Cacti are a type of succulent plants known their ability to survive in hot and dry conditions. They have unique and interesting shapes that makes gardeners and plant enthusiasts to love them. Holiday cacti in particular produces colcorful blooms around the winter holidays.
It is relatively easy to care for a cactus plant, but there are a few conditions you have to meet for them to thrive including:
Under right care, cacti are long-lived and low-maintenance plants that can add a unique touch to any indoor or outdoor space.
Below are a collection of posts exploring on care requirements for various cacti plants.
Fungicides are helpful in controlling and even preventing fungal infections in plants. Often, cacti and succulents are prone to fungi when grown in damp or poorly lit conditions. Getting leaves wet when watering and poor air circulation also increase the chances of an infection. Many fungicides made from chemical compounds can cause serious damage to…
Cacti have low watering and fertilizer needs making them easy to care for as houseplants. However, they require a boost for healthy growth and better flowering. The easiest way is to use homemade fertilizers, which are safe to use on plants and around children and pets. When using commercial cactus fertilizers, there is always the…
Pink flowers are visually striking and can make your collection stand out. Besides, it’s a color frequently associated with love, admiration, and compassion. There are hundreds of plants with pink flowers but I always prefer cacti because they are easy to care for. As drought-tolerant plants, their watering needs are low. Cacti also have unique…
What fascinates me about cacti is sometimes their strange-looking shapes. The unique design contributes to maximizing water storage and minimizing water loss through evaporation. Features like ribs, globules, and creases reduce surface area for water loss. As you know cacti are desert plants with adaptive features that make them survive dry conditions. Their fleshy stems…
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 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 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…
The Brain Cactus (Mammillaria elongata Cristata) is a unique plant that looks like a human brain or a clump of worms. The crested shape is as a result of mutation that causes its stems to grow in a fan-like shape. It’s a visually striking plant perfect for bonsai or Halloween decorations. Originating from Mexico, this…
The spiral aloe (Aloe polyphylla) is a beautiful and rare succulent currently facing extinction. It’s a highly sought-after evergreen plant known for its spiral growth habit. With its enchanting compact rosette, this aloe has become the dream of every houseplant lover. Besides being ornamental, Spiral aloe is commonly used for ‘muthi’ (traditional medicine in Southern…
Cacti are commonly defined by clusters of spines on their stems. While this gives them a unique appearance, it raises questions regarding their potential toxicity. In this guide, I’ll explain whether cactus spines are poisonous or not and what to do if they prick your skin. Spines are actually modified leaves or specialized structures that…