A cactus is a member of the Cactaceae plant family, a family of the order Caryophyllales, which has about 127 genera and some 1,750 known species. Cacti are among the most fascinating and diverse succulent plants, offering various shapes, sizes, and vibrant colors.
From the saguaro cactus with its sharp spines to the small species, there is a cactus for every garden. Some species, like the Christmas cactus and Easter cactus, have beautiful pink, white, and purple flowers that add a touch of beauty to any room. Other varieties, such as the prickly pear cactus, are visually appealing and produce fruit.
For those interested in unique and striking cacti, the moon and star cacti stand out with their bold, colorful flowers and eye-catching appearances. Whether you’re drawn to their sharp reddish spines or the bright yellow flowers of a golden barrel cactus, they make an interesting and low-maintenance addition to desert landscapes, tropical forests, and home gardens.
Types of Cactus Species
Some popular types include the tall saguaro cactus with its iconic arms, the round and spiny barrel cactus, and the vibrant prickly pear cactus. Others, like the Christmas and Easter cacti, are prized for their colorful blooms.
1. Chin Cactus (Gymnocalycium baldianum)
The Ric Rac Cactus, also known as the Fishbone Cactus, is an eye-catching epiphytic cactus plant native to Mexico’s tropical regions. Unlike globe-shaped cacti like the Fishhook Barrel Cactus, this plant features long, segmented stems with a distinctive zigzag pattern resembling a fishbone.
Its vibrant green stems, adorned with soft spines, create a vine-like appearance, making it ideal for hanging baskets or elevated displays.
Unlike many cactus plants adapted to arid conditions, it thrives in humidity. It produces bright white or magenta flowers, emitting a subtle fragrance contrasting beautifully with its stems. Much like the quirky Monkey Tail Cactus, this unique plant is a standout addition to any collection.
Ideal Growing Conditions
- Botanical Name: Gymnocalycium baldianum
- Zone: 9b to 11
- Size: Typically grows up to 3-5 inches in diameter, with a rounded, globe-shaped form.
- Care Requirements: Bright, indirect sunlight and optimal watering
- Soil: Well-draining cactus mix or sandy soil
- Season: Blooms in spring or summer, producing small pink flowers that add vibrant color to the cactus.
2. Buddha’s Temple Cactus (Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus)
Buddha’s Temple Cactus, also known as Living Rocks Cactus, is a fascinating and unique cactus species native to northeastern Mexico. It has a distinctive flattened, somewhat disk-like structure that mimics the look of a small temple.
The body is covered in thick, leathery tubercles (protrusions), typically light green or grayish. The cactus has soft, golden-yellow spines that give the plant an earthy, muted look. Unlike some cacti, such as the mistletoe cactus, it is a spineless variety, making it easier to handle.
In late fall or early winter, the Buddha’s Temple Cactus produces small, funnel-shaped, typically pink or white flowers. These flowers bloom from the center of the plant, adding a splash of color to the otherwise muted tones of the cactus.
Ideal Growing Conditions
- Botanical Name: Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus
- Zone: 9b to 11 (prefers bright light and dry, arid climates)
- Size: Typically grows to about 3-6 inches in diameter, with a flattened, cylindrical form.
- Care Requirements: Bright light and full sun
- Soil: Well-draining cactus mix or sandy soil to promote proper drainage and prevent water accumulation
- Season: Blooms in late fall to early winter, producing small, pink or white blooms
3. Tiger Jaws (Faucaria tuberculosa)
Tiger Jaws, also known as Faucaria or Tiger’s Jaw, is a small but striking succulent native to South Africa, commonly recognized for its unique, jagged-edged leaves. The plant forms a compact rosette of thick, fleshy, triangular leaves with sharp, tooth-like projections along their edges, resembling the jaws of a tiger.
The leaves are typically a pale green or grayish, often tinged with red or purple along the margins, creating a striking contrast. It has yellow flowers with a star-like shape and is large in comparison to the tiny leaves. This creates a beautiful contrast against the plant’s structure.
Ideal Growing Conditions:
- Botanical Name: Faucaria tuberculosa
- Zone: 10 to 11 (prefers warmer climates, can tolerate light frost)
- Size: Grows to around 4-6 inches in height and 6-8 inches in diameter.
- Care Requirements: This succulent prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil
- Soil: Well-draining cactus, succulent mix, or sandy soil with added perlite for extra drainage.
- Season: Blooms in late fall to early winter, with bright yellow star-shaped flowers.
4. Crinkle Leaf Plant (Andromischus cristatus)
Crinkle Leaf Plant, also known as Crinkle Leaf, is a distinctive and compact succulent native to South Africa. It features thick, fleshy, dark green leaves with a crinkled or wavy texture. The leaves are cylindrical, resembling tiny, finger-like stems covered in a soft, waxy coating.
This succulent produces small, star-like pinkish flowers that appear in clusters. These delicate pink blooms add a beautiful contrast to the dark green stems of the plant, creating an eye-catching display. Although not as vibrant as the cactus flowers found on varieties like the Thanksgiving cactus or the claret cup cactus, its soft blooms are still lovely.
Ideal Growing Conditions
- Botanical Name: Andromischus cristatus
- Zone: 9b to 11 (prefers bright sunlight and dry, arid conditions)
- Size: Typically grows to 4-6 inches tall and 6-8 inches wide.
- Care Requirements: Bright, indirect light and it is drought-tolerant, so it doesn’t require frequent watering
- Soil: Well-draining cactus or succulent mix, with added sand or perlite for better drainage.
- Season: Blooms in late spring to early summer
5. Old Lady Cactus (Mammillaria hahniana)
Old Lady Cactus, also known as the Lady Cactus, is a charming member of the Mammillaria genus, native to Mexico. This beautiful cactus has a globe-shaped body covered in clusters of fine, hair-like spines that resemble soft, white, or silvery “hair,” which gives it its unique and adorable appearance.
Unlike many other cacti with sharp, painful spines, the spines are soft. It typically features a dark green or bluish-green body, and the spines are arranged in concentric circles around the cactus, giving it a textured and spiky look, much like the silver ball cactus.
During the blooming season, it produces small, funnel-shaped pink or white flowers at the top of the cactus in a circular pattern, creating a beautiful display.
Ideal Growing Conditions
- Botanical Name: Mammillaria hahniana
- Zone: 9b to 11 (prefers warm climates and dry conditions)
- Size: Grows to about 6 inches tall and 4-5 inches in diameter, with a round, compact shape.
- Care Requirements: Full sun, survives dry conditions, and requires minimal watering
- Soil: Well-draining cactus or succulent mix, with added sand or perlite to ensure good drainage.
- Season: Blooms in late spring to summer, producing small clusters of pink or white flowers.
6. Rainbow Hedgehog (Echinocereus rigidissimus)
Rainbow Hedgehog, also known as the Pink Flowered Hedgehog Cactus, is a striking cactus native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. This cylindrical cactus stem has long, golden spines.
The sharp spines often have a subtle reddish or yellowish tint. The cactus’ body is typically a rich green, contrasting beautifully with the spines. As it matures, it can form clusters of more miniature cacti, creating a stunning display that mimics the rainbow hues of its vibrant flowers.
The Rainbow cactus produces funnel-shaped, night-blooming flowers ranging from magenta to bright pink. It may also create smaller orange-red flowers in certain conditions, adding even more color to the plant’s vibrant display. These flowers bloom in clusters, making them an eye-catching addition to any garden.
Ideal Growing Conditions
- Botanical Name: Echinocereus rigidissimus
- Zone: 8b to 11 (prefers dry, arid regions and can handle high heat)
- Size: Up to 12 inches, with a spread of 6-8 inches when mature.
- Care Requirements: Thrives in bright sunlight and it is an easy-to-grow cactus that requires minimal water
- To ensure proper drainage, Soil is a well-draining cactus or succulent mix, with added sand or perlite.
- Season: Blooms in late spring to early summer, producing colorful clusters of magenta or orange-red flowers.
7. Ric Rac Cactus (Epiphyllum anguliger)
Ric Rac Cactus, also known as the Fishbone Cactus, is native to the tropical greeneries of Mexico. Unlike most cacti, it thrives in humid environments and often grows in tree branches, making it an excellent choice for hanging baskets or high shelves.
It has distinctive, flattened, zigzagging stems that give it its “fishbone” appearance. These trailing stems can grow long and are usually a rich green, with slight silvery-white or yellowish spines. The fragmented stem gives it a delicate, almost vine-like look compared to the cylindrical shape of many other cacti.
This epiphytic cactus produces stunning flowers that are typically white or magenta, with a subtle fragrance that can fill the air during blooming. These bright flowers contrast beautifully against the plant’s green stems, making them stand out in any collection.
Ideal Growing Conditions
- Botanical Name: Epiphyllum anguliger
- Zone: 10 to 11 (prefers warmer, tropical climates with humidity)
- Size: Grows up to 12-18 inches in length, with trailing stems that can extend several feet in ideal conditions.
- Care Requirements: Prefers bright, indirect sunlight and enjoys higher humidity,
- Soil: Well-draining cactus or succulent mix enriched with organic material to mimic the plant’s natural tropical environment.
- Season: Blooms in late fall to early winter, producing small clusters of white or magenta flowers.
8. Turk‘s Cap Cactus (Melocactus spp.)
Turk’s Cap Cactus, also known as Melocactus, is native to the tropical regions of southern Texas, Mexico, and parts of the Caribbean. It is particularly famous for its unique, globe-shaped body typically covered in dense, white spines.
The plant’s body can be a deep green, and as it matures, it develops a distinctive, reddish, or silvery white “cap” on top, formed by dense clusters of wool-like fibers. The cactus flowers are small and typically pink, often blooming in clusters around the top of the plant, just below the cap, adding a lovely pop of color to the otherwise spiny cactus.
Ideal Growing Conditions
- Botanical Name: Melocactus spp.
- Zone: 10 to 11 (prefers hot, arid climates and can handle some drought)
- Size: Typically grows up to 12-18 inches in height, with a rounded, globe-shaped body.
- Care Requirements: Thrives in full sunlight, well-draining, sandy soil and requires minimal watering
- Soil: Well-draining cactus mix or sandy soil
- Season: Blooms in the warmer months, usually in late spring or summer, producing clusters of pink blooms.
9. Cereus Cactus (Cereus peruviana)
Cereus Cactus, also known as the Peruvian Apple Cactus, is a tall, columnar cactus native to South America, often found in Peru and northern Brazil. This striking cactus is part of the Cereus genus. Its thick, upright stems can grow up to 20 feet tall in ideal conditions.
The cactus has smooth, dark green to bluish-green stems with white spines. Unlike many cacti, such as teddy bear cholla or organ pipe cactus, the Cereus Cactus is a spineless variety.
Its flowers are typically white with a hint of pink, creating a stunning nocturnal display. After blooming, the cactus produces edible fruit—often referred to as “Peruvian apples“—which is sweet.
Ideal Growing Conditions
- Botanical Name: Cereus peruviana
- Zone: 9 to 11 (prefers warm, dry climates with plenty of sunlight)
- Size: Grows up to 20 feet tall in ideal conditions, with a cylindrical form and thick stems.
- Care Requirements: Thrives in full sunlight, well-draining soil, and prefers to be watered moderately
- Soil: Well-draining cactus mix or sandy soil
- Season: Blooms in summer, producing large pink or white blooms that open in the evening.
Conclusion
The cactus family offers various shapes, sizes, and features, making them a unique addition to any garden or indoor space. Whether you prefer the iconic cylindrical cactus, the compact and decorative small clumping cactus, or the intriguing spineless cactus, there’s a type to suit every plant enthusiast.
These slow-growing cacti, adorned with striking features like silvery white spines, not only add beauty but also require minimal care compared to other plants. Exploring the world of clumping cacti or branching out to other unique varieties can be rewarding for anyone passionate about greenery.
