14 Best Cactus Plants for your Home & Garden
Cactus is a very exclusive and famous plant. It is known for its variety of species, each of which is very different in appearance. They grow in dry and hot climates. Unlike most plants, cactus requires very little water and grows in well-drained areas. They store the water they get by allowing them to survive the drought.
Succulents and Cacti are terms that are used interchangeably, however they are not always the same. All cacti are succulents but not vice versa that means all succulents are not cacti. Cacti have structures called areolas, small softened shapes that produce spines, branches or hair, that state their family. Many succulents do not have areolas, so they are classified into another plant family.
Although cacti are usually assumed as desert plants, they can also grow in a home atmosphere. We have divided the species into indoor and outdoor cactus plants. To help you decide which plant is best for you, check each one’s appearance, water consumption, and sunlight requirements.
Indoor Cacti Varieties
While cacti are known for their affection towards sunlight, many grow well as indoor plants. Add one to your window ledge or living room for some exceptional decoration. Indoor cacti incline to need less light and are smaller in size, making them excellent houseplant.
1. Bunny Ears Cactus (Opuntia Microdasys)
The bunny ears cactus is known for its appearance. They have two plugs that are bunny ear shaped. They are enclosed with glochids or brown prickles and should be kept with care. This cactus grows to two or three feet, making it the best indoor plant. It produces white blossoms and purple fruits in the summer if visible to sufficient light.
- Water every 3-4 weeks
- Partial sunlight
2. Chin Cactus (Gymnocalycium)
Commonly known as the chin cactus, the Gymnocalycium is a South American species. It’s name means “naked kalyx” in Greek which refers to the deficiency of hair or spines on the flower buds. Subject to the variety, some chin cacti pursue shade while others grow well in sunlight.
- Water once a week
- Partial sunlight
3. Saguaro Cactus (Carnegiea Gigantea)
The Saguaro cactus can grow up to forty feet, but it grows gradually. This means it can be used as a houseplant for years before you need to relocate it outdoors. It has a barrel-shaped figure, giving it the typical cactus appearance. Innate to the Sonoran Desert, this plant needs plenty of light. If kept as a houseplant, make sure to keep it in direct sunlight.
- Water once a month
- Full sunlight
4. Old Lady Cactus (Mammillaria Hahniana)
The old lady cactus is a kind of cushion cactus in the mammillaria family. It has spines and hairs and is known for its halo of small pink or purple flowers that flower in spring. The old lady cactus should be established in a sandy potting mix and watered every week.
- Water once a week
- Full sunlight
5. Star Cactus (Astrophytum Asteria)
The star cactus is known for its round body that’s segmented into eight slices. It is enclosed with white hairs and little white dots. In the spring it flowers a yellow blossom. It only grows two to six inches in diameter, making it a perfect indoor plant.
- Water once a month
- Above average sunlight
6. Easter Cactus (Hatiora Gaertneri)
The Easter cactus (Hatiora gaertneri) blossoms in late winter and early spring. Its blossoms differ from whites to oranges to lavenders. The plant’s spines are set on top of each other, giving it an inimitable shape.
- Water once a week
- Partial sunlight
7. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera Bridgesii)
The Christmas cactus flowers in late winter. It often mistaken with the Thanksgiving cactus. It has vibrant red blossoms and is a collective holiday gift. The Christmas cactus grows well indoors, in adequate home conditions. Prevent watering too much because this will cause the roots to decay. This plant can adjust to low light conditions, but blooms best with more light.
- Water every 3-4 weeks
- Partial sunlight
8. Moon Cactus (Gymnocalycium Mihanovichii)
The moon cactus differs in size, shape and color. It is also known as chin cactus. A famous variety is the hibotan cactus. It is native to South America and comes in bright reds, pinks, yellows and oranges. These small plants grow well on windowsills that get partial light.
- Water every 3-4 weeks
- Partial sunlight
Outdoor Cacti Varieties
When you portrait a cactus, you possibly picture a huge structure in the dessert. Even if many varieties flourish in the wild, some do well in the ease of your yard. Depending on what weather you live in, an outdoor cactus could be the best addition to your backyard.
9. Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus)
The barrel cactus is known for its barrel or circular shape. Ribs line the sides of the plant and spiky spines raise from them. Some famous varieties include the golden barrel, california barrel, fishhook cactus, blue barrel and colviller’s barrel. Blossoms flower in May and June, exhibiting red or yellow colors.
- Water every 3-4 weeks
- Partial sunlight
10. Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera Truncata)
The Thanksgiving cactus, also known as the crab cactus, flowers around the time of the holiday. It continues to flower into the winter months, requiring cooler temperatures to thrive. This plant grows well in cooler climates, but must be in an area that does not have cold.
- Water once a week
- Partial sunlight
11. Queen of the Night (Epiphyllum Oxypetalum)
The queen of the night, also known as dutchman’s pipe cactus, is an epiphyllum cactus that grows on trees. It’s innate to Brazil and produces large white blossoms. This cactus is known for its affinity to be a night-blooming plant. Using faintly acidic soil will inspire the queen of the night to bloom more often.
- Water once a week
- Partial sunlight
12. Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia)
The prickly pear cactus is very famous in drought-prone regions. Some general variations are the beavertail prickly pear and the Indian fig prickly pear. The prickly pear grows well in yards, but huts its spines, so may not be for everyone. This cactus flowers yellow, red or purple blossoms.
- Water every 3-4 weeks
- Above average sunlight
13. Cholla Cactus (Cylindropuntia Fulgida)
The cholla cactus has a round stalk with shrill spines. There are more than 20 species in different sizes in the plant family. They flower green or orange blossoms. The cholla cactus doesn’t require much water, but needs plenty of light.
- Water once a month
- Full Sunlight
14. Totem Pole Cactus (Pachycereus Schottii Monstrosus)
The totem pole cactus acquires its name from its tall figure, growing to be ten to twelve feet in height. The totem pole cactus is surfaced with wrinkles. Even though it grows well in light, the noon sun can hurt the plant.
- Water once a month
- Partial sunlight
Cacti are an exclusive addition to any home or garden. Whether you choose to plant an outdoor cactus in your yard or add a cactus and succulent arrangement to your windowsill, they are low maintenance plants that are very easy to care for.
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