Want a No-Fuss, Always-Green, Houseplant? Try These Cacti
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Sure, we love our striking snake plant, vining pothos, and colorful aglaonema plants. But what about shaking things up with a cactus? Cacti have personality plus, and some have the most beautiful flowers as well.
Cacti vary in their size, habit, and bloom time. But they're easier to grow than you think and make a fun addition to your houseplant collection. Because they survive drought by storing water in their leaves, stems and roots, they're the ultimate in easy-care plants. Plus, some of them are just plain adorable!
Just remember: Many of them are slow (very slow!) to moderate growers, adding only an inch or two of height per year. They also take a painfully long time (years and years) to grow from seed, so if you're interested in a plant you can enjoy now, invest in a plant.
Cactus Care
While they grow in-ground in warm regions of the country, cacti also make fun houseplants if you give them a sunny windowsill. To ensure your cacti thrive, indoors or out, most need direct sunlight with no drafts. But they'll also do well under LED grow lights if you don't have adequate light.
Besides plenty of light, they also should be watered sparingly. Most can dry out completely before they need a drink. The worst thing you can do is overwater them because they'll rot and die in a hurry.
Also, some types of cacti aren't the best choices around curious kids or pets because of their spines. For families, choose types of cacti, such as holiday cacti or ric rac cactus, that don't have dangerous prickly spines.
One side note: Some plants that are called "cactus" aren't actually a cactus when it comes to botanical classifications but belong to a different or related group of plants, such as succulents or euphorbia. However, we've include them on our list because they're commonly referred to as a cactus. In addition, their care is similar to cacti and they often share traits that are reminiscent of cacti, such as storing water in their leaves and stems.
More Great Easy-Care Plant Ideas:
Old Lady Cactus (Mammillaria hahniana)
The funny name may not be the most flattering, but it's an adorable cactus that is easy to grow. It gets a ring of pretty hot pink flowers in spring if it receives cooler temperatures (45 to 55 degrees) in winter. Water when mostly dry.
Bloom time: Spring
USDA Hardiness zones: 11
Rainbow Hedgehog (Echinocereus rigidissimus)
With a rounded form and a striking geometric pattern of spines, the colors shift from pink to yellow as it ages. It needs bright light to form bright pink blooms. It also prefers drought, so be sparing on the water.
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
USDA Hardiness zones: 10 to 11
Little Mouse (Rebutia miniscula)
This small clumping cactus is too cute! There's lots of variation in its appearance, but it typically has rounded clumps with slender funnel-like flowers that may be red, yellow, orange, or white. Water when mostly dry.
Bloom time: Mid-spring
USDA Hardiness zones: 10 to 11
Tom Thumb (Parodia mammulosa)
This cactus has a rounded shape and flattened top with 18 vertical ribs and sharp spines. This cactus prefers bright, indirect, rather than direct, sunlight. Water when mostly dry. The golden yellow flowers are 2 inches wide.
Bloom time: Spring
USDA Hardiness zones: 7 to 10
Scarlet Ball (Parodia haselbergii)
This small rounded cactus has a profusion of delicate spines, giving it an almost fuzzy appearance. The gorgeous orange-red flowers are a beautiful contrast to the white spines. It needs bright sunlight and infrequent watering.
Bloom time: Late winter
USDA Hardiness zones: 10 to 11
Two-spined Cactus (Mammilaria geminispina)
This cylindrical cactus often grows in groups. Give if full sun to encourage thick spine formation. Let it dry completely between waterings. The magenta flowers are striking against the white spines.
Bloom time: Spring
USDA Hardiness zones: 9 to 11
Easter Lily Cactus (Lobivia ancistrophora)
These small rounded cacti have many ribs and stout spines. They're known for their wooly areoles and large pink or white lily-like flowers on wooly stems; they open in the evening and close by mid-day. Give it direct sunlight, with shade in the afternoon if grown outdoors. Water when mostly dry.
Bloom time: Spring, summer
USDA Hardiness zones: 8 to 11
Monkey Tail Cactus (Cleistocactus colademononis)
This cute cactus is long and slender with fuzzy, hair-like spines. At first, the stems are upright, but as it matures it begins to trail up to 5 feet long. Give it full sun to part shade, and water when completely dry. Its orange-red flowers are tubular.
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
USDA Hardiness zones: 9-11
Torch Cactus (Trichocereus grandiflorus)
This columnar cactus is best known for its stunning floral display of midwinter blooms in pink, red, yellow or orange. It needs full sun but will tolerate part shade. Water when it feels completely dry.
Bloom time: Winter to early spring
USDA Hardiness zones: 8 to 11
Prickly Pear (Opuntia spp)
Prickly pear cactus have flat, oval pads covered in spines. Pollinators love the pink blossoms, and the flowers are a beautiful contrast to the the stark spines of this plant. There are many different varieties with varying degrees of cold hardiness. Give prickly pear full sun and water when completely dry.
Bloom time: Spring
USDA Hardiness zones: 5 to 9
Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii)
This erect, tree-like cactus has a trunk topped with branches covered in silvery spines. From a distance, it looks like the arms of a cuddly teddy bear! Give it full sun and barely water. It's a true desert cactus. Greenish flowers appear on the tips of stems.
Bloom time: Summer
USDA Hardiness zones: 1o to 11
Blue Candle (Myrtillocactus geometrizan)
This columnar cactus has a blue-ish color. Large showy flowers appear when in bloom. Give it full sun, with part shade in very hot desert climates.
Bloom time: Spring
USDA Hardiness zones: 9 to 11
Angel Wing (Opuntia microdasys)
Also called bunny ears cactus, this handsome plant has big, flat stem-like pads with cottony-looking dots called glochids. But these barbed bristles can pierce gloves, so handle with care. The pads are produced in pairs (like ears or wings!). Give it full sun and water sparingly when mostly dry. Yellow cup-shaped fowers appear rarely.
Bloom time: Rare; spring or summer
USDA Hardiness zones: 9 to 110
Miniature Saguaro (Euphorbia aeruginosa)
What a cool plant! This dwarf cactus has copper-green branches with reddish spines. It does particularly well in pots and grows more quickly than some cacti. It needs part sun. Water when mostly dry. It gets tiny yellow flowers between the spines.
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring
USDA Hardiness zones: 10 to 11
Cathedral Cactus (Euphorbia trigona)
This interesting plant may be called a cactus, but it's actually a succulent. It is fast-growing with triangular stems that develop small leaves on its new growth. This columnar plant needs direct sun. Water when mostly dry. It rarely flowers, especially as a houseplant.
Bloom time: Rare; spring or summer
USDA Hardiness zones: 9 to 11
Sand Dollar Cactus (Astrophytum asterias)
The distinctive markings on this cactus give it its name because it resembles a sand dollar. It also keeps a somewhat flattened shape. Give it full sun to part shade, and water when completely dry. Its pink or yellow flowers have orange centers.
Bloom time: Mid-summer
USDA Hardiness zones: 9 to 11
Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata)
Thanksgiving cactus is a long-lived type that doesn't have prickly spikes, so it can be grown around kids and pets. It can live for decades with the right care.
It's related to Christmas cactus, which is more difficult to find because it's more fragile to ship, and Easter cactus, which has more star-shaped flowers.
All three types need similar care with bright light and total darkness for 12 to 14 hours, starting in the fall, to rebloom. Water when mostly dry.
Bloom time: Late fall to early winter
USDA Hardiness zones: 10 to 11
Read more: How to Tell a Thanksgiving and Christmas Cactus Apart
Thimble Cactus (Mammillaria gracilis fragilis)
This adorable little cactus has short spiny stems and yellow flowers in spring or summer. It's a good choice for new plant parents because it's not too fussy. Give it full sun to part shade. Water when mostly dry.
Bloom time: Spring, late summer
USDA Hardiness zones: 9 to 11
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii)
This type of cactus is relatively fast-growing and keeps its cute rounded shape. They can grow up to five feet tall outdoors, though they make a fun windowsill plant indoors. Give it full sun, and water when mostly dry. Bright yellow flowers appear when the plant is at least 15 years old.
Bloom time: Summer
USDA Hardiness zones: 9 to 11
Peanut Cactus (Echinopsis chamaecereus)
With a name this cute, you simply have to grow this one! Peanut cactus is an adorable clumping cactus with stems that can curl up to 10 inches long.
It's easy to grow and is especially appealing in a pot. The spines are softer to the touch than many other cacti. Give it bright sunlight and water when mostly dry. It gets large orange flowers if conditions are right.
Bloom time: Late spring
USDA Hardiness zones: 10 to 11
Mistletoe Cactus (Rhipsalis baccifera)
Pencil-thin, trailing stems make this cactus (though it's actually a succulent!) a real showstopper as it matures. It's a tropical epiphyte, like orchids, which adapts well to indoor care. Give it bright, indirect light and water when dry to the touch. The blooms appear on the tips of stems.
Bloom time: Spring, summer
USDA Hardiness zones: 9 to 10
Ric Rac Cactus (Epiphyllum anguliger)
How could we not love a cactus nicknamed after one of our favorite country trims? They grow especially well indoors in a sunny window. It also has stunning night-blooming fragrant flowers, though they rarely occur indoors. Give it bright, indirect light and water when mostly dry.
Bloom time: Late summer to fall
USDA Hardiness zones: 10 to 11
Saguaro Cactus (Carnegiea gigantea)
The tree-like saguaro cactus is native only to the Sonoran Desert and can live for 200 years! Its super-slow growth rate (about an inch per year for the first eight years of its life) keeps it petite if grown indoors. Give it direct sunlight, and water when completely dry. White flowers, which only bloom for less than a day, appear at the tops of stems. Interestingly, they are pollinated by bats.
Bloom time: Late spring
USDA Hardiness zones: 8 to 11
Fairy Castle Cactus (Acanthocereus tetragonus)
Who knew a cactus could be charming? The varied stems resemble the turrets of a castle, making it the perfect addition to any whimsical garden. Heads up: It's a very slow grower. Give it full sun, and let it dry out completely between waterings. The large flowers, which don't occur until the plant is about a decade old, open at night and close in the morning.
Bloom time: Summer
USDA Hardiness zones: 10 to 11
Feather Cactus (Mammillaria plumosa)
The white "feathers" on this cactus look fluffy and soft, but be warned: the younger, shorter spines below that innocuous-looking facade are super-sharp! Its cute rounded shape and sweetly scented flowers make it worth growing. Give it full sun and water when completely dry.
Bloom time: Late summer
USDA Hardiness zones: 9 to 11
Moon Cactus (Gymnocalycium Mihanovichii )
Moon cactus is a popular addition to a succulent garden thanks to its bright color. The hybrid plant is actually two types of cacti grafted together. Give it morning sun, afternoon shade, and water when completely dry. It produces pink flowers, though rarely.
Bloom time: Spring
USDA Hardiness zones: 11
Easter Cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri)
Easter cactus blooms in early spring, but even without the bright flowers, the green segments make for an attractive plant year round. Like other holiday cacti, Easter cactus prefers bright light but not direct sunlight, which will burn its leaves, which technically are flattened stems. Water when mostly dry.
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring
USDA Hardiness zones: 10 to 11
Read more: Easter Cactus Care Tips
Ladyfinger Cactus (Mammillaria elongata)
Ladyfinger cactus is a sweet addition to a succulent garden. This petite cactus has clusters of cylindrical stems and yellowish spines that give it an overall golden appearance. Give it direct sunlight, and water when mostly dry. Small yellow flowers appear if conditions are ideal.
Bloom time: Late winter to spring
USDA Hardiness zones: 9 to 11
Rat Tail Cactus (Aporocactus flagelliformis)
The distinctly unattractive name isn't really fair to this plant! Rat tail cactus has long trailing stems and pretty pink flowers, so it's a fun addition to any houseplant collection.
It's actually a succulent. Give it bright, indirect light, and water when mostly dry. It develops gorgeous flowers on the ends of stems in shades of pink, red, or purple.
Bloom time: Spring and summer
USDA Hardiness zones: 10 to 11
Bishop's Cap Cactus (Astrophytum myriostigma)
The star-shaped bishop's cap cactus features a short-blooming yellow flower. Its silvery sheen gives it an interesting appearance, As you'd guess, it gets its name from the shape resembling a bishop's cap. Give it bright, indirect light, and water when mostly dry. It produces pale yellow flowers with a bright orange center.
Bloom time: Summer
USDA Hardiness zones: 9 to 11
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