Plants in family cactaceae
Parodia ottonis 'Indian Head'
Parodia ottonis 'Indian Head' is a drought-tolerant cactus that prefers sunny, south-facing locations. It thrives in porous, well-draining soil and requires minimal watering, making it ideal for those seeking low-maintenance plants.
Opuntia 'Sunburst Variegata'
Opuntia 'Sunburst Variegata' is a vibrant cactus native to Mexico, known for its fast growth and striking pink flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer. This plant can reach up to 20 inches in height and thrives in full sun to partial shade, requiring at least five hours of direct sunlight daily. It is drought-tolerant, needing little water and fertilizer, and prefers a gritty, well-draining soil mix. Hardy in USDA zones 8b to 11, it can withstand temperatures as low as 32°F. Opuntia 'Sunburst Variegata' is easy to propagate through stem cuttings, making it a popular choice for cactus enthusiasts.
Aporophyllum 'Edna Bellamy'
Aporophyllum 'Edna Bellamy' is a drought-tolerant cactus that requires ample light and well-draining soil. It is known for its trailing form and can withstand temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This plant needs little watering and should be protected from water-logging.
Gymnocalycium carolinense
Gymnocalycium carolinense, originating from San Luis, Argentina, is a low-growing cactus with a spherical or hemispherical stem. It features dark bluish-green or black-green coloration with bronze touches and blooms in early summer. This cactus is known for its large taproots and ability to form clusters in cultivation.
Gymnocalycium pflanzii ssp. pflanzii
Gymnocalycium pflanzii ssp. pflanzii is a cactus native to Bolivia, known for its solitary or slowly clustering growth habit and backward-bent spine clusters. It is relatively fast-growing and flowers abundantly when provided with a well-drained, rich substrate. This cactus is frost-resistant if kept dry and enjoys extremely bright conditions, making it suitable for sunny locations.
Echinocereus knippelianus
Echinocereus knippelianus is a solitary or slowly clumping cactus native to the Sierra Madre Oriental Mountains in Mexico. It features buds that emerge through the plant's skin and is known for its pink or white flowers. This cactus is well-suited for full sun to partial shade and is a resilient addition to arid gardens.
Mammillaria spinosissima 'Cristata'
Mammillaria spinosissima 'Cristata', also known as the Brain Cactus, is a unique form with soft reddish spines. It grows up to 12 inches tall and 4 inches in diameter, thriving in USDA zone 10. This cactus prefers light shade and regular watering in summer, with propagation possible through seeds or offsets.
Copiapoa gigantea
Copiapoa gigantea is a slow-growing cactus endemic to Chile's Atacama Desert. It forms massive clumps up to 5 feet tall, with light green or reddish stems and golden spines. This cactus prefers a coarse mineral soil mix and requires careful watering to avoid overwatering. It can withstand short periods of cold down to 28°F and thrives in full sun or light shade.
Opuntia quitensis 'Johnson's Hybrid'
Opuntia quitensis 'Johnson's Hybrid' is a shrubby cactus native to Ecuador and Peru, known for its obovate, flat branched pads. It grows up to 2 feet tall and produces red-orange flowers on the pad tips. This drought-tolerant plant prefers well-draining soil and can withstand temperatures down to 30°F.
Cleistocactus strausii
Cleistocactus strausii, native to the Americas, is a versatile cactus that thrives in dry, arid climates. It requires minimal watering, about once every 2-3 weeks, and prefers ample light with well-draining soil. This drought-tolerant plant is suitable for both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Copiapoa calderana
Copiapoa calderana is a slow-growing cactus that requires protection from excessive heat and sun. It prefers light but regular waterings in summer and needs good drainage. This cactus is not highly tolerant of frost, making it suitable for warm climates or indoor cultivation.
Mammillaria petterssonii
Mammillaria petterssonii is a small cactus native to Mexico, recognized for its globular, solitary stem and woolly axils. The light green stem can grow up to 4.8 inches in diameter, with large, three-angled tubercles. Its central spines are orange-brown, turning whitish with age, and it produces pinkish-red to white flowers with reddish midveins. This cactus has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Coryphantha calipensis
Coryphantha calipensis is a low branching cactus that forms clusters, with distinct young and mature forms. It features radial spines in its youth and develops central spines and long tubercles with age. This cactus flowers in summer and takes 4-5 years from seed to bloom.
Grusonia invicta
Grusonia invicta is a mat-forming cactus endemic to Baja California, Mexico. It grows up to 20-50 cm high and 2 meters across, with stout stems and broad spines. The plant blooms with yellow flowers in April and May.
Mammillaria melanocentra
Mammillaria melanocentra is a short, stocky perennial cactus native to Northern Mexico, featuring large tubercles and dark pink flowers in a complete ring. It has a glaucous-green stem and blooms in spring, producing pink or red fruits. This cactus prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
Mammillaria 'Toumeya Knippeli'
Mammillaria 'Toumeya Knippeli' is a winter-dormant cactus with a mat-forming growth habit and soft, flattened green stems. It produces small pink flowers at the apex and requires regular watering in summer, allowing the soil to dry between waterings. This cactus thrives in bright light and cannot tolerate temperatures below 23°F.
Aylostera deminuta 'Orange Snowball'
Aylostera deminuta 'Orange Snowball' is a drought-tolerant succulent with a preference for ample light, ideally in a south-facing location. It reproduces in various ways and requires well-draining soil. This plant is perfect for those looking for a low-maintenance, light-loving succulent.
Frailea buenekeri
Frailea buenekeri is a small cactus that prefers rich, porous soil with good drainage. It requires more water than most cacti and thrives in cool, dry winter conditions. This plant produces large yellow flowers and enjoys full sun, retracting under the ground during dry seasons.
Frailea schilinzkyana
Frailea schilinzkyana is a small cactus native to Brazil, known for its pale to bright yellow flowers. It thrives in rich, porous soil and requires dry periods between waterings. This drought-tolerant plant enjoys full sun and can appear nearly black in bright light. It has a unique ability to retract under the ground during dry seasons, making it a fascinating addition to cactus collections.
Coleocephalocereus aureus
Coleocephalocereus aureus, originating from Brazil, is a clumping columnar cactus that grows up to 24 inches tall. It features nocturnal green or yellow flowers and golden spines, preferring bright light and porous cactus soil. This semi-tropical plant can be propagated by seeds or cuttings.
Mammillaria columbiana ssp. yucatanensis
Mammillaria columbiana ssp. yucatanensis is a drought-tolerant cactus native to Mexico and Central America. It features dark red central spines and pink flowers, making it a striking addition to xeriscapes. This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and blooms from mid-spring to early summer.
Copiapoa hypogaea 'Lizard Skin'
Copiapoa hypogaea 'Lizard Skin' is a small, globose cactus native to Chile, known for its distinctive textured surface. It grows slowly, reaching up to 7 cm in height, and produces pink and yellow flowers in summer. This xerophytic plant prefers a gritty, sandy cactus mix and is susceptible to over-watering. It thrives in bright sunlight or light shade and can tolerate frost down to 32°F.
Melocactus ferreophilus
Melocactus ferreophilus is a critically endangered cactus endemic to central Bahia, Brazil. It grows on limestone outcrops and features a green epidermis with white wool and reddish bristles on its cephalia. This cactus prefers porous soil and bright light, which encourages flowering and spine production. It cannot endure temperatures below 46-54°F.
Lobivia cinnabarina
Lobivia cinnabarina is a small cactus native to Southern Bolivia and Northern Argentina, featuring a flattened body and scarlet to deep red flowers. It is frost-resistant down to 10°F and prefers bright exposure with well-draining soil. This cactus is ideal for hardiness zones 10a to 11 and requires minimal water.
Opuntia fragilis 'Potato'
Opuntia fragilis 'Potato' is a form of prickly pear cactus from Western Colorado, known for its tightly clustering clump of near-spineless pads. It forms a 3-inch tall by 2-foot wide patch and takes on a purple blush in cold weather. Occasionally, it produces bright yellow flowers in late spring.