25 Flowering Cactus Plants to Enhance the Garden
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If you are a beginner in gardening and want to explore more about growing flowering cacti, you are at the right place. Growing cactus is extremely popular amongst beginners for these two reasons. One of the reasons is that it isn’t easy to kill them, and the second is that they can thrive well even under your negligence.
Flowering cactus comes in different sizes, shapes, colours, and varieties. Hence, that makes them unique and different from other plants. You can use these gorgeous, sturdy plants to make your space look like a decorative piece of art by styling it on your showcase shelf or hanging it on your window makes a good view.
Therefore, in this article, you can dig down some growing tips about cactus plants, including 25 different flowering cactus varieties that you can cultivate in your indoor garden or landscape. Moreover, you can expect a care guide that suits the cactus plant you decide to grow.
Flowering Cactus Varieties to Plant In Your Garden
Growing cacti is never leaving its place on the trend list because you won’t need to hassle to cultivate them. Moreover, these plants come in various shapes and sizes, making them a brilliant option for every gardener to plant in their space or a pot. However, if you think that cactuses are only green and thorny, you are wrong because there are many flowering cactus plants that you can grow in your garden. In this blog, you will go through 25 beautiful flowering cactus varieties to plant in your garden.
1. Argentine Giant Cactus
The argentine giant cactus or Echinopsis candicans is a species that grows up to 24 inches taller and spreads across its base. Argentines are clump-forming cylindrical cactus that tends to look sprawl or lean. This flowering cactus forms pups that may later form clumps on the bottom of the plant. Moreover, the cactus looks cylindrical and has a green stem that catches everyone’s attention. Therefore, You will be able to see the plant blossoms with large, funnel-shaped, fragrant, white flowers that have a yellow centre blooming in the late spring.
2. Crown Cactus
The crown cactus or Rebutia is a native plant in Argentina and Bolivia with a large, showy flower that looks like a crown over the cactus. You can find these cacti growing in high-elevation areas like mountains or hills. The characterization of these flowering cacti by granular stems and beautiful flowers is generally shorter in length. Moreover, the varieties range from red to white which practically blooms in season from late winter to early summer. Rebutia cacti are popular in horticulture and home decor markets because of their large, showy flowers, which appear to be bigger than the body of the plant.
3. Sand Dollar Cactus
Sand Dollar Cactus or Astrophytum asterias is a species of flowering cactus that you can find in small parts of Mexico, Texas, and the United States. The species are a round, small, and spineless plant that grows up to 2.5 to 6 cm in height with a width/diameter of 5 to 15 cm. The disc-shaped flowering cactus that have 7 to 10 sections is known as ribs, and in the middle of each rib, there are woolly-looking areolas. The flower of this cactus is elegant yellow flowers with red insides, while the outer part of the flower is very woolly.
4. Devil’s Tongue
This flowering cactus is by far the most suitable one for people who love Northeastern succulents. This plant is also known as a smooth prickly or low prickly pear, and it is the only cactus plant that you will find on the Northeastern side. The cactus is a low-perennial plant that produces a bright yellow flower that later precedes to be edible fruit. Mexican cuisine has been using its fruit for years now because of its taste. Hence, the fruit and pads of the plant have been a part of their cuisine for thousands of years now.
5. Queen of the Night Cactus
If you want to enjoy the beauty of this cactus, then you will need to stay awake at night. The Queen of the Night cactus is a unique and special orchid cactus that you can plant in your garden for its late-night blooming beauty. The flower looks majestic, like a waterlily, and would suit your landscape to make it beautiful. However, the blossoms are sweet in scent and have narrow petals that look circular in appearance while it sits on the stem, as a nocturnal species.
6. Indian Head Cactus
Indian head cactus is also known as Parodia Ottonis, probably available in the regions of South Africa. You can find this flowering cactus in the natural habitat of the area without the worry of its extinction any time sooner. The species holds many variables that display different specimens with widely inconsistent characteristics varying from region to region. Moreover, some local kinds pop-ups all the time with minor differences, but they are essentially the same plant as per the experts. Therefore, if you want to grow striking yellow flowers with a red centre then cultivate these cacti in your background and go for it.
7. Powder Puff Cactus
The Powder Puff Cactus is one of the most popular flowering cactus of the cacti family. If you have been to a nursery before or spent your days in the garden, then you may already have spotted this plant there. These flowering plants belong to the Mammillaria genus, which contains more than 275 species. Although there are some difficult-to-maintain plants, other plants of the genus are easy to grow, such as powder puff cactus and some more common varieties. The cactus grows rapidly and is native to Mexico. The cactus produces round, small offset clusters around the plant. The blossoms of the flowering cactus are white with yellow insides that look gorgeous in your garden.
8. Barbary Fig
Barbary fig commits to various species of cactus that are commonly known as nopal or prickly pear. This flowering cactus belongs to the native of Mexico, but you can find this plant in the areas of North Africa and the United States. Moreover, the cactus produces fruit once a year during a season and is edible. People prefer to call the fruit by different names, such as tuna, cactus pear, prickly pear, and barbary fig. The flower of the barbary fig is light orange or reddish and blooms around early summer or spring.
9. Saguaro Cactus Flowers
Each season, the flowering cactus, Saguaro produces one of the most elegant and gorgeous flowers of the Sonoran desert. The blossoms of this flowering cactus are white flowers with yellow inside, and it blooms at the end of the day or night. Moreover, this flowering cactus plant is mainly pollinated by bats, birds, and insects. The centre of this flower smells like a pungently sweet melon. Hence, bats, birds, and other wildlife animals can’t get enough of it.
10. Orchid Cactus
The big, gorgeous, cup-sized blooms of the orchid cactus are what make it popular amongst gardeners to grow. You can show these pink, red, orange, and yellow blossoms off by hanging them in a basket or pot that allows long stems to cascade over. These flowering cactus are forest cacti with flat, long, and succulent schemes which produce these incredible blooms. The plants are easy to care for, you can propagate them effortlessly, and they even are very tolerant. The foliage of these cacti grows to impressive length, and depending on the species, it can reach up to 2 feet to 10 feet in height.
11. Fairy Castle Cactus
If you are a beginner gardener and want to grow amazing succulents in your garden, then the fairy castle cactus is the best choice for you. These flowering cactus are slow growing, and rather they do well inside than outside. The fairy castle cactus has needs like typical succulent plants. Hence, it is best to let the soil dry out before you water the plant again. However, these plants take years before they mature enough, so they rarely bloom while producing yellow or white flowers.
12. Moonlight Cactus
Moonlight cactus, also known as moon cactus, is a genus of about 20 species of the cacti family. These plants are native to subtropical and tropical America and the West Indies. The flower from this species is generally known for its sweet, fragrant large white blooming flowers which bloom and their life expectancy is usually one night. The fruit of this plant is fleshy and looks spiny and red when it gets mature. And see if you are a night owl, then go for this genus and plant it in your home garden to enjoy its serene beauty.
13. Easter Cactus
Whenever you think about Easter, you may only think about all the recipes that you want to cook or about the other plans that you have for the holiday. However, If you are one of those, who like to put Easter decorations, then you will definitely like Easter cacti because of their vibrant nature. This flowering cactus is easy to care for and grow. Hence, you only need to water the plant when the soil surface feels dry upon touch while avoiding direct sunlight. The bloom of the flowering cactus is similar to its name; the flowers have elegant white and blush pink at the edge. As the flowers bloom around the festival, you can show them off as your Easter decoration.
14. Christmas Cactus
If you love festivals and cacti, you can bring Christmas cacti to your home, as you can never go wrong with Christmas plants. Moreover, these flowering cactus plants are easy to care for, and you can propagate them effortlessly. The blooms are vibrant shades of red, purple, and pink, which can give you the vibe of Christmas Eve. Whether you are an expert or a novice gardener, you can always grow this plant in your home garden to elevate the beauty of your landscape. Therefore, this flowering cactus thrives in the winter season, and you can also give Christmas cactus as a thoughtful present.
15. Monk’s Hood Cactus
The fascinating-looking plant named monk’s hood cactus, also known as the star cactus, is much more descriptive than it looks. This small succulent can be your best friend as it is easy to grow and care for. Moreover, this flowering cactus plant has an interesting geometric form. Hence, if you look at the sides of the plant, you will notice the window panes have spines decoration. Moreover, if you look at the plant from above, you can’t miss the star shape with around eight ribs. The blossoms of the flowering plant pose its elegance with pure white petals and yellow inside.
16. Pink Sensation Cactus
Pink sensation rebutia is a small cactus that is mostly liked by gardeners for its hot pink blooms. Moreover, the flowering cactus is easy to plant, and you can grow it successfully if you care for it diligently. The cylindrical cactus grows up to approximately 3 to 4 cm tall with the habit of a clumping cluster that grows up to 15 cm in width. The pink sensation is native to South America and grows in particularly high-elevation regions in Bolivia and Argentina. Around the spring season, the blossoms are more mature than others, and flowers may only last for a few days. However, you can see the blooms on the larger plant to last over two weeks.
17. Sulcorebutia Cactus
Sulcorebutia is one of the plants that look beautiful even without its blooms. This flowering cactus is known for its perfectly neat and symmetrical spination and its yellowish-orange flower that looks like a crown over the plant. Moreover, the large flowers look elegant and grow 2.5 to 3 cm long. The usual blooming season of this flowering cactus plant is late winter to spring. The plant bears reddish-brown fruits each season. Hence, if you are into symmetry, this plant is the best choice for you.
18. Balloon Cactus
The balloon cactus is one of the most rare and beautiful plants, native to South America. Moreover, the cactus is also known as Notocactus Magnificus, and it is a desert variety that does not tolerate frost. Although it is not a common house plant like other indoor cacti, it can be a good collection for indoor gardeners. The round shape of the cacti and its green, blue stems makes it better than others. Balloon cactus is considered to be fast-growing and can reach up to 12 inches in height. The flowering cactus produces a bright yellow flower that blooms in summer on the top of the cactus plant.
19. Golden Barrel Cactus
Golden barrel cactus or golden ball is a plant that people frequently grow as a house plant, but it is close to its native habitat. However, gardeners use this flowering cactus in their outer gardens in dry climates, where the temperature is mostly above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The cactus blooms if it is inside,but it is possible to bloom the cactus if you create an identical ideal situation for it to grow. The plant has to be at least 15 years old before it produces flowers while being an indoor plant. The flowers blossom mostly in spring or in summer.
20. Twin-Spine Cactus
Two spine cacti are densely spined cacti that aggressively cluster and form 1-3 feet large clumps on the base of the plant. These plants are short cylindrical, light green with a diameter of 8 cm and a height of up to 18 cm. Little surround in shape with latex. The axles are 10 to 20 long bristles and are with white wool. The blossoms of this flowering cactus plant are generally bell-shaped, the colour varies from pinkish to carmine red with mid veins and grows up to 2 cm long, and the diameter is usually like a ring.
21. Bishop’s Hat Cactus
Bishop’s hat cactus is also known as Bishop’s cap cactus and Bishop’s mitre cactus; he is a species of the spineless cactus family that is native to Central Mexico and Texas. The plant is a common ornamental species that is usually up to 39 inches in height and 8 inches in diameter. The flowering cactus has 4 to 5 distinct ribs that may increase up to 8 or more as it grows. The flowers have a vibrant yellow colour and have numerous petals. The blossoms usually appear in early spring or summer during the day.
22. Chin Cactus
Chin cactus is a genus having about 50 species of the cactus family and is native to South America. King cactus is mostly found in warm regions such as Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. The plants are available in many varieties in both natural and cultivation as a common ornamental. The small plant is cylindrical or globose in shape that holds a spine-bearing areole on the ribs. You can expect the plant to produce some showing flowers ranging from white, cream, pink, yellow, or red in shades. Therefore, you can grow these flowering cacti in your garden to make it look elegant.
23. Mexican Fire Barrel Cactus
Mexican Fire Barrel cactus, also known as Ferocactus Pilosus, is a striking barrel cactus with thick reddish spines. The flowering cactus initially has a globe shape, but it grows tall. The species has become aboriginal to Mexico, but it’s still grown as a house plant in temperate climates. One of the most amazing features of the plant is that the lifespan of a barrel cactus is around 50 to 100 years. Therefore, the plant needs direct sunlight all the time during the day. Moreover, the plant has sharp thorns, which can hurt people easily. Hence, it is better to place them in an area with fewer people around so it does not brush accidentally, causing others to get injured. The plant produces flowers, mostly orange or red, which eventually feel like a fire.
24. Rosy Pincushion Cactus
Rose pincushion cactus has a globular-shaped appearance of its stems that grows into a cylindrical shape plant until it becomes mature. The flowering cactus grows up to 5 inches in height and 3 inches in width. The cactus features four central spines that later form clusters of hair-like soft spikes (15-18). The flowers are generally pale pink or purple blooms with a yellow inside that grows all over the cactus stem, creating a blanket of blossoms on the flowering cactus.
25. Torch Cactus Flowers
The torch cactus is fundamentally one of the several cylindrical ribs of the cactus plant, native to South America, and is typically cultivated as ornamentals. Moreover, several segments of the Echinopsis genus are named torch cactus. The flowering cactus golden torch has erected cylindrical stems branching from the base to rise above 2 meters in height and 7.5 cm in width. Therefore, the plant produces funnel-shaped white fragrant flowers, which grow up to 8 inches and bloom at night.
Conclusion
Growing cactus is quite effortless, and maybe as an expert or a beginner gardener, you may want to grow cacti for many of its benefits. Therefore, you may like these plants for their tolerant nature and the ability to grow even with little care.
Hence, we hope that in this article, you got to figure out that with their tolerating nature, they can also produce beautiful flowers that look as elegant as any other plant. In this comprehensive guide, you get an insight about 25 varieties of species and genera of flowering cacti that you can grow in your garden to elevate its beauty.
Moreover, now you will be able to figure out different kinds of flowers that may suit your taste or the theme of your landscape.
