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
Chamaecerus is a low-growing cactus that is cylindrical, ribbed, and spiny. It is often grown indoors for its abundance of bright-red blossoms. Chamaecereus has short branch joints from its base that produce a clumping, fingerlike effect. Flowers appear when this cactus is quite young making it one of the most popular of all cacti. Chamaecereus […] More
Echinocereus is a low-growing cactus genus that bears showy flowers. Echinocereus produces free-branching clusters or mounds of erect stems, sometimes prostrate, and usually less than a foot tall. Echinocereus are densely covered with highly ornamental spines. These spiny, globular cacti are natives of the western United States and Mexico. Plant blooms while still small, in […] More
Cleistocactus–commonly called torch cactus–is a slender, multi-ribbed cactus that grows to 10 feet (3m) tall. The spines are very colorful. Cleistocactus is a profuse bloomer, even indoors or in the greenhouse. Flowers are tubular, orange-red. Cleistocactus is popular with growers because the flowers are striking and abundant. The plant is undemanding and easy to care […] More
Espostoa is a genus of shrub-like or tree-shaped cacti, all have a more or less dense white woolly coat of hair. Espostoa are cylindrical in form and multi-ribbed. The flowers are funnel-shaped and covered even on stamens with scales and auxiliary hairs. When Espostoa are old enough to bloom, a tight woolly, white, yellow cephalium […] More
Stephen Albert