Cactus Care, Gallery and Names

About Cacti

Native to deserts and dry regions of the Americas, cacti are succulents at their simplest: a water-storing body and vestigial leaves (spines). These radiate from growth points called areoles and fend off thirsty predators. Unlike leaves, spines don't photosynthesize; the green skin of the plant's body does that.

Cacti are amazing. Imagine trying to fashion an object that retains moisture despite arid conditions, withstands temperatures upwards of 100 degrees F and below freezing, and doesn't disintegrate under ultraviolet rays. What would it be made of? Glass, plastic, metal or wood? None have a chance. Now, consider that this desert icon does all that, and also grows and reproduces!

Round cacti in square pot. Note how some of the mammillarias are beginning to bloom

True, cacti can be difficult to garden around. But you can easily grow and enjoy small specimens in pots. Give them full sun for most of the day (in all but the hottest climates) and water sparingly. Be sure you have the right tools when it comes time to transplant them.

I'd rather photograph cacti than any other plants. Flowers are big and bright, and shapes are intriguing. Spines form patterns and glow when backlit. Because "cactus" deserves a gentler name, I think of them as "halo plants."

The right art pot can take a cactus from merely interesting to amazing 

You too may find that an appreciation for these succulents' simple, sleek, sculptural forms is a natural progression. Is it any wonder that cactus collectors number in the millions worldwide?

Cacti aren't suitable, at least for the long-term, for floral-style succulent arrangements. Although they do add contrast and texture, most cacti (tropical varieties are an exception) have different light-and-water needs compared to soft-leaved succulents. So, give the spikies their own pots, or dedicate a "dry" section of the garden to them.

Cactus Flowers

Cacti bloom for a short period, usually in spring or summer. The flowers tend to open progressively instead of all at once.

An assortment of small cacti are crowned with vivid flowers in spring

Typically flowers are large in proportion to the plant, so when cacti bloom, you really notice it. So do insects and other pollinators. These may have to come from a distance, so flowers with satiny, neon-bright petals helps.

It's ironic that these desert plants have flowers that resemble waterlilies.

You might want to select a pot that’s the same color as the flower, so in combo they put on quite a show when the plant blooms.

Better than Blooms

Collectors are much more into form than flowers. They notice how the top of cylindrical or spherical cactus has an intriguing pattern, like a Fibonacci spiral.

Ariocarpus retusus, collection of Peter Walkowiak

Some cacti have long wispy white fibers like hair. These Mammillaria and notocactus with white filaments are in Pottery By Patrice

Spines can be the worst thing about cacti, but they’re also one of the best. Translucent spines make the entire plant shine as though plugged into a light socket. So, when you place your cacti where they’ll get lots of light, they'll not only be happier, you’ll be able to enjoy them that much more.

Popular varieties for pots

These globular cacti, shown in my Cactus Curio Box project, are readily available in nurseries and online. All bloom beautifully. For more varieties and IDs, scroll to the gallery below.

LATIN NAMES (and common names if available):

Mammillaria mystax
Mammillaria hahniana (Old lady cactus)
Mammillaria carmenae (Isla Carmen pincushion)
Mammillaria elegans
Espostola melanostele (Peruvian old lady cactus)
Mammillaria celsiana (Golden pincushion)
Mammillaria sp. (sp. means “species unknown”)
Mammillaria fragilis ‘Cristata’ (Crested thimble cactus)
Notocactus sp. (Parodia)
Echinopsis ‘Domino’ (Domino cactus)
Mammillaria sp.
Notocactus ‘Silver Ball’ (Silver ball cactus)