Plants in family cactaceae
Mammillaria longiflora ssp. longiflora
Mammillaria longiflora ssp. longiflora is a cactus known for its purple flowers and fleshy stems. It requires very well-draining soil and is sensitive to overwatering, making it somewhat challenging to grow into clumps. This cactus is dormant in winter, needing minimal water, and is somewhat frost-tolerant. It thrives in full sun but requires afternoon shade in hot climates to prevent sunburn. The plant is native to Chihuahua and prefers high light levels for optimal flowering and spine development.
Gymnocalycium reductum 'Leucodictyon'
Native to Argentina, this dwarf plant has a slightly tubular body and produces white-yellow blooms in clusters in autumn. It is drought-tolerant and prefers partial shade and minimal watering with well-drained soil.
Obregonia denegrii
Obregonia denegrii, known as the artichoke cactus, is a unique plant native to Mexico. It grows level with the ground and features a sunk and woolly apex. This slow-growing cactus blooms in late spring or early summer with pink flowers and prefers calcareous, well-drained soil.
Mammillaria painteri
Mammillaria painteri is a small cactus native to Mexico, known for its globose mounds covered in spines and its ability to withstand low temperatures. It produces clusters of greenish-white or yellowish flowers in spring and summer and prefers bright, filtered light. This cactus is sensitive to red spider mites and requires a regular cactus potting mix.
Mammillaria fittkaui
Mammillaria fittkaui is a fast-growing cactus native to Mexico, with dark-green cylindrical stems and white to cream flowers. It prefers bright sunlight and well-draining soil, making it a resilient addition to any cactus collection.
Gymnocalycium monvillei ssp. achirasense
Gymnocalycium monvillei ssp. achirasense, also known as the chin cactus, is a summer-growing cactus with flowers that range from whitish to pale pink or lavender. It grows well in full sun or light shade and requires regular watering in summer while being kept dry in winter. This cactus is native to Bolivia and is known for its slow growth and globose shape.
Mammillaria bombycina ssp. perezdelarosae
Mammillaria bombycina ssp. perezdelarosae is a cactus known for its rounded-columnar growth and vibrant purple flowers that bloom in late winter. It requires regular watering with a dry period in between and is dormant in winter. This plant needs high light levels and protection from frost, thriving in full morning sun with afternoon shade in hot areas.
Lobivia subdenudata
Succulents are drought-tolerant plants that can reproduce in numerous ways and grow in sunny areas. They require ample light, porous, well-draining soil, and little watering. It is important to leave drought periods between waterings and add pumice, perlite, or grit to cactus soil for proper drainage.
Mammillaria fittkaui ssp. limonensis
Mammillaria fittkaui ssp. limonensis is a drought-tolerant succulent that naturally grows in sunny areas. It requires porous, well-draining soil and has various methods of reproduction. This cactus is known for its unusual features and is a resilient addition to any collection.
Gymnocalycium quehlianum
Gymnocalycium quehlianum is a summer-growing cactus species known for its creamy-white flowers with a dull red throat. It requires regular watering in summer but should be kept dry in winter. This plant is hardy to temperatures as low as 10°F and thrives in extremely bright conditions, although it prefers filtered sunlight or afternoon shade to prevent sun scorch. Its ability to bronze in strong light encourages flowering and heavy spine production.
Parodia chrysacanthion
Parodia chrysacanthion, also known as the Golden Powder Puff, is a cactus species native to northwest Argentina. It is recognized for its large golden flowers in spring and pale yellow wool. This cactus requires well-drained soil and protection from strong midday sun, and it can tolerate light frost.
Parodia langsdorfii
Parodia langsdorfii is a cactus that thrives in warm, bright locations with partial shade. It blooms annually with lemon yellow flowers that have glossy petals and a contrasting red-purple stigma. This plant requires good drainage and prefers a neutral to slightly acidic compost with extra grit.
Echinocereus coccineus ssp. paucispinus
Echinocereus coccineus ssp. paucispinus is a clump-forming cactus native to the Southern US, known for its vibrant flowers ranging from orange to deep crimson. It grows up to 16 inches tall and blooms in spring, preferring porous, slightly acidic soil and at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. This cactus is sensitive to overwatering and has medicinal benefits as a heart stimulant.
Aylostera pygmaea
Aylostera pygmaea is a very small, clumping cactus species native to Bolivia, with variable forms and orange-pink flowers that bloom in late spring. It is a slow-growing plant that thrives in full sun to partial shade and is suitable for hardiness zones 9b to 11b.
Mammillaria pringlei
Mammillaria pringlei is a cactus native to Mexico, recognized for its compact form and white spines. It has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, highlighting its ornamental value.
Micranthocereus estevesii
Micranthocereus estevesii is a cactus native to Brazil, featuring blue-green stems with golden or reddish-gold spines. It blooms in the summer with white or near-white flowers and is drought-tolerant, preferring full sun exposure. This plant is well-suited for warm climates and requires minimal water.
Mammillaria candida
Mammillaria candida, also known as the 'Snowball Cactus', originates from Northeastern Mexico. It features yellow flowers with pink veins and grows quickly. This cactus prefers partial sunlight and is frost-tolerant down to 23°F.
Rhipsalis sulcata
Rhipsalis sulcata is a succulent endemic to Brazil, thriving in moist lowland forests and rocky areas. It is drought-tolerant and requires ample light, preferably in a south-facing location. This plant should be planted in porous, well-draining soil and requires little watering, making it a resilient choice for indoor or outdoor gardens.
Matucana oreodoxa
Matucana oreodoxa is a cactus native to Peru, characterized by its solitary growth and spherical, grass-green to dark green shoots. It features orange-red, slender, funnel-shaped flowers and grows slowly in its natural habitat. This plant prefers good light and rich, porous soil with excellent drainage, making it suitable for rock gardens or as a potted specimen.
Lobivia ferox
Lobivia ferox is a cactus native to Argentina, known for its fierce spines and spectacular flowers in various colors. It has a bluish-green stem and can grow up to 25 cm tall. This summer grower requires good drainage and full sun, and is frost resistant to -12°C.
Pilosocereus pachycladus 'Blue Torch Cactus'
Pilosocereus pachycladus, also known as the 'Blue Torch Cactus,' is a drought-tolerant plant that naturally grows in sunny areas. It requires porous, well-draining soil and minimal watering, with drought periods between waterings to prevent water-logging. This cactus is a unique and resilient addition to any collection.
Cactus 'Parodia Leninghausii'
This cylindrical cactus originates in Africa and grows from 3 to 12 inches in height. It produces bright yellow flowers in spring and late summer and requires regular watering during the growing season. The cactus is frost-tolerant down to -4°C (24.8°F) and needs full sun exposure. Propagation is typically done through offsets.