Plants in family cactaceae
Hatiora salicornioides
Hatiora salicornioides, also known as the bottle cactus or dancing-bones, is an epiphytic plant native to eastern Brazil. It grows to about 3 feet tall with a trailing habit, featuring stems composed of club or bottle-shaped segments. This plant produces small golden yellow flowers and translucent white berries, adding a unique charm to its appearance. Hatiora salicornioides prefers loose, well-drained soil and bright light or morning sun, making it an excellent choice for hanging baskets or as an ornamental plant in bright indoor spaces.
Copiapoa esmeraldana
Copiapoa esmeraldana is a cactus native to the Atacama Desert in Northern Chile, known for its yellow, campanulate, scented flowers. It forms large clumps and requires full sun, light watering, and good drainage. This plant is propagated by seeds or stem cuttings and should be kept warm and dry in winter.
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.
Echinocereus coccineus
Echinocereus coccineus, native to the Southwest US, is a striking cactus with bright orange flowers and thick clumping stems. It forms an 18-inch tall by 2-foot wide patch and requires excellent drainage. This plant is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, making it ideal for rock gardens and xeriscaping.
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.
Opuntia quimilo
Opuntia quimilo, commonly known as the Common Prickly Pear, is a cactus native to Argentina, characterized by its treelike form and distinct trunks. It can grow up to 13 feet tall and features long spines on older segments. The cactus produces shiny carmine or red flowers, adding a splash of color to desert or Mediterranean gardens. It is relatively fast-growing and requires full sun and well-drained soil. This cactus is hardy to 23°F for short periods, making it suitable for zones 8-10. Its striking appearance and resilience make it a popular choice for xeriscaping.
Cylindropuntia imbricata
Cylindropuntia imbricata, also known as the tree cholla, is a shrubby or tree-like cactus with cylindrical segments and long spines. It can grow up to 15 feet tall and is native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. The cactus produces dark pink to purple flowers with yellow stamens and white stigmas, typically blooming when the plant reaches about 2 feet in height. It is a hardy plant, tolerating full sun and a range of temperatures.
Browningia hertlingiana
Browningia hertlingiana, a columnar cactus native to southern Peru, can reach heights of 26 feet. Juvenile plants have a distinctive blue frosty covering, and it produces nocturnal white flowers in summer. This cactus is frost hardy and prefers full sun and well-draining soil.
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.
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.
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.
Rhipsalis pilocarpa
Rhipsalis pilocarpa is a popular houseplant known for its leafless appearance and trailing stems. It is easy to care for and adds a unique texture to indoor plant collections.
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.
Lepismium cruciforme
Lepismium cruciforme is a drought-tolerant cactus that thrives in ample light, ideally in a south-facing location. It requires porous, well-draining soil and minimal watering, with periods of drought between waterings. This plant can withstand temperatures as low as 40°F, making it suitable for indoor or outdoor cultivation.
Trichocereus bridgesii
Trichocereus bridgesii, also known as the 'Penis cactus', is a drought-tolerant plant that prefers sunny areas and well-draining soil. It requires more water than most cacti and benefits from monthly fertilization during the growing season. This cactus is cold hardy to -12°C and is susceptible to fungal diseases if overwatered.
Parodia magnifica
Parodia magnifica is a cactus native to the Americas, thriving in dry, arid climates. It is versatile for both indoor and outdoor spaces, making it a popular choice for cactus enthusiasts. This plant is well-suited for those looking to add a touch of desert beauty to their home or garden.
Opuntia cochenillifera 'Variegata'
Opuntia cochenillifera 'Variegata', also known as the Paddle Cactus or Joseph's Coat, is a naturally occurring variegated cactus with marbled white, creamy-white, yellow, green, and sometimes pink patterns. It forms shrubby or tree-like shapes with long, smooth, flattened stems and tiny hair spines. This cactus is native to Mexico and grows up to 50 cm in height, producing small red flowers in late spring and early summer.
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.
Gymnocalycium bruchii
Gymnocalycium bruchii is a cactus native to Argentina, forming multi-headed mats of dark green shoots with delicate violet-pink to white flowers. Its low, rounded ribs and tuberous form make it a unique addition to cactus collections.
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.
Echinocereus adustus ssp. schwarzii
Echinocereus adustus ssp. schwarzii, commonly known as 'Cereus adustus', is a cactus from Mexico that grows 4 to 5 inches tall. It blooms with pink flowers and requires well-drained soil and full sunlight.
Mammillaria plumosa
Mammillaria plumosa is a cactus native to Northeastern Mexico, recognized for its white downy spines and small white or greenish-yellow flowers. It grows to about 12 cm tall and 40 cm broad and is listed as 'Near Threatened' by the IUCN. This cactus must be grown under glass with heat in temperate regions and has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.