first act ... maybe up to a half hour. The zing subsides - but more like 'shades imperceptibly into', because this is smooth and classy stuff - into mild, gentle, but still intriguing lemon-grass-drying-into-mate tea. In contrast to some people here I actually like the mate best of all, because it's subtle but REALLY clever. Somehow it stays there, deeply green and calming, even as it and the scent dries out, to become much more arid and verging on warm, like real dried tea leaves, but staying clean and healthy-smelling always. (This was a particular thrill to me as I'm crazy about tea notes in anything, but often find they're the first to boil away on my skin, even faster than citrus.) That lovely, verging-on-minerally note really hangs on longer (maybe 4h tops) and very close to the skin, so ... frustratingly modest for a stellar smell. Concentration? Don't make me laugh. EDP stands for Extremely Deceptive Publicity material in this case I'm afraid. I'm so torn! It's crisp, perfectly unisex, clears your head and centres you in an instant. Very minimalist and simple, so though it's got citrus and mate tea in common with say the summer garden of OJ QI, the Cactus Garden is pretty bare and Zen in comparison - those three major notes and not much more. But happily each of the three is done well enough to convince overall. When you think just how many green tea / citric tea summer scents there are in the field - this is undeniably outstanding. On a hot day this is close to perfection - but only fleetingly. For all that, the price and performance are both pretty terrible, by my metrics. I had no possible way to choose on the 'overpriced/well priced' slider ... is this 'well priced' as a truly classy product that smells easily good enough to justify it? or 'way overpriced' as a frustrating under-performer and too close to cheaper green teas to be worth the difference? Only you can judge. I will split the difference, wear out a 10ml decant over this summer and move on. But it really is as good as you can imagine for muggy, humid, oppressive days or climates where you feel the need for perfume to focus and sharpen you.

I remember getting this along with sun song when they first released. While they were very pleasant, it was just too mass appealing for me. But through the years, I had lost my memory of it and have since wanted to revisit it. Cactus Garden is a very fresh and citrusy fragrance. Everytime I think of the name "Cactus Garden", I imagine myself in a desert and this just doesnt quite click for me. Like if I was in Joshua Tree. This to me is more of a vacation type fragrance where you are laid back on a beach or poolside with a drink that has those little umbrellas. Lemongrass usually gives me pause when looking at descriptions and note breakdowns because the note can be quite overpowering and agressive. In this composition, it is quite tamed in comparison to most of the other fragrances I have tried with the note. This is a very easy to wear citrus fragrance. Just extremely overpriced especially now given its discontinued status. Overall, I do enjoy this fragrance. But I will not be paying the high price tag for it.