The cactus family has its roots in exotic locations, but today, most of the species are effectively grown to enhance the appearance of our outdoor rock gardens and indoor pots with their unusual shapes. What’s even more exciting is that cacti have the ability to bloom, which makes them the center of attention in any room. These small and spiky plants transform into surprisingly delicate flowers that can rival the perfection of orchids. Take a look at our assortment of Flowering Cactus Plants and be awed by their unexpectedly unique beauty. Let’s start with the Bishop’s Hat Cactus.
The Bishop’s Hat is a cactus species that originates from the northern regions of Mexico and usually grows on limestone at elevations of 1500-2000 m. Its striking appearance is characterized by succulent ribs that are accentuated by white curved scales, giving it a sculptural look. During summer, it produces beautiful bell-shaped yellow blooms that exude a delightful fragrance. While it is relatively easy to cultivate, this cactus grows at a slow pace and is susceptible to rotting. Its botanical name is Astrophytum myriostigma. This information was sourced from Monaco Nature. Additionally, another common name for this plant is the Old Lady Cactus.
Encounter the Old Lady Cactus mainly in South America, southern areas of North America, and desert regions. The Mammillaria is a striking cactus with a pleasing oval form and is one of the simplest flowering cacti to cultivate. It prefers bright spots in offices or homes and produces small pink flowers. Like most cacti, it thrives in sunny areas and requires regular watering during the summer. Its botanical name is Mammillaria hahniana. Another cactus worth mentioning is the Fairy Castle Cactus.
This charming little cactus is perfect for indoor and office spaces. It is known for its unique shape, featuring stems with five sides and woolly spines. As it grows, it produces branches that slowly elongate, giving it a distinctive appearance.
Like all cacti, the Starfish Cactus requires plenty of sunlight and well-draining soil. While it rarely blooms, under optimal growing conditions, it produces large white flowers that bloom at night during the spring and summer.
Scientifically known as Cereus tetragonus, this cactus takes around ten years to reach maturity.
The Starfish Cactus can be found in tropical and subtropical regions as a rare succulent. Typically grown indoors, its spine-less thick stems are composed of segments measuring 10 cm in height. Its unique flowers take on the form of perfectly shaped five-ray stars in green and yellow hues and emit a foul odor that attracts various insects for pollination purposes. It is crucial to note that this cactus is sensitive to direct sunlight, which can cause damage during hot summer days. As such, partial shade is the ideal environment for the Starfish Cactus to thrive in, replicating its native habitat. Known by its botanical name, Stapelia, it blooms during the summer season. Additionally, the Easter Cactus is another variation of this unique plant.
The Christmas cactus is a unique plant with stem-like branches that gracefully hang in a cascading manner. These stems are rather flat and measure around 4 to 6 centimeters in length. The tips of the branches are not pointed, but rather cut, and this is where the stunning blooms of the cactus flourish. The flowers come in a range of colors, including red, orange, pink, and white, making it a popular choice for indoor houseplants during the colder months. The botanical name for this plant is Schlumberger truncata, and it typically flowers during fall and winter. Another interesting cactus is the Balloon Cactus.
Wow, have you ever heard of the Balloon Cactus? It’s pretty amazing! Not only is it easy to grow and blooms easily, but it’s also a protected species listed in the international red book. This cactus thrives in cool, dry fields up to 800 m. However, it doesn’t like low temperatures, so when the weather starts to drop, make sure to bring it indoors. The Parodia, also known as Notocactus magnificus, blooms in the summer with two large yellow flowers that have shiny petals. Another interesting cactus to check out is the Schlosser Cactus.
The Schlosser Cactus is a distinctive plant with a single stem that has a short cylindrical or spherical shape. When fully grown, these cacti can reach up to 1 meter in height. The dark green stems are ribbed and have sheaves of red and yellow spines at the top of the ribs. The flowers, which have a bell or funnel shape, bloom at the top of the stem and come in a range of colors including orange, red, and yellow. Unfortunately, the beautiful flowers only last for 7 days. The Schlosser Cactus is also known as Notocactus schlosseri and blooms in the summer. This information was provided by Welgrow Horti Trading. Another popular cactus is the Rosy Pincushion Cactus.
The Rosy Pincushion Cactus is originally from Mexico, and it features a shiny green stem that comes in either an oval or spherical shape. Typically, this cactus is on the smaller side, measuring up to 12 cm in height and 8 cm in diameter. The funnel-shaped flowers are concentrated at the top of the cactus and have a pale violet hue with a diameter of around 2 cm. Its botanical name is Mammillaria zeilmanniana, and it can bloom at any point throughout the year. Another interesting cactus to consider is the Lincoln Gem Cactus.
Originating from Argentina, this particular cactus gets its name from the Greek term chamai, which means “creeping on the ground.” It has a small stem with a maximum diameter of just 1cm and can grow up to 10cm in height. The branches are lengthy and colored light green in a typical fashion. After three years of growth, the plant blooms flowers that last only two days. These flowers are wider than the stems and have a bright orange color with a diameter of around 3cm. Chamecereus silvestri is the botanical name of this cactus, and it flowers during the summer months. Additionally, the Powder Puff Cactus is a drought-tolerant plant and one of the top 40 most beautiful plants for minimal maintenance landscapes.
The Powder Puff cactus, found in Mexico, is a rare and protected plant that has a unique hemispherical shape covered with soft white spines. It has a speedy growth rate and produces small offsets around the parent plant. Its flowers come in different colors such as white, yellow, pink or red, but are rather small in size. If you plan on cultivating this cactus in your garden, keep in mind that it can only thrive in zones 9b to11b, otherwise, it should be placed indoors in a pot. Scientifically known as Mammillaria bocasana, this cactus blooms during springtime according to Mountain Crest Gardens. Apart from the Powder Puff cactus, there’s also the Rat Tail Cactus to discover.
Originating from Mexico, the Aporocactus is a type of cactus that has six species in nature, but only the Aporocactus flagelliformis is suitable for domestic cultivation. Its light green stems have hanging ribs that give it a unique appearance. The spines are short and resemble fur, with a yellow-brown color. The cactus produces stunning, large pink flowers that can reach up to 7 cm in diameter, making it even more attractive when they bloom abundantly. It is relatively easy to care for, requiring only the removal of thin or damaged sprouts. Its botanical name is Aporocactus flagelliformis, and it usually blooms at the end of winter. Another cactus worth mentioning is the Silver Torch Cactus.
The Silver Torch Cactus is a well-known and popular cactus variety due to its straight and slender green-grey stems that can reach up to 3 meters in height. Despite their impressive height, the stems are only 15 cm in diameter and are densely covered in spines, giving the cactus a hairy appearance. This cactus species produces numerous red flowers that are long and tubular in shape, but they only grow on plants taller than 45 cm. The Silver Torch Cactus, also known by its botanical name Cleistocactus strausii, blooms at the end of summer. Another notable cactus species is the Dutchman’s Pipe Cactus.
The Dutchman’s Pipe Cactus is a unique species that resembles a water lily or an orchid, but it actually belongs to the cacti family. Its large flowers bloom at night and have a diameter of approximately 20 cm. Interestingly, the stems of this cactus have evolved into flat and fragile leaves, which allows new leaves to emerge from existing ones. To witness its beautiful flowers, one must wait for three years of growth and observe them only at night when the petals open up. This cactus is scientifically known as Epiphyllum oxypetalum and blooms during spring and summer. Hence, it is also referred to as the Orchid Cactus.
The orchid cactus is easily distinguished by its lengthy, fleshy, flat stems that hang from the base of the cactus. The foliage has the ability to grow to impressive lengths. This particular species is especially appealing due to the exquisite flowers it produces. These blossoms emerge from notches in the stem and if pollinated, produce edible fruits. The flowers are quite stunning and display delicacy and perfection, however, they tend to wither away fairly quickly. Scientifically known as Epiphyllum hybrids or Phyllocactus, this variety typically blooms during the summer season. Additionally, another common name for this plant is Spider Cactus.
The spider cactus is called as such because of its small, curved spines that resemble spider legs. Its glossy and round stem has rounded ribs and soft spines. It is a flowering cactus that is easy to cultivate, needing full sunlight, adequate watering, and occasional fertilization. During summer, it blooms with creamy white flowers that can reach up to 7 cm in diameter. The botanical name for this plant is Gymnocalycium oehnanthemum. Mama Nene’s Garden shares this information. Another type of cactus is the Beavertail Cactus.
The Beavertail Cactus is a stunning cactus that produces beautiful rose-colored flowers and has numerous flattened blue-grey pads. With its flat stems and clustered arrangement, it’s the perfect addition to a rock garden. Its botanical name is Opuntia basilaris, and it flowers from spring to early summer. Additionally, the Aƴlostera Cactus is another interesting cactus species to consider.
The Aƴlostera Cactus is a charming little cactus that grows in clusters and creates low groups of branches at ground level. When it blooms, it produces delicate pale pink flowers from the lower half of its stems. Interestingly, the flowers are so large in comparison to the stems that they sometimes obscure them from view.
While this cactus grows slowly, it is quite easy to take care of. It can be incorporated into a beautiful rock garden or can make for an interesting addition to an indoor garden collection.
If you’re looking for this cactus by its botanical name, you’ll want to search for Rebutia narvaecensis. And if you’re hoping to see it bloom, keep an eye out in the springtime for its lovely flowers.
Finally, if you’re interested in adding another cactus to your collection, consider the Sulcorebutia Cactus.
The Sulcorebutia Cactus is a popular type of cactus that can be found all over the world. Its distinctive shape features a round and cylindrical stem with a flat top, adorned with a plethora of brightly colored flowers. Although it grows at a slow pace, it produces long and sturdy spines that contribute to its robust appearance. The color of the stem ranges from green to grey-brown and has a thick and powerful root system. During late spring, a beautiful wreath of flowers blooms at the top of the stem, making it an eye-catching addition to any garden. This particular type of cactus is scientifically known as Sulcorebutia albissima. Another well-known variety is the Lobivia Cactus.
The Lobivia Cactus, named after Bolivia where it originates from, is a small succulent plant with a cylindrical stem and big flowers that are equivalent to the stem’s size. This cactus thrives under direct sunlight in warm temperatures with moderate watering from March to September. On the other hand, during winter, watering should be limited to once a month. Its botanical name is Echinopsis densispina Werderm, and it blooms in the spring season. Another cactus species worth mentioning is the Mammillaria Cactus.
The Mammillaria Cactus is known for its spherical stem that rapidly branches out to form clusters. The stems are green in color, but their thick white spines give them a greyish appearance. During the summer, the cactus blooms bell-shaped flowers that are brightly purple. It goes by its botanical name, Cochemiea guelzowiana. This cactus is also commonly referred to as Monk’s Hood Cactus.
The Monk’s Hood Cactus is a distinctive cactus that stands alone and reaches up to 2 meters in height with a width of 30 centimeters. Its cylindrical shape is covered in protective white flakes, making it an ideal centerpiece for a rock garden with well-drained soil. This cactus thrives in filtered light or shade and can withstand cold temperatures as low as 25°F. The plant produces beautiful yellow flowers during the summer months. Also known as the Astrophytum ornatum, this cactus is a unique addition to any garden. Another popular cactus species is the Rebutia Cactus.
The Crown Cactus is an absolutely stunning succulent that showcases beautiful fire-orange flowers. This cactus is known for its ability to thrive in tough environmental conditions, making it one of the hardiest species out there. Its stem is small and cylindrical, with vertical ribs, measuring about 2 cm in diameter. However, it can grow quite tall. The flowers appear at the top of the stem and are also around 2 cm in diameter. With proper care, these flowers can remain for several weeks during springtime. The botanical name for this species is Rebutia heliosa. This information was first reported by Garden Chronicle. Another amazing cactus to look out for is the Golden Barrel Cactus.
A fantastic addition to your winter garden or windowsill is the plump, round Chin Cactus. This particular plant thrives in sunny locations with well-draining soil and requires consistent watering during summer. Once it reaches a diameter of 30 cm, its bell-shaped flowers bloom and can grow up to 5 cm in diameter. Its scientific name is Echinocactus Grusonii, and it typically flowers during the spring season. Don’t miss out on this stunning 24th addition to your cactus collection!
The Chin Cactus is a stunning member of the cacti family that hails from Argentina and thrives in altitudes ranging from 800 to 1550 meters above sea level. It is known for its exquisite lilac flowers that emit a delightful fragrance, making it a popular choice among plant enthusiasts. Its unique characteristics include a single matte green spherical stem and straight needle-like spines, making it easily identifiable. Scientifically referred to as Gymnocalycium neuhuberi, this species blooms during the summer months. Another fascinating cactus worth mentioning is the Strawberrƴ Hedgehog Cactus.
The Strawberrƴ Hedgehog Cactus is a plant that usually grows in groups, and it can have up to 20 stems. It is popularly used as a decorative plant in its natural habitat and as a potted plant in other areas.
This cactus has short stems with thick spines covering them, and the flowers bloom on the upper half to one-third of the stem, showcasing a beautiful magenta shade and funnel shape.
Its botanical name is Echinocereus engelmanii, and it blooms during the summer season.
Additionally, the Peanut Cactus is another type of cactus worth noting.
The peanut cactus is a delightful cascading succulent that can be grown with ease in your garden. Its elongated stems adorned with gentle spines create clusters, producing a picturesque cascading effect. The name peanut cactus is derived from the shape of its sprouts, which resemble peanuts. It is unable to perform photosynthesis, so it needs to be planted over other cacti to ensure its survival. This charming plant goes by the botanical name Echinopsis chamaecereus and blooms during the summer season. This information was sourced from Garden Lover and image credit goes to Pinterest.