Cactus Varieties

Cacti come in different shapes and sizes. Some are covered in pointy spikes, while some bear beautiful and vibrant flowers. Many of these types make great houseplants. They’re easy to care for and can serve as captivating centerpieces to your garden. Certain species are great as outdoor plants, enduring even during dry and humid seasons, while some will best thrive by your window pane, basking in indirect sunlight.

Caring for Cacti

What’s remarkable about caring for cacti as houseplants is their minimal watering and care requirements. This makes cacti an ideal choice for beginners and for people who can’t be hands-on with their plants as much. Several popular indoor cacti, like the bunny ear cactus, Christmas cactus, and the balloon cactus, thrive best when planted in small pots.

On the other hand, other species of cacti are best grown outdoors. Living in warmer climates also helps when planning care for cacti as they can be used to decorate gardens that have trouble growing other plants due to the environment. The barrel cactus, prickly pear cactus, and saguaro cactus are great examples of cacti that can grow, even in harsh environments. 

Common Cacti Features

Cacti come in different shades of green. Most species have spines or barbed spikes. Some have softer spikes that lodge into one’s skin and cause irritation like the Prickly Pear. A common trait found in cacti is how they synthesize. Unlike most plants, cacti absorb carbon dioxide at night when temperatures are cooler. Many types of cacti that are commonly found in the desert have ribs along their stem that expand during heavy rainfall to collect large amounts of water.

Best Indoor Cactus

Bunny Ear Cactus

A popular choice among gardeners, the bunny ear cactus is easy to care for and blooms beautiful yellow flowers in the summer. As an added delight, its flowers eventually yield vibrant red fruits.

Balloon Cactus

This stunning globe-shaped cactus has yellow spines along its ridges, making it easily discernible among cacti. Like the bunny ear cactus, the balloon cactus also grows a bright yellow flower at the top.

Old Lady Cactus

The Old Lady cactus is spherical cactus covered with a dense array of spines and spikes. This cactus blooms reddish-purple flowers that encircle its uppermost region.

Christmas Cactus

The Christmas cactus is a beautiful plant that blooms flowers during the winter, hence its name. This cactus has trailing flowering stems making them perfect for hanging pots or on top of shelves.

Star Cactus

A small cactus native to Texas, this plant bears a resemblance to a sea urchin or sea star. This not-so-prickly cactus has pale-yellow flowers blooming from it during the spring, making it a popular ornamental plant. 

Best Outdoor Cactus

Golden Ball Cactus

Also called the lemon ball cactus, the golden ball cactus grows to heights of three feet, making it a perfect outdoor ornament for your garden. Its radiant, yellow color sets it apart from the typical greenery, making it a go to centerpiece for any garden.

Fence Post Cactus

As suggested by its name, the fence post cactus is perfect for the outdoors, often employed as a living fence around gardens and homes. Sometimes referred to as a Mexican fence post cactus due to their common appearance in that region of the world. These cacti can grow up to sixteen feet high, with their stems ranging between three to eight centimeters in diameter. 

Prickly Pear Cactus

Flat-stemmed and spiny as they come, prickly pear are one of the most recognizable species of cacti. They are a go-to choice for most gardeners because of how easy they are to care for, the beauty of the flowers they bear, and the various practical uses that come with owning these plants.

Orchid Cactus

This cactus can grow incredibly long, particularly in the tropics of South America, where it can reach a whopping two hundred and twenty five feet. The flowers that the orchid cactus bear are sought after as they shine bright red and pinks and can grow to about four inches. The orchid cactus is best planted in a hanging basket just like the Christmas Cactus. 

Candelabra Cactus

The candelabra cactus, easily distinguished from their cup shaped flowers that open in the morning and close in the evening, can reach heights of ten feet. This cactus is well-suited for the outdoor environment and holds the added allure of bearing edible fruit!

Why Consider Adding Cacti to your Collection?

Owning a cactus in your home offers a range of benefits. Whether you are seeking to improve your indoor air quality or simply prefer to have low maintenance plants in your home, the cactus is perfect for you! These unique plants absorb carbon dioxide in the evening. The extra production of oxygen from cacti will help you to sleep better at night. With the right steps and patience, these spiky plants also bloom bright and beautiful flowers that will surely stand out in anyone’s collection.

As long as you provide your cactus the love, minimal care, and attention they deserve, they will surely grow into captivating centerpieces of your garden or into beautiful ornamentals sitting by your window panes and shelves!