Cactus Garden by Louis Vuitton

Cactus Garden is another one of the Les Parfums Louis Vuitton fragrances which came out in 2019. Another scent built for the warmer weather of summertime and housed in a cactus green bottle. What does this one smell like? How does it perform? Is Cactus Garden worth a try?

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What does Cactus Garden Smell Like?

Notes include: mate, lemongrass, bergamot, incense, geranium

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My Full Wear Review

Before we get into my thoughts about this fragrance, let’s see how Louis Vuitton describes it: The enthusiasm of mate to exalt the emotions. The cool freshness of an exotic patio. A breath of leaves defies the heat wave like an enchanted frisson on the skin.

The opening act of Cactus Garden is so utterly pleasant and has a bright summery attractiveness. I was kind of disappointed that the fragrance doesn’t actually contain a cactus note, which would’ve been an interesting touch. Though, it also doesn’t really need it.

Instead you get a delicious bergamot note, with lemongrass, and the herbal tea-like aroma of mate. The lemongrass in Cactus Garden is absolutely beautiful and it takes the lead, after the first few minutes from the bergamot.

As I get a bit deeper into the wear, the geranium freshness becomes more pronounced. Cactus Garden starts to feel more refreshing and cold than it had with the opening citrus brightness.

I know that Louis Vuitton says that there is an incense note, but it must be very light, because I don’t really get it. Maybe it’s just my nose, however. 

Eventually, the bergamot fades. Then, the lemongrass starts to bow out. Eventually, the last note standing is the mate. I mean, I do like the smell of that note, but the dry down is definitely the weakest of the entire composition. 

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Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here isn’t overly powerful, but it also isn’t weak. The first few hours are on the upper range of what could be considered moderate, before it settles much closer to the skin. Not a complete projection monster, but very decent.

The longevity is also pretty good, just not incredible. It will go for 7 hours on my skin, mostly as the remnants of the herbal aspects of the scent, but it is indeed still there.

Seasonally, this is spring and summertime in a bottle. Preferably, late spring and into the days of summer. It’s a well put together casual or semi-formal scent for either men or women. Very easy to wear and quite balanced for everyone. 

It does have an attractiveness to it, but it’s not a nightlife powerhouse or a date night scent either, really. 

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Overall Impressions of Cactus Garden

Do I like this scent? Yes, I think that it is unique and the opening act is really outstanding. It’s such a great mix of citrus and that herbal aroma. Cactus Garden is a nice change of pace from the never-ending cycle of aquatics and other standard summer fare.

It actually has a similar style to Creed’s Green Irish Tweed, but I think that this Vuitton is the better smelling of the two. Again, the dry down isn’t at the same level, but I liked wearing this a lot. 

Is it worth the price? It isn’t a must have for everyone, that they should run out and pay LV prices. That being said, if that’s not an issue personally, I can recommend at least giving this fragrance a try…if not just grabbing a full bottle. 

I enjoy the smell and the longevity is decent for this type of perfume, but maybe not the price itself.

Update: As of 2023, Cactus Garden is now discontinued by LV. The 100mL bottle is listed as unavailable and it appears that it is gone for good. 

For potential dupe alternatives of Cactus, Dua has one called Garden of Thorns for sale. That should be a good one to go with for a very similar smell and ingredient list based on the Cactus Garden formula.