These 10 Flowering Cacti Will Spice Up Your Houseplant Collection
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If you’re ready for something beyond the typical houseplant, venture into the world of flowering cacti! These fascinating plants are an amazing addition to any houseplant collection and have an allure that’s entirely different from traditional tropical houseplants such as fiddle leaf fig or vining pothos. “They’re an acquired taste, but there’s so much variation in this group,” says Debra Lee Baldwin, author of Designing with Succulents. “Their flowers are neon bright and have an edgy juxtaposition of symmetry and sculptural form with a fairytale-like appearance.”
With an array of shapes and textures, these amazing plants have adapted to their climates by being able to store water in their leaves and stems. “All cacti are succulents, though not all succulents are cacti,” says Baldwin. “Their defining characteristic are the spines which have developed to protect the body of the plant.”
Because they’re extremely slow-growers, flowering cacti are ideal for small spaces—including apartments. They’re also fascinating close up because when viewed from the top, many flowering cacti have a gorgeous arrangement of spines in spirals. But be wary: The spines vary from tiny, soft points to extremely vicious spikes if you happen to make contact with them, so keep these plants away from kids and curious pets.
As you may have guessed, cacti need bright light, and enjoy basking in the sunshine on your patio or deck in warm climates such as USDA Hardiness Zones 10 and warmer (find your zone here). In colder climates, they make unique houseplants. Just make sure to give them direct sunlight, or invest in an LED grow light to keep them happy. “They’re sun bathers and want as much sunlight as you can give them,” says Baldwin.
Finally, be sure not to overwater cacti, which is the surest way to kill any kind of succulent, says Baldwin. Make sure the pot has drainage holes, and give them a drink only when the soil feels completely dry.
Ahead, our favorite types of flowering cacti. Some have a common name while others are known mostly by their botanical names. Consider this your official flowering cactus guide.
Old Lady Cactus (Mammillaria hahniana)
This fun cactus with the somewhat unflattering name is adorable! This clumping cactus has stunning spines and texture with lots of wispy white hairs. Teeny hot pink flowers appear in a ring around the top.
Thimble cactus (Mammillaria gracilis fragilis)
This whimsical little cactus looks amazing alone or in a combination pot. The tiny spheres clump together in clusters, and it has sweet little butter yellow flowers.
Ric Rac Cactus or Fishbone Cactus (Epiphyllum anguliger)
This tropical cactus, which actually is native to the rainforests of Mexico, has an irresistible zig-zagging leaf shape! Rarely, you’ll enjoy short-lived but large night-blooming flowers that resemble orchids. The plant is easy to grow and is especially striking in hanging baskets.
Rainbow Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus rigidissimus rubrispinus)
This is the prettiest little pink hedgehog you'll ever see! The elaborate hot pink flowers are extremely eye-catching.
Holiday Cacti (various)
You have probably heard of the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii), which is another type of tropical cactus. Its relatives, Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) and Easter cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri), are similar, but they bloom closest to the holidays for which they are named.
These plants are often confused and mislabeled, even by retailers. But they are equally stunning when their hot or pale pink, coral, or white flowers appear, and they all require the same care.
Give them bright indirect light, rather than direct sunlight. They also need a long period of uninterrupted darkness (no table lamps) at night, starting in the fall, to set buds.
Peanut Cactus (Echinopsis chamaecereus)
This cute cactus forms clumps, which resemble peanuts standing on end. The stems can grow up to a foot long, and the orange-red flowers are absolutely gorgeous!
Mammillaria Elegans
The rounded shape of this cactus is adorable! With dense clusters of wooly spines, it gets tiny pink flowers in a crown shape. In time, this cactus can form clusters.
Parodia haselbergii
This small rounded cactus has tons of delicate white spines with a background of green ribs. The orange-red flowers atop a stem are beautiful in contrast to the profusion of spines.
Domino Cactus (Echinopsis subdenudata)
This small round cactus, which only reaches about 3 inches tall and 4 inches wide, is dotted with wooly white areoles. The large, striking trumpet-shaped flowers appear in summer.
Mammillaria carmenae
An almost perfectly round shape makes this cactus so appealing. It’s covered with clusters of reddish, starburst-shaped spines. It’s a relatively fast grower, as cactus go.
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