Discocactus is a barrel-shaped cactus that grows no taller than 6 inches high. It has a wide and round body with many ribs and thick spines. Discocactus bears large whitish, funnel-shaped flowers that open at night. Discocactus are demanding and difficult to grow. They want an airy and warm bright location. The soil must be […] More
Melocactus–commonly called melon cactus or turk’s cap cactus–are heavily ribbed and heavily spined cactus that have globular or longish bodies. Melocactus form, bristly, felty cephalium (similar to a wool cap) which stands more than 3 feet taller than the body of the cactus. Cephalium is a colorful structure of colorful wool and bristles at the growing […] More
Aporocactus is a spiny long-stemmed, tailing cactus with leafless green stems. This creeping, slender cactus is nicknamed rat’s tails. Aprocactus is sometimes called a climbing cactus but it might better be described as a hanging or trailing plant. These spiny plants have aerial roots. The stems dangle or cascade down to 3 feet (1m) or […] More
Hylocereus is a tropical climbing cactus with brilliant flowers. Hylocereus is weak stemmed; their aerial roots need trees, fence posts, trellises, or other objects to cling to. Hylocereus is hardy to just 50℉ (10℃). Hylocereus must be protected from cool breezes and cold. They thrive in warm areas in partial shade. Hylocereus bear large, nocturnal […] More
Parodia is a globe or ball-shaped cacti. They produce numerous blooms once they reach 3 to 5 years old. Lage flowers are in shades of red, yellow, and orange. Parodia remains small, not growing to more than 10 inches tall. They grow individually or form small groups. Parodia is ideal for dish gardens, windowsills, and […] More
Notocactus are usually globular cacti commonly known as ball cactus. There are also some columnar-shaped Notocactus. Most plants are round when young, but become columnar with age. Notocactus can grow to 2 feet tall, but most are much smaller, just a few inches tall. Notocactus have many grooved ribs. They also bear numerous flowers–usually yellow, […] More
Ariocarpus–commonly called living rock cactus–are small flattened cacti with a wrinkled, leathery appearance. Ariocarpus range in size from less than an inch across to 12 inches across. Ariocarpus is a rosette of triangular, spineless nodes or tubercles. White, yellow, pink, or purple flowers rise from the crown of the plant. Ariocarpus are completely spineless. They […] More
Astrophytum are small hemispherical cacti with a few prominent ribs and a thin layer of white, woolly scales. Bishop’s cap, sea urchin cactus, sand dollar, and goat’s horn cactus are various names given to different species of Astrophytum. Astrophytum species diifer; some are completely spineless, others produce dense woolly hair..They produce single flowers–sometimes two or […] More
Gymnocalycium–commonly called chin cactus–are globular cacti that have chinlike protrusions right below each areole and spine cluster. Gymnocalycium is a large genus of about 40 species that ranges from dwarfs less than 2 inches across to others that are 8 inches tall and wide. Gymnocalycium flowers at a young age. Daisylike flowers range from white […] More
Echinocactus–commonly called barrel cactus–are free-flowering, barrel-type cacti with prominent ribs and heavy, colorful golden spination that nearly obscures the green color of the plant. Echinocactus bears flowers in a circle neat the crown of the plant. Echinocactus are among the easiest cacti to cultivate. They have a tough exterior and can withstand full desert conditions. […] More
Rebutia–commonly called crown cactus–are small cacti about the size of an apple. They are cylindrical or spherical plants that bear funnel-shaped flowers in a circle around the base (thus the common name crown cactus). Rebutia produces large brightly colored flowers in red, orange, pink, yellow, purple, and white. Rebutia flowers appear profusely in spring and […] More
Lobivia–commonly called cob cactus–is a small globular or cylindrical cactus with large showy flowers. The flowers are day bloomers and last only a day or two before new flowers appear. Lobivia forms wooly brown buds on the side of the plant in spring; flowers follow. Flower colors range from shades of red, yellow, or orange […] More
Stephen Albert