I have always wondered what eats my cactus. In spite of thorns, it seems some animals use cacti plants for food and shelter. Many rodents, birds, and mammals rely on the flowers, fruits, and stems of cacti for survival. Cactus is also a great source of water for most desert organisms. For birds, cactus is…
The Easter cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri) is a beautiful plant that blooms in the spring near the Easter holiday. The prolific star-shaped flowers can last for weeks giving plenty of spring color. Flower colors range from white to red, orange, peach, lavender, and pink. Like its cousins, the Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus, this tropical cactus is…
Paddle plant (Kalanchoe thyrsiflora), also called flapjacks, dog tongue, or desert cabbage is an amazing succulent with large, fleshy, paddle-shaped leaves that stack one on top of the other like pancakes. It blooms in late winter to early spring with a tall flower forming at the center of the rosette. Native to South Africa, the…
Lithops popularly known as the living stones are small low-growing plants that resemble pebbles. These beautiful succulents rarely grow more than 1 inch above the surface. They come in a range of subtle colors perfect for any space. Native to South Africa, their stone-like texture and compact size allow them to thrive in sandy and…
The Indian corn cob (Euphorbia mammillaris) is a columnar cactus-like plant that grows into dense clusters. The chalky green stems are ribbed and occasionally covered with blunt spikes that resemble toothpicks. From late winter to early summer, this succulent produces yellow flowers. Native to South Africa, the Indian corn cob cactus is a drought-tolerant plant…
The paper spine cactus is a unique and attractive plant for any garden. It is a bushy plant covered with long white papery spines and a ring of glochids – short hair-like spines found in the areoles of the stems. The plant looks great in pots especially when grouped with other plants. Native to South…
The propeller plant is one of the few succulents that does well indoors. Its fleshy sickle-shaped leaves that resemble airplane propellers are attractive enough, but the plant also offers a pop of summer color with stunning red flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Flowering occurs from late spring to mid summer typically…
The lifesaver cactus (Huernia zebrina) is a unique and rare succulent with stunning features that can excite anyone. This plant produces star-like yellow flowers usually patterned with wine-red zebra stripes and a conspicuously thick rubbery ring at the center that resembles a lifesaver candy. Native to Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, it is…
Easter lily cactus also known as the Night-Blooming Hedgehog or Sea-Urchin Cactus is a beautiful plant that blooms around Easter to mid-summer. The showy white to light pink funnel-shaped flowers have a sweet scent that can spruce up your holiday mood. This fast growing cactus has a clumping habit. Its globular stems are heavily ribbed…
Edithcolea grandis, commonly known as the Persian carpet flower, is a captivating succulent with unique patterns on its petals. The showy flowers, resembling a woven Persian rug, are known for producing a pungent, carrion-like smell that attracts flies for pollination. This plant is native to East Africa and the Arabian peninsula. It is named after…