17 Types of Cactus House Plants (with Pictures)

Did you know that there are above 1,500 species of cactus throughout the entire world? Several of these vegetation are native to dry desert climates.

In the US, you can arrive throughout many various sorts of cacti. While several develop in the wild, these can also be identified in nurseries. These cacti make incredible houseplants. They range in phrases of peak. In this list are 17 varieties of cacti that you can increase as houseplants.

The 17 Different Types of Cactus House Plants

1. Bunny Ear Cactus (Opuntia microdasys)

Bunny Ear Cactus
Image Credit: fill, Pixabay
Height: 1.3 to 2 ft
USDA Hardiness Zone: 9a through 11b
Flowering Season: Spring from February to April
Bloom Colo: Yellow

Have you ever noticed a cactus that resembles bunny ears? Effectively, amongst the tiny houseplants you can get is the lovable bunny ear cactus (angel wings cactus). This plant is native to Mexico. Its cuteness should not get absent from the simple fact that it has sharp spines all over.

The bunny ear cactus is a minimal-routine maintenance plant that thrives out in the wild and also indoors. It enjoys bright and immediate sunlight all yr, so choose a place that can provide such. Since this is a dry-climate plant, it won’t demand tons of dampness due to the fact it is drought-tolerant.


2. Baioensis Cactus (Euphorbia baioensis)

Baioensis Cactus_Besjunior_Shutterstock
Image Credit: Besjunior, Shutterstock
Height: 0.5 to 1.5 ft
USDA Hardiness Zone: 10b to 11b
Flowering Season: Spring to summer
Bloom Colo: Pink

At times a tiny cactus can resemble a shrub with a lot of branches. This is specifically how the baioensis cactus looks like. Its stems are brilliant-inexperienced and start branching out appropriate at the foundation of the plant. It has gray spines that seem purple at the suggestion.

This plant survives dry climatic situations out in the wild. Consequently, it is not fussy when you develop it indoors. In reality, all the baioensis requirements is the proper cactus blend, small watering when the soil is dry, and a location that receives plenty of bright daylight.


3. Rat’s Tail Cactus (Aporocactus flagelliformis)

Rats Tail Cactus_KawaiiS_Shutterstock
Image Credit: KawaiiS, Shutterstock
Height: 4 ft
USDA Hardiness Zone: 10 and 11
Flowering Season: Spring from February to April
Bloom Colo: Violet-red

Imagine a special cactus that grows to resemble the tail of a rat. That’s the rat’s tail cactus, native to Central The united states and Southwestern Mexico. This amazing plant has lengthy showy trailing stems and can grow on the ground or on tree trunks in the wild.

At property, it’s achievable to have the rat’s tail cactus as a houseplant. It requires small focus and is a drought-tolerant plant. Spot the cactus in an location that will get bright direct light-weight all year for optimum expansion. Also, plant it in a light-weight cactus blend with very good drainage, and h2o the soil only when it dries up.


4. Powder Puff Cactus (Mammillaria bocasana)

Powder Puff Cactus_Panrinya Pangplang_Shutterstock
Image Credit: Panrinya panplang, Shutterstock
Height: 5 inches
USDA Hardiness Zone: 9a through 11b
Flowering Season: Summer
Bloom Colo: White, pink, and red

Northern areas of Mexico are property to the powder puff cactus. This is a safeguarded species that is prohibited from currently being picked in the wild. It grows to produce a big mound coated by numerous white-bushy spines. It bears some red cylindrical fruits in summer.

Even though you simply cannot get it from the wild to your home, you can locate powder puff cacti in a nursery. This is a perfect houseplant to get because it requires small care. It prefers nicely-draining acidic sandy soil and tons of vibrant light-weight. Spot it in a warm location for the duration of the colder months and drinking water sparingly.


5. Lady Finger Cactus (Mammillaria elongata)

Lady Finger Cactus_Rao Ayaz_Shutterstock
Image Credit: Rao Ayaz, Shutterstock
Height: 8 inches
USDA Hardiness Zone: 9a through 11b
Flowering Season: Spring
Bloom Colo: White and yellow

As a newbie who would like to have a assortment of modest houseplants, the girl finger cactus is a great decision. This plant is native to central Mexico. It grows as dense clusters out in the wild. Each plant has prolonged oval stems with harmless spines.

This cactus grows not too tall and has a vibrant green entire body. When developing indoors, it’s far better to location it in which there’s heaps of vibrant sunlight. It will demand a excellent cactus blend with lots of sand, gravel, and perlite. Bear in mind to keep watering at a minimal.


6. Crimson Crown Cactus (Rebutia deminuta)

Height: 5 inches
USDA Hardiness Zone: 9a through 11b
Flowering Season: Spring
Bloom Colo: Crimson

One more wonderful newbie-pleasant little cactus is the crimson crown cactus. This lovable cactus can grow as a single plant or have a lot of branches forming from the foundation. It has darkish-eco-friendly and shiny stems that show up far more cylindrical as it matures.

Growing the crimson crown cactus indoors is effortless since it presently tolerates severe desert climates. Decide on properly-draining soil such as sand and plant it in a modest pot. Watering have to be stored at a bare minimum because any standing humidity can trigger the plant to rot.


7. Silver Ball Cactus (Parodia scopa)

Silver Ball Cactus_Pingky_P_Shutterstock
Image Credit: Pingky_P, Shutterstock
Height: 1 ft
USDA Hardiness Zone: 9b through 11b
Flowering Season: Summer
Bloom Colo: Yellow

Some cacti increase into ball or round-formed plants. A very good case in point is the silver ball cactus which resembles a literal ball and has a spiny crow at the prime. This crown has some white fluff where the flowers look when the cactus blooms.

Because the cactus is little with a cylindrical condition, it’s susceptible to rot. This is why it is essential to avoid watering from the best and also plant it in properly-draining soil. The best way to inspire it to bloom as an indoor plant is by reducing watering for some time during winter.


8. Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus enneacanthus)

Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus_LHBLLC_Shutterstock
Image Credit: LHBLLC, Shutterstock
Height: 1 ft
USDA Hardiness Zone: 10 through 11
Flowering Season: Early summer
Bloom Colo: Purple

Some cacti grow to sort a clump. A great case in point of this is the strawberry hedgehog cactus that types numerous inexperienced erect stems with cylindrical bodies. These stems have brownish spines and commence forming at the foundation of the cactus to sort a limited clump.

The great news is this is not only a excellent plant to grow outdoors in a dry rocky yard, but you can insert it to your houseplant collection. It needs minimal watering and can even thrive when still left to dry up completely. It needs nicely-draining sandy soil and bright immediate mild.


9. Star Cactus (Astrophytum asterias)

Height: 2 to 6 inches
USDA Hardiness Zone: 9a through 11b
Flowering Season: Summer and fall
Bloom Colo: Yellow, orange, red

In the deserts of Texas and Mexico, you can find the star cactus expanding in the wild. This tiny plant grows in a disc-formed method and does not have spines. Alternatively, it has ribs, and in the center of every rib, you find wooly areolas.

This is a gradual-growing cactus that you can have in your home between other indoor vegetation. It requires nominal treatment, so only h2o when the soil is dry to stay away from root rot. In addition, make certain the soil you use is nicely-draining and area the plant exactly where it receives lots of brilliant mild.


10. Feather Cactus (Mammillaria plumosa)

Feather Cactus_Sittipong Sirichamnan_Shutterstock
Image Credit: Sittipong Sirichamnan, Shutterstock
Height: 5 inches
USDA Hardiness Zone: 9a through 11b
Flowering Season: Spring
Bloom Colo: Ivory, off-white, and pink

Think about the most lovable and fluffy-searching cactus that you have ever appear throughout. That’s the greatest way to explain the feather cactus. But do not let the fuzzy physical appearance idiot you for beneath the puff are sharp spines include the total cactus.

Indoors, it’s very best to have it in a location with enough bright daylight and only partial shade. It is not a chilly-hardy plant, so including some warmth to it for the duration of winter season is a great concept. Only h2o it when essential, but make sure you constantly depart the soil to dry out.


11. Old Lady Cactus (Mammillaria hahniana)

Old Lady Cactus_Kattiya L_Shutterstock
Image Credit: Kattiya L, Shutterstock
Height: 10 inches
USDA Hardiness Zone: 9a through 11b
Flowering Season: Late spring
Bloom Colo: Purplish red

The old woman cactus is a spectacular plant native to Central Mexico. It grows appealing stems, but these are coated with sharp spines from best to bottom. It doesn’t kind branches, as opposed to a lot of other varieties of cacti.

The lone spherical stem can grow to be a amazing addition to your home as a houseplant. During the growing time, you can h2o sparingly and also insert some fertilizer. Nevertheless, it is much better to cut again on each when wintertime arrives about. Only plant in properly-draining sandy soil or cactus blend.


12. Moon Cactus (Gymnocalycium mihanovichii)

Moon Cactus_rakesh kp_Shutterstock
Image Credit: rakesh kp, Shutterstock
Height: 1 ft
USDA Hardiness Zone: 11 through 12
Flowering Season: Late spring to early summer
Bloom Colo: Yellow, orange, red, purple, and white

The moon cactus is also known as the hibotan cactus. This species of cacti is indigenous to South The us and is among the most various plants. It comes in different dimensions, textures, colours, and designs. This sort of variety signifies you can develop a total selection at residence.

As a houseplant, the moon cactus calls for close to desert-like problems. This implies you have to increase it in nicely-draining sandy soil or cacti mix. Also, it’s best to spot it the place it will get complete sun and adequate warmth. Finally, only drinking water sparingly when the soil is dry.


13. Fishbone Cactus (Epiphyllum anguliger)

Fishbone Cactus_Khairil Azhar Junos_Shutterstock
Image Credit: Khairil Azhar Junos, Shutterstock
Height: 6 inches
USDA Hardiness Zone: 10a through 12b
Flowering Season: Late summer to fall
Bloom Colo: Yellow, white

The fishbone cactus is a wonderful addition to your property if you want a lower-light plant. It’s native to Mexico and thrives effectively in diverse conditions that won’t favor other cacti. In fact, it is amongst the number of cacti that prosper in moist and humid problems.

This cactus will demand a few hrs of oblique light-weight when increasing indoors. But, it nevertheless grows in bad lighting. In addition, the plant requires effectively-draining soil that is a bit moist. Allow it dry out first just before you water the cactus once more.


14. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi)

christmas cactus with flower
Image Credit: chakoteh, Pixabay
Height: 6 inches to 1 ft
USDA Hardiness Zone: 10 through 12
Flowering Season: Late fall, early winter
Bloom Colo: Pink, red, magenta, white or purple

A single of the most widespread cactus plants in many properties is the Christmas cactus. While other cacti are native to desert climates, the Xmas cactus originates from the tropical rainforests of Brazil. This is why it will require regular watering and lots of humidity to hold growing.

The Christmas cactus, also acknowledged as the holiday getaway cactus, enjoys an location with partial shade or where it can obtain diffused mild. Total sunlight in summertime can harm the plant. Also, make certain to plant it in nicely-draining rich soil.


15. Easter Cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri)

easter cactus
Image Credit: jessicahyde, Shutterstock
Height: 2 ft
USDA Hardiness Zone: 10 through 11
Flowering Season: Winter, spring
Bloom Colo: Pink, red, orange, purple, and white

The Easter cactus is a stunning small plant that can grow nicely in chilly climates. In fact, this cactus demands sufficient shade and cannot tolerate vibrant direct sunlight. It’s better to expand it in a placement that receives oblique light with some shade.

The cactus does effectively in prosperous, well-draining soil. Guarantee the potting soil is unfastened as compacting can lead to the plant heaps of harm. This is a substantial-routine maintenance property plant that wants regular watering. But ensure you really don't go away it sitting down on water for way too extended.


16. Snowball Cactus (Mammilloydia candida)

Snowball Cactus_Rao Ayaz_Shutterstock
Image Credit: Rao Ayaz, Shutterstock
Height: 1 ft
USDA Hardiness Zone: 9a through 10b
Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
Bloom Colo: Pink, Yellow

The snowball cactus is a beautiful semi-desert plant. The pretty nature of this plant tends to make it a favourite for folks who want cacti as houseplants. It is a reduced-maintenance eco-friendly-lime cactus with some level of chilly hardiness.

On the plant are hundreds of white spines that produce a snowball result on it. The cactus thrives in bright indirect sunlight when indoors and requires well-draining soil with tons of grit. Drinking water only when the soil is completely dry.


17. Chin Cactus (Gymnocalycium mihanovichii)

Height: 7 inches
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 through 8
Flowering Season: Mid to late spring
Bloom Colo: Pink, Red, White, Salmon

Yet another instance of a ideal houseplant is the chin cactus. It is straightforward to increase and treatment for, and it doesn’t have a lot of requirements for blooming.

Plant the chin cactus in properly-draining soil with enough perlite, sand, or gravel. This plant enjoys vibrant indirect light-weight and is not chilly hardy. If you location it near a window, make sure you near it when there’s a frost.

Conclusion

Having some cacti vegetation in your property can be wonderful because they incorporate diversity to a assortment of houseplants. The good news is no matter the top, a cactus plant is lower-routine maintenance and effortless for a rookie to treatment for at residence.

All you need to have to do is get the appropriate pots and soil. There is the option of using properly-draining sandy soil or cactus blend. Following planting, area it the place it receives total sunlight and water sparingly. It’s best to cut down watering as considerably as possible throughout winter.


Highlighted Picture Credit rating: Kyaw Tun, Unsplash

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