The 10 Best Types of Cactus Plants You Can Grow at Home

Cacti may not get all the attention of other houseplants such as the flashy Swiss cheese plant or the hard-to-kill snake plant, but they can be a great addition to your garden, indoors and out. With amazing variety and texture, they’re actually a type of succulent, which is any plant that survives drought by storing water in its leaves, stems or roots. “All cacti are succulents, though not all succulents are cacti,” says Debra Lee Baldwin, succulent expert and author of Designing with Succulents. “But cacti are among the world’s most resilient and adaptable plants, and they last forever in pots.”

Cacti grow in the ground in warm climates or in pots that can be brought indoors if the weather gets extremely hot or cold. Give them a sunny windowsill with no drafts, or set them under a grow light for optimal results. Otherwise, they tend to stretch toward the light and become unattractive. Outdoors, cacti typically like full sun unless it’s boiling hot, which is when they benefit from a little shade or shelter from a taller plant. Also, make sure not to drown them. “Cacti really resent too much water, and the roots will rot,” says Baldwin. So, err on the side of caution and water only when the soil feels dry. Finally, cacti with super-sharp spines are not pet or kid-safe, but they can make impressive accent plants in the right setting.

And now that you know how to take care of them, learn more about the various types of cactus plants you can grow yourself.