Plants in family cactaceae
Cylindropuntia ramosissima
Cylindropuntia ramosissima, commonly known as diamond cholla or branched pencil cholla, is a cactus native to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. It can grow up to 6 feet tall with narrow branches and cylindrical segments. The plant features small, orange, pink, or brownish flowers and dry, spiny fruit. It serves as a host for several moth species, including the Sphinx Moth.
Zygocactus 'Christmas Cactus'
Zygocactus, commonly known as Christmas Cactus, is a popular houseplant with leaf-shaped stem segments and curved, pointed teeth. It is known for its vibrant blooms during the holiday season.
Mammillaria bombycina
Mammillaria bombycina, commonly known as the silken pincushion cactus, is a vulnerable species native to Mexico. It features bulbous tubercles with white hairs and brown spines, and produces deep pink flowers in spring and summer. This cactus grows up to 8 inches tall and thrives in well-drained soil with ample sunlight. It is drought-tolerant and can withstand temperatures as low as 26.6°F.
Echinocereus arizonicus
Echinocereus arizonicus, also known as the Arizona claretcup cactus, is a striking cactus native to New Mexico and Arizona. It features deep red to bright orange-red flowers, sometimes with a lighter yellowish-green center. This cactus thrives in full sun and requires moderate watering, with less water needed in winter. It typically grows to about 15 inches tall.
Cephalocereus polylophus
Cephalocereus polylophus, also known as the crested cone cactus, is a fast-growing columnar cactus native to Mexico. It requires well-drained soil and abundant water during summer, but should be kept dry in winter. This cactus can be grown in rock gardens in mild climates and needs full sun exposure as it matures.
Selenicereus anthonyanus
Selenicereus anthonyanus, also known as Anthony's Rick Rack cactus, is native to southern Mexico and features unusual, leaf-like stems with deeply lobed edges. This epiphytic cactus blooms large, fragrant pink and white flowers that open for one night only. It thrives in well-draining soil with bright light and requires periods of dryness between waterings.
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.
Astrophytum ornatum
Astrophytum ornatum, commonly known as the Star Cactus, is a striking cactus native to Mexico's Central Plateau. It is the largest species in its genus, reaching up to 6 feet in height and 12 inches in width. This cactus is notable for its white woolly flakes that protect it from the sun and its canary yellow flowers that bloom in summer. It is cold-tolerant down to 14°F and has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. The Star Cactus thrives in well-draining, sandy soil and requires direct sunlight.
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.
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.
Stenocereus pruinosus
Stenocereus pruinosus is a cactus native to Mexico, known for its tree-like form with branching stems that can reach heights of 13 to 16 feet. It features a light glaucous trunk with dark green shoots and produces funnel-shaped white flowers near the shoot tips. The cactus bears green fruit tinged with red, containing edible red flesh. It is drought-tolerant and requires ample light, making it suitable for well-draining, porous 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.
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.
Acanthocereus tetragonus 'Fairy Castle'
Acanthocereus tetragonus 'Fairy Castle' is a distinctive cactus originating from Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America. It is known for its curvy, columnar shape, resembling the turrets of a fairy tale castle. This easy-care succulent thrives in bright light and is well-suited for small pots, making it a popular choice for indoor gardens and windowsills.
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.
Ferocactus recurvus
Ferocactus recurvus is a hardy, drought-tolerant cactus that thrives in sunny areas with ample light. It requires porous, well-draining soil and minimal watering, with drought periods between waterings. This cactus is known for its ability to reproduce in various ways and is well-suited to environments with high light exposure.
Coryphantha cornifera
Coryphantha cornifera, also known as the Rhinoceros Cactus, is a cylindrical succulent native to Mexico. It can grow up to 6 inches tall and is known for its slow growth and winter dormancy. The plant produces yellow flowers, occasionally tinged with red, and thrives in bright, direct sunlight. It is frost-tolerant down to 19°F and is suitable for hardiness zones 9a to 11b.
Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica
Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica is a slow-growing cactus native to Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It features a labyrinth undulated crested stem covered with creamy white wool on short spines. This plant is not frost-hardy and requires minimal watering, thriving in sandy, free-draining soil with ample light.
Mammillaria spinosissima
Mammillaria spinosissima, also known as the Spiny Pincushion Cactus or Red Headed Irishman, is a fast-growing cactus native to central Mexico. It thrives in well-drained sandy or loam soils with low humidity and full, filtered sun. This drought-tolerant cactus grows up to 12 inches tall and features purple-colored flowers. It is disease-resistant but can be susceptible to pests like mealybugs. The plant prefers a porous cactus mix soil and requires little watering, making it ideal for xeriscaping.
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.
Schlumbergera truncata
Schlumbergera truncata, commonly known as the Christmas cactus, is a popular winter-flowering houseplant native to Brazil. It features green, flat stem segments and pink flowers that bloom at the tips. This cactus thrives in bright, indirect light and requires well-draining soil. It is easy to propagate and can live for many years, making it a beloved addition to indoor plant collections.
Gymnocalycium andreae
Gymnocalycium andreae is a low-growing, prickly cactus native to Argentina, known for its blue-green to blue-gray shoots and bright yellow flowers. It forms groups up to 15 centimeters in diameter and prefers light shade and well-drained soil. This cactus is solitary in its natural habitat but can branch basally in cultivation, making it a unique addition to cactus collections.
Parodia herteri
Parodia herteri is a cactus species native to Brazil, characterized by its solitary cylindrical stems and 22 distinct ribs. It blooms with pale violet-pink to dark purple flowers in late spring and early summer.