Plants in family cactaceae
Rhipsalis pachyptera
Rhipsalis pachyptera, native to Brazil, is a spineless, freely branched epiphytic cactus that can grow up to 5 feet long. It features flat, green stems sometimes tinged with red and produces creamy-yellow or whitish flowers followed by white fruits.
Opuntia engelmannii
Opuntia engelmannii, commonly known as the Texas prickly pear, is a shrubby cactus found in the south-central and Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It forms dense clumps up to 11.5 feet high, with green pads and yellow flowers that bloom in April and May. The plant produces purple fleshy fruits and is pollinated by solitary bees and sap beetles.
Echinocereus viereckii
This plant, native to Mexico, is notable for its floppy, crumpled stems that can reach up to 50 cm long and change color from green to purple under bright light. It produces magenta funnel-shaped flowers from late spring to summer and is extremely drought-tolerant. The plant requires minimal watering and thrives in well-drained soil. It is cold hardy in USDA zones 9-11 and can be easily propagated through division, grafting, or seeds. Its resilience and ease of care make it a popular choice for gardeners.
Rhipsalis oblonga
Rhipsalis oblonga is an epiphytic cactus native to Brazil, featuring olive green segmented stems that can grow up to 8.2 feet long. It produces yellowish-white flowers and prefers morning sun with full shade in the afternoon. This plant is threatened by habitat loss in its natural subtropical environment.
Opuntia monacantha
Opuntia monacantha, also known as the drooping prickly pear, is a hardy, drought-tolerant cactus native to South America. It can grow up to 20 feet tall and is one of the few cacti with white-variegated stems. This fast-growing plant thrives in sunny areas with well-draining, porous soil and requires minimal watering. It is frost-sensitive and cannot survive temperatures below 32°F. Opuntia monacantha produces stunning red flowers and is well-suited for container growth. It is best propagated by cuttings and prefers a cactus mix soil with added organic matter.
Pilosocereus ulei
Pilosocereus ulei is a tall, columnar cactus native to Brazil, reaching heights of up to 20 feet. It features dense spines and blooms with white or cream-colored flowers in the summer. This slow-growing cactus is drought-tolerant and prefers bright, indirect sunlight. It can be grown outdoors in USDA zones 10-11 and is propagated by stem cuttings. The plant produces small, edible fruits and requires well-draining soil.
Homalocephala texensis
Homalocephala texensis, also known as the Horse Crippler or Devil's Pincushion, is a winter-hardy cactus native to the southwestern United States. It features blue-green color and long, arching spines, with pink daisy-like flowers that have red centers. This cactus requires good winter drainage and is well-suited for rock gardens.
Copiapoa cinerea
Copiapoa cinerea is a globular, perennial cactus native to the coastal zones of northern Chile. It features a white waxy cuticle for protection and can grow up to 3 feet tall. The cactus produces yellow flowers and has thorns that vary in color from black to dark brown. It thrives in well-drained soils and requires protection from excessive sun and frost. This slow-growing plant is adapted to survive in areas with dense fogs, which provide necessary moisture.
Opuntia santa-rita
Opuntia santa-rita, commonly known as the Santa Rita prickly pear, is a bushy succulent shrub native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. It features striking reddish or violet-purple pads and bright yellow flowers that bloom from April through August. This frost-hardy plant can grow up to 6-8 feet tall and 3 meters wide, thriving in full sun or partial shade. It requires regular watering in summer and dry conditions in winter, making it suitable for USDA zones 6-10.
Astrophytum myriostigma
Astrophytum myriostigma, also known as Bishop's Cap, is a spineless cactus with three to seven vertical ribs and whitish flocking on its stem. It grows up to 3.3 feet tall and produces creamy yellow flowers in early spring. Native to Mexico, this ornamental plant is slow-growing and thrives in well-drained cacti soil.
Stenocactus multicostatus ssp. zacatecasensis
Stenocactus multicostatus ssp. zacatecasensis, or Wave Cactus, is a small, easy-to-care-for cactus suitable for pot culture. It prefers light shade during hot summer months and is frost-tolerant down to 21°F. The cactus blooms in early spring with white or pinkish flowers featuring a violet to purple mid-vein.
Selenicereus undatus
The Selenicereus undatus, commonly known as the dragon fruit cactus, is an epiphytic climbing cactus native to Central and South America. It is notable for its large, fragrant white flowers that bloom at night and its ability to produce edible red fruits with white pulp. This vigorous grower can reach heights of over 30 feet, using aerial roots to attach to supports. It thrives in bright, indirect light but can tolerate some full sun, and prefers a well-drained potting medium. The plant is adaptable to dry, tropical, or subtropical climates and can withstand temperatures up to 113°F, with some frost tolerance. It requires regular watering during the growing season, with a reduction in late summer and a complete stop in winter for a few weeks. The dragon fruit cactus is a member of the Cactaceae family and is closely related to other Selenicereus species.
Ferocactus hamatacanthus
Ferocactus hamatacanthus, commonly known as Turk's Head, is a solitary, globular cactus native to the Chihuahuan Desert. It grows up to 24 inches tall and features 13 to 17 ribs with large areoles and distinctive spines. This cactus produces yellow flowers with a scarlet center and edible, oblong fruit. It thrives in dry, rocky, alkaline sites and is well-suited for xeriscaping. Its unique appearance and resilience make it a fascinating addition to desert-themed gardens.
Echinocereus enneacanthus
Echinocereus enneacanthus, commonly known as the strawberry cactus, features cylindrical stems that form dense or lax clumps. The stems are pale to bright green, with needle-like spines and funnel-shaped flowers that range from purple-red to pink. This cactus blooms in early spring and is hardy in zones 9a to 11b, preferring full sun to partial shade and moderate watering.
Lepismium houlletianum
Lepismium houlletianum is an epiphytic cactus native to the subtropical and tropical moist forests of Argentina and Brazil. It is known for its cascading, pendulate growth and small bell-like flowers. This plant is threatened by habitat loss and thrives in its natural forest environment.
Espostoa lanata
Espostoa lanata, commonly known as the Peruvian Old Man Cactus, is a slow-growing, tree-shaped cactus native to the arid regions of Peru. It is characterized by its dense, hairy appearance, resembling a warm woolly coat. This cactus can reach heights of 5 to 23 feet and blooms in late spring to early summer. It thrives in well-draining soil with infrequent watering and bright, indirect light. The plant is non-toxic to humans and pets, though its spines can cause irritation.
Opuntia ficus-indica
Opuntia ficus-indica, or the Prickly Pear, is a large, branching cactus native to Mexico, valued for its edible fruits and ornamental appeal. It can grow between 6 to 16 feet tall, with flat, oval-shaped pads covered in spines. The plant blooms in yellow, orange, or red from spring to late summer and thrives in bright, direct sunlight with minimal watering. It is hardy in zones 8-12 and tolerates temperatures from 50°F to 100°F.
Ferocactus robustus
Ferocactus robustus, also known as the Chin cactus, is a small barrel cactus native to Puebla and Veracruz, Mexico. It forms large, clumping colonies with spherical to club-shaped bodies and sharp-edged ribs. The cactus is adorned with reddish or purple thorns and produces striking funnel-shaped yellow flowers. It can grow up to 39 inches tall and requires minimal water once established. This cactus is unique within its genus due to its clumping growth habit and ability to propagate through seeds or offsets. It thrives in full sun and is hardy in zones 9b to 11, making it suitable for warm climates.
Rebutia minuscula
Rebutia minuscula, also known as the Red Crown Cactus, is a small, globe-shaped cactus native to the mountains of northern Argentina. It forms large clusters with pale green stems and is adorned with bright red to violet flowers that bloom around the base. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in sunny areas with well-draining soil and requires minimal watering. It is recognized for its ability to flower prolifically and is suitable for beginners due to its easy cultivation.
Rhipsalis elliptica
Rhipsalis elliptica is an epiphytic cactus endemic to Brazil, known for its flat oblong stems and small white flowers. It grows in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and is threatened by habitat loss.
Echinocereus reichenbachii ssp. fitchii
Echinocereus reichenbachii ssp. fitchii, known as Fitch's hedgehog cactus, features pink-purple flowers with a dark burgundy center. It blooms from late April to late June and requires well-drained soil and sunny positions. This cactus is cold-resistant and needs winter dormancy with reduced watering.
Rhipsalis paradoxa
Rhipsalis paradoxa is an epiphytic cactus native to Brazil, recognized for its unique chain-like stems formed by three-angled ridges. It thrives in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and is suitable for hanging baskets. This plant prefers bright, indirect light and produces small white flowers along its pendulous branches. It is currently threatened by habitat loss.
Xiquexique gounellei
Xiquexique gounellei is a frost-hardy cactus native to Brazil, known for its columnar growth habit. It requires a rich, well-draining substratum and full sun exposure. This cactus is sensitive to rot in humid and low-temperature conditions, needing regular watering in summer and dry conditions in winter. It can withstand short periods of temperatures as low as 30°F if kept very dry.
Escontria chiotilla
Escontria chiotilla is a tree-like cactus native to parts of Mexico, including Guerrero and Oaxaca. It can grow up to 7 meters tall and features dark red fruit similar to Pitaya. The cactus has 7 or 8 acute ribs and is adapted to full sun exposure, making it suitable for arid environments.