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.
The pincushion cactus is a member of the Mammillaria genus comprising over 200 species. They are native to various countries, including Mexico, the USA, The Caribbean, Honduras, Guatemala, and Colombia. Related species are the old lady cactus, the owl’s eye, and the fishhook cactus. Mammillaria is great cacti to add to your indoor plant collection….
Monkey tail cactus, also known as Cleistocactus Colademononis or Hildewintera Colademononis, is a rare species native to the Bolivian countryside in Santa Cruz. It has long stems with white and soft, hairlike spines, which define its name. This cactus commonly grows on steep rocks and cliffs in the wild with stems hanging downwards. It is…
The rat tail cactus (Aporocactus flagelliformis) is an epiphytic plant native to Mexico. It has long trailing stems with short sharp spines. The plant is green when young but becomes a beige at maturity. It blooms in spring and early summer with just a few violet-red, pink, or orange flowers. In the wild, rat tail…
Dog tail cactus (Strophocactus testudo), also known as Pitaya De Tortuga, is an epiphytic plant with long tail-like trailing stems dotted with tiny spines. It is native to tropical South American forests and grows on tree branches. This plant blooms in summer or early fall, producing fragrant white flowers that open at night. It is…
Rooting hormone is a chemical substance applied to plant cuttings to stimulate faster and strong root development. The product also protects against fungal and bacterial infections that may affect the formation of new roots on the cuttings. While rooting hormones are perceived to increase the success rate of a propagation process, they are rarely essential,…
The Fishbone cactus (Disocactus anguliger), also known as the Ric Rac orchid cactus, is a popular indoor plant native to the evergreen forests of Mexico. Its stems are arranged in a zigzag pattern, making it resemble the skeleton of a fish. Fishbone cacti can be grown indoors or outdoors, depending on the climate. They prefer…
Cacti plants are adapted to growing in arid and semi-arid areas where the soil is loosely textured and less nutritious. If you want these plants to thrive in your home or garden, then you have to grow them in soil that mimics these conditions. Regular potting soil is notably heavy and thus not suitable for…
The saguaro (Carnegiea gigantean) is the largest cactus species in the United States, native to the Sonoran Desert in Arizona. It is an iconic plant that was declared the official state cactus of Arizona. Although not an endangered species, saguaro fall under protected Arizona native plants. This means that harvesting, possessing, or transportation of saguaro…
Cactus species like the Peruvian apple grow taller and may easily fall over and get damaged when the top section becomes too heavy for the roots to support. Plants that don’t receive adequate light and those with shallow or damaged root systems are also prone to tipping over. My bunny ear cactus growing long and…
Dragon fruit cacti are known for tasty, nutritious fruits natively called pitaya or pitahaya. The plants are also commonly used as rootstocks in crafting the moon of cactus. It is a fast-growing climbing cactus native to tropical Mexico, Central America, and South America. In the United States, dragon fruit can grow outdoors in USDA plant…