Adored by gardeners for their fascinating textures, drought resistance, vibrant colors, and beautiful shapes, cacti plants are a joy to behold and a delight to have in your home. These succulents are well suited for climates with relatively high temperatures and low rainfall, thanks to their ability to store water in their stems for longer periods. Most of them are easy to grow and are tolerant to diseases and insect problems. However, when designing your cactus garden, don’t limit yourself to these succulents alone.
So, what are some of the great companion plants and flowers for your cactus? There is a wide range of companion plants and flowers that can bring out the best qualities of your cactus and share its space with a serene balance. These plants and flowers include the red valerian, African daisy, autumn sage, hummingbird plant, trailing lantana, and some types of Euphorbia. These plants/flowers can highlight your cacti’s form and color and have almost similar maintenance requirements to your cacti.
In this post, we discuss some of the top companion plants and flowers for your cactus plant and some of their unique properties. The plants featured in the list have been carefully selected to ensure they bring out the best in your cactus. So, let us get started.
1. African Daisy
The African daisy is mostly native to South Africa and can grow up to four feet high if you provide it with the optimal growing conditions. The plant has a mounding/trailing habit and can produce many daisies over a long period, especially in warm or mild climates.
Their flowers mostly open when the sun is up and close in the evening. The centre disks of their flowers look as though they have been colored with metallic paint.
The plant does well when grown in containers or the garden. Blooms tend to peak in late spring or early summer and again in late summer or early fall.
African Daisy can produce many purple daisies and is an ideal plant to be paired with various cacti species.
Since the African daisy stops blooming during the hot days, it is good to pair them with cacti species that will pick up the slack during the warm summers to provide you with a non-stop floral display.
Although the plant is somewhat drought resistant, it is crucial to ensure you water it sufficiently. Most African daisies need at least one inch of water per week to thrive. During periods of intense heat, the plant will most likely slow down and go into dormancy.
The plant also prefers relatively cooler weather. During prolonged periods of drought it will gradually cease flowering and go dormant. This is the best time to prune it but keep it watered.
It also needs some supplemental fertilizer every three weeks, especially when you grow it in a container. Make sure you choose a water-soluble fertilizer and follow the instructions on the label when administering it.
2. Red Valerian
The Red Valerian is bushy, well-branched, and has one of the longest flowering seasons. The plant is popularly grown for its ornamental and magnificent star-shaped flowers. It is also relatively easy to grow and fairly resistant to pests and diseases.
The Red Valerian is an amazing bloomer from summer to late fall. It produces plenty of well-rounded flowers that may be pink, white, or blue-green, depending on the species.
When placed in a spot with a plenty of sunlight, Red Valerian can produce lots of star-shaped flowers with a pinkish red color.
The plant does pretty well in a full sunlight position, but it can also tolerate partial shade. However, it may not produce a lot of flowers when it is under partial shade. Providing your red valerian with plenty of sunlight is all you need to do to witness the best of it.
The plant can also thrive in poor soil conditions since it copes well with dry, infertile soils. It can also thrive in compact form areas in spots where other plants may not survive.
It prefers a slightly alkaline soil type, which can be achieved by adding limestone to your regular soil. If the potting soil you want to use is a richer variety, the plant will benefit greatly from staking.
Red Valerian is drought-resistant and doesn’t need a lot of water to survive. Young seedlings require light watering, but old plants can survive with natural rainfall or light wateringwhen the soil is completely dry.
However, this plant doesn’t withstand overwatering. In fact, the only time you will need to water mature red valerian is when there has been a prolonged dry spell, and the potting soil is excessively dry. For fertilization, you don’t need to fertilize your red valerian.
3. Hummingbird Plant
The Hummingbird plant is also known as the “Uruguayan Firecracker” plant and is a great attractor of bees and hummingbirds. It produces beautiful orange flowers from July to late October.
The plant is hardy and nearly indestructible. Therefore, you can expect it to thrive even with minimal care. Although it likes dry soil, it can benefit greatly from occasional watering during the hot and dry season. But you don’t need to fertilize it at all.
If you are growing the plant as a perennial, make sure you cut it nearly to the ground once the blooming season is over. The plant enters a dormancy stage during winter and bursts back to life once the temperatures start to rise in spring.
The Hummingbird Plant is an easy-to-grow plant that produces reddish orange flowers from July to late October.
The hummingbird plant is highly resistant to most pests and diseases and may rot in soggy and poorly drained soil.
The plant is relatively easy to grow, and it is usually propagated by dividing the root ball of mature plants. It requires exposure to full sunlight to thrive and can do well in average to below-average soils.
The hummingbird plant is usually bushy and can reach heights of up to two feet tall with a similar spread when provided with optimal growing conditions. Their velvety leaves and stems are pretty attractive and offer you a spectacular view throughout the year.
4. Trailing Lantana Plant
The trailing lantana plant is a popular landscaping plant that can also serve as a great companion to your cactus. The sprawling woody shrub usually forms a dense and colorful groundcover with its evergreen foliage of strongly scented and dark-green leaves.
The plant produces small, tight clusters of beautiful flowers and spreads up to ten feet wide. The trailing lantana is mostly used as a bank cover to control soil erosion, but it can also be used in raised plant gardens to complement the beautiful green view.
When grown in a relatively warm climate, Trailing Lantana produces white-purplish flowers during the entire year.
Trailing lantana blooms year-round in most frost-free areas. It can thrive in full sunlight or partial shade and can survive outdoors in warm regions. However, excessive frost and freezing will most likely kill the plant quickly.
If you stay in areas that experience temperatures close to freezing and still want to grow trailing lantana, ensure you cover the top of the soil with enough mulch just before winter.
This is a relatively low-maintenance plant that requires moderate watering and medium moisture to thrive. Once the plant becomes well established, it only needs light watering when the soil starts to show signs of drying. Never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Potted plants require frequent watering but make sure the soil doesn’t become soggy. Place a layer of mulch around newly planted lantana to prevent weeds until the plant covers the entire area with its foliage.
Always prune perennial trailing lantana back to 6-12 inches from the ground level in the spring. Pruning helps to remove the old growth to reinvigorate the plant.
5. Mountain Pepper
Mountain pepper bush is a lovely evergreen shrub that can complement your cactus quite well. The plant has beautiful red stems and dark green leaves that add a unique appearance to your garden or interior spaces.
Once established the plant is drought-resistant and can thrive with minimal care. Mountain pepper is named for its pungent and hot-tasting oils found in its leaves. The plant produces clusters of relatively small, sweet-smelling, pale yellow or creamy white flowers that mostly appear in late winter and early spring.
The flowers are usually followed by dark red fruits that turn black when ripe. The mountain pepper can reach heights of up to 13 feet tall at full maturity. It can also spread to a width of up to eight feet. It usually works well as a privacy screen or hedge plant and will always hold its own focal point in your garden.
The easiest way to grow this plant is by purchasing the male and female plants at your local plant nursery. Alternatively, you can acquire mature seeds and plant them. Seeds tend to germinate well when they are still fresh.
Water the plant deeply during the first few months to help it establish a deep root system but always allows the soil to dry completely between watering to prevent root rot. Even at maturity, you still need to water the plant regularly, especially during the hot and dry seasons.
Consider pruning the plant slightly during spring to maintain its natural form. Fertilization is not necessary.
Final Thoughts
Growing cacti plants in your home garden or indoors helps to fill areas that might not be ideal for the growth of high-maintenance plants. However, you need more than cacti plants to make your garden look stunning and well balanced.
We hope you now have an idea of some of the plants that can act as great companions to your cactus. Let us know if you have any questions or suggestions in the comments section below.
Most of us love indoor plants because they make interior spaces feel prettier, greener, and brighter. Indoor plants also purify the air and promote feelings of inspiration and happiness. They reconnect us with nature and remind us of the need to preserve our environment. However, most plants need water, sunlight, and air to grow. So, what happens if you live in a house that doesn’t receive plenty of sunlight? Does it mean you cannot have indoor plants? The answer is “no.”
Some indoor plants don’t need direct sunlight to thrive. There are plenty of low-light plants that you can grow indoors. They include bromeliad, cast iron plant, spider plant, snake plant, parlor palm, dracaena, and many more. These plants are great for spots in a room that need touches of green but don’t receive plenty of direct sunlight for most indoor plants to survive. These plants can survive in low light conditions quite comfortably while others only need artificial light to thrive.
In this post, we look at some of the most famous low-light indoor plants that don’t need the sun to survive. You can pick any of them when you want to add some green touches to your home, but your indoor spaces don’t receive plenty of sunlight.
So, let us get started.
1. Bromeliad
Bromeliad is one of the most common tropical plants that usually come with a vibrant pop of color. Their tropical feel and unique appearance make it an excellent houseplant choice. This plant looks best on tabletops, shelves, or even the floor, depending on the species you choose.
Over the years, bromeliads have adapted to average home conditions attracting much attention from homeowners. Their showy flower displays create a beautiful show. They have strappy leaves with bands, spots, stripes, and other features.
Bromeliads are low-maintenance plants that do not require sunlight, special fertilizer, or regular watering.
Their leaves can be yellow, orange, purple, red, or green. Bromeliads are more tolerant to careless feeding, fluctuations in temperature, and drought. In the natural environment, bromeliad plants are usually epiphytic and cling to trees and other structures.
However, they are not parasitic and only use other plants for support and to reach direct sunlight.
When growing bromeliads indoors, you need to keep in mind that they don’t need deep containers or thick potting mix. In most cases, they do well in relatively shallow containers and may still thrive in low potting mix mediums such as sphagnum moss, orchid mix, and other soils.
The plant doesn’t require special fertilizers to thrive. All you have to do is feed it with half-strength fertilizer once every month. For water needs, fill the cup at the base of the leaves, and you are good to go.
Water that may collect in the pot must be emptied every week to eliminate dead insects and debris that stagnant water attracts into the cup.
2. Cast Iron Plant
The cast-iron plant is a relatively hardy plant that can endure unfavorable conditions. The plant usually thrives in a wide range of conditions, including low light areas. In fact, keeping them in direct sunlight can easily scorch and burn their beautiful leaves. They require very little maintenance to survive and thrive.
However, the cast-iron plant is extremely slow to grow. This makes it a perfect choice for forgetful or busy plant owners who won’t have a lot of time to take care of them. The plant’s rich green leaves provide you with a perfect way of adding a natural touch of greenery to your indoor spaces.
Cast Iron Plant is a low-maintenance plant that thrives in low-light areas and produces purple flowers when grown outdoors.
When grown outdoors, the plant usually produces slightly creamy purple flowers near the base, but the blossoms rarely appear when the plant is grown indoors. The cast-iron plant is always green and can handle deep shade along wall foundations or under deck stairs that receive almost no sunlight.
The plant tends to grow during the hot summers and hibernates during winter. Insects don’t like it, and it is rarely bothered by any diseases. Its leaves are upright and strappy and grow from an underground rhizome.
The only threat to cast iron plants is too much water and direct sunlight. It dislikes waterlogged potting mix and exposure to direct sunlight. When exposed to these conditions, the plant’s leaves will start to turn yellow, and then brown, before it eventually dies.
3. Snake Plant
The snake plant is incredibly tolerant to neglect and tends to do well when tucked into one of the corners of your house, far away from the window. The plant has stiff leaves that range from slightly six inches to over eight feet tall, depending on its variety.
The plant is a member of the Asparagaceae family, a close relative of the asparagus plant. It is native to China, where it is highly treasured because many people believe that the gods bestow important virtues upon individuals who grow and take care of the plant.
The plant is also among the few plant species chosen by NASA for a scientific study on how houseplants can be used for air purification and how they eliminate the “sick building syndrome.”
If you are looking for a plant for your low-light corners of the room, the Snake Plant might be the ideal option for you.
According to joint research run by the Institute for Environmental Research at Yonsei University in South Korea and the Department of Horticulture at the University of Georgia in the United States, the snake plant has demonstrated a unique ability to remove benzene and formaldehyde from the air.
Growing snake plants from cuttings is relatively easy, but the most crucial thing you need to remember is that the cuttings can easily rot. To avoid rotting, ensure you use free-draining soil.
Once you have propagated your snake successfully, put it in indirect sunlight and avoid overwatering, especially during winter. In fact, it is always good to let the plant dry out between watering. If the plant is in a pot, consider applying a little general-purpose fertilizer.
When potting/repotting the plant, choose a relatively sturdy material because its strong roots can easily break fragile pots. The snake plant is generally slow-growing and rarely needs repotting, but if you expose it to ample sunlight, it might grow quickly and require dividing or repotting annually.
4. Parlor Palm
If your preference for indoor plants is more Bohemian, the parlor palm is the perfect choice for you. Also known as the “good luck palm,” this plant will add good vibes to your indoor spaces and make you feel better.
The plant is a relatively slow grower that can only reach three feet high or six feet high if you dedicate yourself to repeated repotting.
Like most tropical plants, the parlor palm thrives in slightly warm and humid spots. Therefore, be sure to mist them or position them strategically on a tray filled with moist pebbles.
The plant was first discovered in Central America and transferred to the United States, where it immediately became a popular indoor plant.
Parlor Palm grows healthy in low-light and low-temperature environments while adding good vibes to your house.
Besides being adapted to relatively low light, it can also handle lower temperatures quite well and grow into beautiful clumps with light-textured leaves cloaking its thin trunks.
Since it is tolerant to low light and quite sensitive to excess water, it is the perfect choice for gardeners who are forgetful or too busy to take care of their indoor houseplants regularly.
However, the parlor palm is highly vulnerable to pests such as mealybugs, whitefly, and aphids. It is always crucial to inspect the plant regularly to identify pest infestation signs as early as possible and treat it with the least toxic option.
5. Dracaena
The dracaena is one of the most popular houseplants that are easy to care for in your home. The plant comes in a wide range of varieties and looks excellent on your tabletops, shelves, and floor décor. The relatively large varieties, such as the dracaena massangeana, have a tree-like appearance and work especially well when used as floor décor.
It thrives in bright, indirect sunlight but can still survive in medium and low light if need be. The plant has excellent air purification properties and can filter out some of the toxic elements from the air.
The stems of a dracaena plant are known as canes and can be pruned at any point to keep its size under control. The plant can grow up to ten feet high, so pruning is essential. When you prune the plant, new leaves will grow below the cut after a few days.
Care for this plant involves keeping the soil moist but not soggy. Yellowing or drooping leaves indicate overwatering or poor drainage. Appropriate fertilization is also part of the plant care routine.
Typically, dracaena requires feeding every two weeks in spring and summer. However, you need to reduce the fertilization rate to once a month during fall and stop feeding the plant completely during winter.
6. Chinese Evergreen Plants
The Chinese Evergreen plants are relatively easy to care for and are fairly resistant to pests or diseases. They usually have leathery, dark green leaves with white and gray veins like a jigsaw puzzle on the foliage.
The plant does well in low to medium light but prefers bright indirect sunlight during summer. During winter, you can keep it away from direct sun. In fact, artificial lights are enough to keep it healthy and happy.
Chinese Evergreen plants are incredibly hardy plants, making them ideal for beginners. They require consistent watering and can tolerate short periods of drought.
During the growing season (spring to summer), water your plant weekly, allowing the soil to dry out in between watering sessions.
Overall, the Chinese Evergreen makes a great low-light option for anyone looking to add plants with beautiful color and texture to their home.
7. Peace Lily
Peace Lilies are among the most beautiful and easiest to care for house plants. They are tough, low-maintenance, and love shade. Peace lilies thrive in indirect or filtered light and don’t need direct sunlight to survive.
These plants require weekly watering during the summer when they are actively growing. During winter months, you can water them every two or three weeks. Overwatering can cause root rot, so ensure the soil is completely dry between watering sessions.
Peace lilies are incredibly tolerant of low-light conditions and will bloom flowers in darker areas around your house.
Their white blooms help to purify the air by reducing harmful toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide.
Peace lilies are also very resistant to pests and diseases and can be grown in average indoor temperatures of 65-75°F (18-24°C).
They can sometimes suffer from overwatering or too much fertilizer, but they are otherwise hardy plants that require minimal effort to keep them happy.
8. Spider Plants
Spider plants usually grow in relatively cold and wet conditions and are incredibly tolerant of low light or total darkness.
These plants have a wispy appearance due to the thin green leaves that stretch out from their central stem, resembling spiders’ legs.
Spider plants enjoy regular watering in slightly acidic soil (between 6.5-7.0). Your spider plant will generally be happy if you allow soil to dry out between watering sessions.
These plants prefer bright indirect light and temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C). If you expose them to direct sunlight, they might suffer leaf damage.
The best way to prevent this is by shading them with sheer curtains or by placing them in the corner of a room, away from direct sunlight.
Spider plants often sprout small, white flowers during warm seasons like spring and summer. These flowers eventually turn into tiny spider plantlets that you can pluck from the mother plant and propagate independently.
These plants are also incredibly effective natural air purifiers, filtering the air of toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide.
Summary
Now that you know some of the houseplants that don’t need direct sunlight to survive, you should go out there and acquire one that suits you. Just make sure you take good care of the plant, and you will end up adding the right touches of green to your indoor spaces.
If you are having trouble deciding on the right houseplant, seek expert advice from your local plant nursery. We hope you enjoyed reading this post and you will be back for more. Feel free to share this post with your friends, leave a comment and subscribe to our email list for the latest gardening tips and tricks.
When you think about the desert, what comes to mind? Most probably, an endless mass of sandy soil and rocks. While it is true that this is the case with most deserts, it does not mean that nothing good comes out of the same. The desert is home to some of the most colorful plants you will ever encounter. These drought-resistant plants help add pomp and color to the otherwise dull desert terrain. These may range from trees to shrubs, cacti, succulents and wildflowers. These flowering desert plants come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors.
So, what are some of the most common types of flowering desert plants? Truth, is most desert plants have flowers, but some have more distinctive, brighter flowers that the rest. Some of the most common flowering desert plants include the following:
Arizona Poppy
Desert Marigold
Tacoma stans
Prickly pear
Ice plant
Muhly Grass
Lantana
Desert Lily
Mojave Aster
Bottlebrush
This article will take a look at each of these flowering desert plants in detail. It will look at their characteristics, type and color of flowers, the flowering seasons, and the importance of the same.
1. Arizona Poppy
The Arizona Poppy (Kallistroema Grandiflora) is a flowering herb native to Arizona and found in Northern Mexico and California. It stands out with its herbaceous stems that rise from the stout and the numerous branching.
This flowering desert plant features abundant flowers that measure about one inch. The flowers are five-petaled and rise above the plant. Usually, the flowers are bright orange with a noticeable red basal spot. Its petals feature a number of nectar guides and are distinctively ultraviolet reflective.
Arizona Poppy is a desert herb with yellow to bright orange flowers.
The flowers from the Arizona Poppy remain open for one day, during which cross-fertilizing takes place. As the flower closes, however, this opens ways for self-fertilizing. Its blooms may lack any fragrance, but it still attracts over 46 species of insects, including wasps, bees, butterflies and flies.
2. Desert Marigold
The desert marigold, also commonly known as ‘paper daisy,’ is an outstanding desert plant that can grow to about one foot in height. It stands out with its flowers that produce many seeds. The plant is usually short-lived and would only live through one season and germinate the following year through its seeds. Blooms from that desert marigold start during spring and may last through summer.
The bright yellow flowers form clusters about two inches in diameter. Its leaves are green coupled with some silver-white hairs that grow very low on its thick stems. When planning to grow these in your garden, it helps to note that they are poisonous to sheep and goats but have not been proven to harm larger animals like horses and cattle.
3. Tacoma stans
The Tacoma stans, also commonly referred to as yellow bells, is a flowering desert plant native to the Sanora desert. It thrives best in sunny conditions or filtered shade. The plant produces bright yellow flowers that assume the shape of a bell, thus its name. Yellow bells bloom at the end of spring and would last through the start of fall.
The Yellow Bells is a favorite for bees and hummingbirds, thanks to its tubular, yellow blooms. It also stands out with its vibrant leaves that mimic feathers. These features make it a perfect choice for a butterfly garden. When not blooming, the plant still adds some ambiance to your garden as it turns into an appealing backdrop for other plants in the garden.
4. Prickly Pear
Prickly pear is a type of flowering cactus that blooms bright flowers during the spring season. These would eventually lead to some edible fruits on maturity. Also known as Opuntia, this desert plant stands out with its paddle-shaped stems. It is one of the most adaptable blooming cacti that you can include in your desert garden.
The Prickly Pear cactus features red, pink, or purple flowers that lead to the growth of edible fruits.
The prickly pear is rarely noticed until it starts to bloom. Its flowers range from white to red, to pink and purple. Apart from its fruits, the pads from prickly pear are also edible and can be harvested at any time of the year. Both the pads and fruits can be eaten raw or cooked.
5. Ice plant
The Ice Plant is an easily recognizable flowering desert plant that can help add color to your desert garden or landscape. This colorful succulent features bright flowers that come in a variety of colors ranging from pink to yellow, red and purple. This is an excellent recipe to attract various species of insects like bees, butterflies and even birds.
The Ice Plant’s daisy-like flowers help add some pomp to your desert garden and act as a perennial ground cover even when not in bloom. It acquires its name from the fact that its leaves and flowers tend to shimmer as though they have been covered in some ice crystals. The plant grows to about one meter wide and 6 inches tall.
6. Muhly Grass
Muhly grass (Muhlenbergia) is an ornamental grass that blooms into a beautiful white or pink spectacle. It is commonly found throughout Canada, Mexico, South and Central America. Usually, individual species of the plant would assume a capillary-like branching system, thus forming some form of shrubs. Its green leaves would cover the understory while the pink flowers would outgrow them.
Muhly Grass consists of green leaves surrounded by white to pinkish flowers.
This flowering desert grass may grow in clumps but does not spread through underground or above-ground stems. Being a warm-season plant, Muhly Grass thrives during the summer, and by autumn, it would be in full bloom. This makes it an excellent garden plant as it also attracts notable insects like the ladybird and butterflies.
7. Lantana
Lantana is a genus that involves over 100 flowering plants. These are native to tropical regions in Africa, central and south America. Lantana grows to form clusters of rounded flowers, usually very bright in color. Colors from its flowers vary from species to species. These may range from orange to red, yellow, white, purple, and much more. In fact, some species may depict more than one color in one cluster. Lantana’s leaves and flowers have an aromatic fragrance that attracts insects and birds, thus helping in desert pollination. Its leaves are also used to make perfumes, thanks to its fragrance. However, the plant is toxic when raw and should be kept out of reach of children when grown in the garden or indoors.
Lantana blooms almost all year round in tropical climates. In the United States, this flowering can be seen from spring to fall. Notably, the flowers’ colors tend to change through the season. This may see a yellow flower at the start of the season turn to reddish-brown or orange by the end of the season.
8. Mojave Aster
The Mojave aster is a delightful desert plant, also known as the Mojave woody aster. It is a perennial plant that can grow up to 30 inches high. As the name suggests, the plant is native to the Mojave desert. When it blooms, the plant produces large daisy-like flowers. Mojave aster stands out with its petals that resemble lavender and features white rays that come right from its yellow center. Its overall flowerhead grows to about 2 inches in diameter. Normally, the Mojave aster blooms in spring, but it can sometimes flower in the fall too. During this time, each plant may bear up to 20 flowers.
Apart from the Mojave desert, this desert flowering plant also grows in the Great Basin Desert and the Sonoran Desert. Usually, the plant grows alongside other notable desert plants like the creosote bushes, Joshua tree, and saltbush shrubs.
9. Desert Lily
Lilies are hugely popular for their colorful flowers. This is not different for the desert lily. Well, it may not be a true lily, but its flowers resemble that of a lily, thus the name. When the desert lily blooms, it produces some large white or cream-colored, funnel-shaped flowers that mimic a true lily.
Desert Lily is similar to a regular Lily and produce funnel-shaped white to yellowish flowers.
The blooming happens between March and May, with flowers growing up to 2 inches wide. The flower features some six petal-like segments, each bearing some silver-green band on the back. Usually, this bluish-gray plant would grow to a height of about 6 feet.
10. Bottlebrush
Bottlebrush is a flowering desert plant that grows as a shrub. They are native to Australia and would produce colorful red flowers. These would contrast with its light green foliage, making it an ideal candidate for a desert garden or landscape. The plant gets its name from its flowers that mimic a bottle brush.
Usually, the bottle brush blooms during the summer months. While a majority produces red flowers, some varieties have crimson and even light yellow flowers. When grown at home, the plant needs regular pruning and removal of suckers.
Flowering desert plants are delightful additions to the desert environment. This makes them the perfect options when looking to design a desert landscape or garden. These would also come in handy when looking to create a butterfly garden since most of these plants attract a large variety of insects and birds.
Think about the desert and all you can picture is endless sand mass, high humidity, high temperatures, and low precipitation. All these may be a recipe for infertility and barrenness, but the fact is; the desert can be anything but barren. This is home to a number of plants that have adapted to these conditions and go ahead to thrive and reproduce. These plants are unique in their own way, and you wouldn’t find them anywhere else. In fact, some are so rare that they have turned into a major tourist attraction. The cactus may be the most popular desert plant, but there are a couple of others that call the desert home.
So what are the most popular plants you can find in the desert? The desert is home to hundreds of plant species, but the most popular include cacti species like prickly pear, barrel cactus, organ pipe cactus, and Saguaro. There are also flowery dessert plants like desert lily, desert marigold, and California Poppy. The desert is also home to various trees and tree-like species such as the acacia tree, elephant tree, desert willow tree, Joshua tree, and palm tree.
In this article, we take a look at some of the most common desert plants. This will include their full descriptions and their adaptation to the desert environments.
Cactus
The cactus is the most recognizable desert plant thanks to their interesting adaptations, unique shapes and weird adaptive features. There are literally thousands of cactus species, but the most common cactus varieties that grow and thrive in the desert include Saguaro, organ pipe cactus, barrel cactus, hedgehog cactus and prickly pear cactus.
Cactus is among the most widespread desert plants that can grow healthy in harsh climates.
Cactus is known to grow and thrive on the otherwise barren washes, the rocky hillsides and the alluvial fans of the desert. The cactus is fully adapted to the desert thanks to its succulent stems, spines to ward off predators and roots that grow close the ground to take advantage of the little rainfall.
Elephant Tree
The elephant tree belongs to the family of small trees or shrubs. They are easily recognizable by their thick, swollen trunks. Despite the large trunks, its branches are uncharacteristically small and feature pinnate leaves that are usually shed during drought.
The elephant tree is fully adapted for the desert thanks to the following features:
Large trunk – this serves as a water reservoir
Leave shedding – during drought, the leaves shed off, and the plant can photosynthesize through its stem and branches.
Palm tree
The palm tree may be synonymous with the coastal regions, but some species are specially adapted for the desert. Some notable palm tree species that thrive in the desert include the doum palm tree, date palm tree and Bismarck palm tree. Most desert palm trees are long-lived with lifespans of about 150 years.
Although palm trees are associated with coastal regions, particular species can also thrive in deserts.
Palm trees are adapted for the desert conditions thanks to their thick and long trunks that help store water for more extended periods. They also feature broad leaves, hereby called fronds. The fronds help convert the desert sunlight into sugars that can then be used by the tree in times of scarcity.
Acacia tree
The desert acacia tree is one of the most resilient trees in the desert and one of the few true trees that survive the harsh weather conditions. In fact, research shows that the desert acacia thrives more during the hot, dry summer months compared to the slightly wetter winters.
The acacia tree takes advantage of its long taproot that runs deep to fetch water from the underground reservoirs. On the other hand, the acacia tree attracts a range of insects and animals that help in pollination, thus improving the survival rate of the species. During the drought, it sheds its leaves to help reduce water loss through stomata.
Desert Willow Tree
The desert willow tree otherwise referred to as Chilopsis is a small shrubby plant mostly found in the Mexican and American deserts. It produces bright lavender and light pink flowers around May and would last till September.
The plant stands out with its lower lip and throat designed with purple lines and yellow ridges. The desert willow occurs in clusters to make maximum use of the little nutrients and water in the desert.
Joshua Tree
The Joshua tree may not be a true tree, but a desert-dwelling plant stuck between a cactus and a tree. It is actually a Yucca and is native to the Mojave desert. Joshua tree is fast-growing and can get to heights of between 15 and 40 feet with a diameter of up to 3 feet.
Joshua Tree can withstand the desert climate and grow up to about 40 feet in height.
With a lifespan of about 200 years, this desert plant is rightly adapted for the desert conditions thanks to its extended root system that goes up to 36 feet deep to fetch as much water as possible. Additionally, the Joshua tree features thick waxy skins that help prevent water loss by evaporation. It also relies on the yucca moth to help in its pollination and subsequent reproduction.
Desert Lily
One would expect to find lilies in places with plenty of rainfall and nutrients, but the desert lily disapproves this notion. Well, it may not be a true lily, but its large white lily-like flowers give it the lily similarities. This bluish-grey desert plant may not be a succulent either but has mastered the art of thriving in the deserts. It stands out with its heat tolerance and is related to the agave plants.
The desert lily adapts to the desert environments by replacing leaves with barbs to help prevent water loss through evaporation. Its green structure in the form of stems not only helps hold water but also work to defend it against animals. Most importantly, the desert lily features an underground bulb that would remain dormant during most seasons but will only swing to action during drought to provide water and nutrients to the plant.
Desert Marigold
The desert marigold is a perennial, short-live flowery plant native to the arid regions of Utah, Mexico, Arizona and California. Its bright yellow flowers add life and color to the otherwise dull desert landscape. Notably, the large disk flowers bloom during the spring season and would last through the hot months of the year. This is usually between March and September. Interestingly, any additional rainfall will trigger a new round of flowering irrespective of the season. The plant grows to about 30 inches tall and features a basal rosette about 4 inches long.
The desert marigold is suitably adapted to the desert thanks to its pinnate leaves the help reduce water loss through evaporation. The leaves are also hairy, and this helps increase light reflection, thus lower temperatures.
Aloe Vera
There are hundreds of aloe plants, but the aloe vera is the most common and thrives in desert conditions. This fleshy-leaved plant can comfortably grow in bone-dry sandy soil. In fact, it thrives best in the rocky regions of the desert. Being a succulent, this desert plant stores its water in its fleshy leaves and would use it up in times of drought.
Aloe Vera is a desert plant that can grow in dry soilby storing water in its chubby leaves.
Aloe Vera also adapts to the desert using Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). This is an adaptation that largest the photosynthetic pathways during the hot seasons by forming malic acid. Besides, the aloe vera gel found in the leaf pulp acts as an energy and water storage component.
Tumbleweed
Tumbleweed is probably the most recognizable desert plant after cactus. Its unique growth pattern that gives it the appearance of some assembled weeds stands out. This desert dweller is native to Russia and the United States. They start off as tiny seedlings before finally taking its round shape as it matures. It later grows flowers in between its thorny leaves. This would eventually lead to the formation of little fruits with one tiny seed. By fall, the plant is usually fully mature and will start to dry out. It will only take some gusts of wind to break the dead plant and get it tumbling over.
The tumbleweed is fully adapted to the desert thanks to their ‘tumbling’ nature that helps it spread its seeds as efficiently as possible. The seeds would grow within a few days with just some little signs of water. When seedling, tumbleweed produces tube-shaped leaves, and this minimized surface area helps reduce water loss through evaporation.
The desert may be dry for the better part of the year, but this does not mean it is lifeless. Thousands of animal and plant species live and thrive in the desert. Most of these plants have developed unique adaptive features that give it an edge to survive in such harsh environments. These plants defy all odds to live up to maturity and reproduce to increase their chances of survival. There are literally thousands of plant species that live in the desert, but the above are the most common and easily recognizable. They would be found in a majority of desert regions across the world.
Cactus is one of the most noticeable plants in the world. While most cactus plants are adapted to grow in dry areas, not all are found in the desert. Notably, there are two primary classifications of cacti; desert and forest cactus. Desert cacti come in various types, ranging from the smallest, three-inch fish-hook cactus to the towering Saguaro cactus that grows up to 40 feet.
So, what kind of cactus live in the desert? There are literary thousands of cactus plants adapted for the desert. However, the most common types of cactus that live in the desert include the following:
Saguaro
Cardon
Barrel Cactus
Organ pipe cactus
Prickly pear cactus
Hedgehog Cactus
Cholla Cactus
Fishhook Cactus
Pencil Cactus
This article will look into these and more of the desert cactus in terms of their features and adaptations. We take a look at their growth cycles, regions found, and their suitability as a homegrown or indoor plant.
1. Saguaro
Saguaro cactus is one of the most recognizable cacti, thanks to its tree-like stature and growth. It can grow up to 40 feet tall with a lifespan of over 150 years. The cactus is native to Arizona’s Sonora Desert. Thanks to its long lifespan, Saguaro may grow its first sidearm at around 80 years of age, while some never do.
Saguaro is grown mainly from seed and rarely does so by cuttings, but when they do, its shape takes a totally different appearance. The cactus has an extended root network that may go up to 100 feet. Its long tap roots run up to 3 feet deep. The spines are notably sharp and may grow up to 1mm per day.
Saguaro can grow up to 40 feet in height with spines that lengthen by 1mm per day.
This gentle Mexican giant produces white waxy flowers that appear from April through June. The flowers bloom well after sunset and would close in the afternoons.
Saguaro cactus can be grown indoors as long as they are placed in a brightly lit room with a possibility of being moved outside regularly.
2. Cardon
Cardon, also known as the elephant cactus, is one of the biggest cacti found in the desert. It is native to northwest Mexico and found in states like Sonora and Baja California Sur. It grows up to 70 ft tall and can weigh up to twenty-five tons.
Fruits from Cardon cactus were a vital food element for Sanora’s Seri people. The cactus has a special relationship with fungal and bacterial colonies on its roots. This allows it to grow even on bare rock with no soil support whatsoever. This is all thanks to the bacteria that helps fix nitrogen from the air, thus breaking down the rock for nutrients.
Cardon resembles Saguaro in shape and growth, but it is more heavily branched with its branches appearing just at the base of the step. This cactus produces large, nocturnal, white flowers that occur along the plant’s ribs rather than only at the stems’ apices.
The Cardon cactus can be grown indoors but needs enough sun and heat as it is adapted for the deserts.
3. Barrel Cactus
Barrel cactus is one of the most resistant desert cacti and is native to the South and North American deserts. The largest specimens of the cactus are found in southern California’s Mojave Desert. At maturity, some species of the cactus can reach over 3 feet tall.
The cactus stands out with its numerous, pronounces ribs. It also features long spines that may range in color from red to yellow to tan, depending on the plant’s species and age. After several years of growth, flowers will be seen at the top of the plant. Its flowers are mostly orange or bright yellow, but there are varieties with red and pink colors. It has a lifespan of about 100 years.
Barrel cactus can live anywhere between 50 to 100 years and can grow up to 10 feet tall.
Barrel cactus produces a small pineapple-shaped fruit after flowering. This fruit can stay on the plant for a full year if left untouched. However, the fruit is not edible as it is mostly bitter and fairly dry.
4. Organ Pipe Cactus
The organ pipe cactus derives its name from its resemblance to a pipe organ. Locally referred to as ‘pitaya dulce,’ organ pipe cactus is native to the United States and Mexico. It is mostly found in the regions’ rocky deserts.
The organ pipe cactus has its stems growing from a single short truck. It develops several stems about 6 inches thick. Depending on the region, the plant can grow to a maximum height of 16 o 26 feet. A fully mature plant of the cactus can extend to a width of about 12 feet, with each step featuring 12 to 19 inch, dark brown or black ribs.
The plant produces funnel-shaped white flowers that bloom at night and close at dawn. This makes bats its primary pollinators. It also produces an edible fruit the size and shape of a tennis ball.
The organ pipe cactus can be grown indoors but needs exposure to full sun and irrigation at least once a day during the hot, dry weather.
5. Prickly Pear
The prickly pear, also known as opuntia or nopal, is one of the flat-stemmed spiny cacti native to the Western Hemisphere. Most of its species are homegrown and are an essential source of food for most inhabitants of tropical and subtropical countries. Its common culinary species, the Indian fig opuntia, may grow 16 to 23 feet tall with a trunk diameter of about 3 feet.
Prickly Pear is a fruit-bearing cactus that grows up to 23 feet tall.
The plant produces large, solitary, axillary, and bisexual flowers that later lead to a berry-like yellow, white or reddish-purple fruit with arillate seeds. This desert plant can be grown at home with warmer climates preferred. Prickly pear is widely known for its edible fruits and use as a forage crop. Its hard seeds come in handy in the production of oil.
Cutting and propagation of the prickly pear are possible through its stems. While its fruits have mostly been a source of food for the natives, research also shows some cactus varieties have medicinal values. This is all thanks to their pectin and fiber, which may help lower blood pressure by decreasing sugar absorption in the intestines and stomach.
6. Hedgehog Cactus
Hedgehog cactus is a low-growing desert cactus found mainly in the southwestern United States. Otherwise referred to as Engelmann’s hedgehog cactus after George Englemann, a renowned botanist and physician, this cacti variety earned its name thanks to its resemblance to hedgehogs.
Hedgehog cactus grows lowly and produces several clumps ranging from about 40 to 50, 12-inch green stems in each clump. Depending on the number of clumps, the plant can grow 2 to 3 feet wide. The cylindrical stems feature between eleven and fourteen ribs with solidly covered spines.
Hedgehog Cactus comprises 40-50 stems that grow about 12-inch tall and produces colorful flowers and fruits.
This desert succulent produces colorful flowers that eventually lead to some edible, spherical fruits. At its initial stages, the fruits are fully covered with spines, but these fall off with time as the fruit ripens.
Propagation of hedgehog cactus can be done through offset cuttings or seeds. For better results growing this cacti variety at home, it is recommended to sow in summer or spring.
7. Cholla Cactus
The cholla cactus is a shrubby desert succulent native to North America. It grows in joints of various lengths. The joints feature some formidable-looking spines and brightly colored. These spines generally act as reduced leaves and feature an external papery sheath.
The cholla cactus can stick or hold on to anything it gets in contact with, thanks to its tiny curved hooks on the spines. The cholla cactus comes in various types that include:
Slender Stemmed Chollas – Otherwise known as diamond cholla, this cholla variety feature slender, blue-green stems the produce long, white spines. These are native to the Sonora and Mojave Desert.
Tree-like Chollas – Otherwise known as chain fruit cholla, this variety features a strong central stout trunk when fully mature. It also has its flowers blooming from its older fruits. The plant can be propagated from loose joints or fruits.
These spines generally act as reduced leaves and feature an external papery sheath.
Shrubby Chollas – Otherwise known as Staghorn cholla, this cholla variety stands out with its branching habits that mimic deer horns. During winter, its stems turn purplish while its flowers range from yellow to greenish to red.
Despite being a desert succulent, the cholla cactus can be grown in home gardens and as barrier plants.
8. Fishhook Cactus
Fish-hook cactus is a general name that applies to any hook-spined species of the Echinomstus, general Mammillaria, and Scierocactus. It is one of the smallest of the desert cacti, growing to about 7 inches high.
This cactus got its name from its spines that resemble fishing hooks. In fact, some species of this desert cacti feature notably strong spines that could be used as actual fishing hooks by the natives throughout the Americas.
Each of its cluster spines features 3 or 4 black, hooked central spines and a couple of white radial ones. The fish-hook cactus produces brightly colored, pink, or white flowers measuring about 1.4 inches. This eventually leads to a fleshy, shiny, red fruit with black seeds.
9. Pencil Cactus
The pencil cactus may not be a real cactus per se but rather falls in the Euphorbia family. It got its name from its tiny stems that resemble a pencil in size and shape. When injured, the plant produces some cloudy, milky sap, thus earning the nickname ‘milk bush’. This desert succulent is native to India and Africa.
Pencil Cactus is a low-maintenance plant that comprises thin pencil-like stems.
The pencil cactus can grow to about 30 feet tall. It is a leafless plant, but some tiny leaves would usually appear at the tip of new branches. These eventually fall off as the branch matures. As such, it uses its pencil-sized branches for photosynthesis.
This desert plant can be grown in home gardens with minimum watering and gritty soil.
How are cactus plants adapted to their environment?
Apart from their unique appearance, cacti also have another outstanding feature that sets them apart from most conventional plants. Its ability to adapt thrive in the harshest of environments is remarkable. The cactus is adapted to dry areas thanks to a number of features and characteristics. Here are some of these features:
Shallow root systems
Water is hard to come by in the deserts. Faced with this reality, cacti adapt through its extensive shallow root system. The roots spread over a larger area but just below the surface to tap on the little rainwater that comes by once in a while. Larger varieties of cacti, like the giant Saguaro, would, however, have one deep taproot to help anchor the frame above by keeping a strong base.
During the rainy season, most cacti develop temporary root hairs to help harness the little water and prevent loss of the same.
Leafless
Apart from a few species, Cacti are generally leafless. This is an adaptive strategy that helps minimize water loss during photosynthesis. Desert cacti have transferred photosynthesis from the leaves to its stem to help reduce moisture loss that would naturally happen through the stomata. It complements this by adopting CAM photosynthesis, a process where the plant’s stomata only open when temperatures are cooler, preferably at night.
Succulence
Cactus stems are specially designed to store a large amount of water, thanks to its succulence. A cactus’ cortical layer is specially adapted to act as a water reservoir through its thin but flexible water-holding cells. This water would then be released in bits when it matters most, preferably during the dry seasons.
Temperature resistance
For plants growing in desert environments, one of their worst enemies is the sun. The scorching heat from the sun can be unforgiving for any living organism, and this is no different for cactus. However, cacti have adapted to this thanks to the accordion effect.
The accordion effect is a process whereby cactus ribs and tubercles expand without bursting and would later retract as the water is used up. This helps minimize the surface area facing direct sunlight.
Excess direct sunlight can damage the plants, but cacti are more resistant to head due to the accordion effect.
Slow Metabolism
Leaves help catalyze photosynthesis and subsequently plant growth. For desert cacti, however, less green tissue means a slower metabolism. This makes them slow growers. On the flip side, this is a positive adaptation for desert environments. It helps them conserve energy that would otherwise be used in developing additional foliage. Instead, cacti focus on maintaining existing structures that keep them alive.
The slow metabolism also helps cacti attain longer lifespans. Some cacti species have been documented to live for up to 200 years. The longer they live, the better their chances of reproduction.
Protective Spines
The majority of desert cacti feature spines that come in various shapes and colors. These are not meant for beauty but a protective feature that helps the plant ward off predators.
Considering cacti would thrive and remain green even during drought, some animals would be tempted to tap into their succulent stems. The spines help deter these efforts, thus increasing their chances of survival.
Can Desert Cactus be grown at home?
While cacti are suitably adapted for the deserts, most of them can easily thrive in home environments as long as favorable conditions are met. This said, you can easily grow desert cacti, either in your garden, on the patio, or indoors.
However, harvesting desert cacti in its natural habitat is illegal in most states, and it is essential to get the requisite licenses and approvals before embarking on the same.
How to care for desert cacti at home
Despite their adaptation to the desert environments, cacti need some good care to thrive better. For instance, frequent watering helps cactus flower much easily and with brighter blooms. However, take caution not to overdo processes like watering; once or twice a month will do.
Good compost also matters for desert cacti. Ensure you have a well-drained compost to avoid too much dampness. The compost would also look much better with a top layer of pebbles or gravel for a naturally polished look. This will also add to the stability of the plant as it grows taller.
Pot size also matters when growing cacti indoors; they thrive and flower better when grown in small pots. Being an outdoor plant, cactus needs adequate sunlight too. When grown indoors, always ensure they are positioned in a brightly lit area. In addition, good loamy soil with neutral soil pH will work best.
To grow healthy cacti at home, you should select well-drained soil and appropriate pot size for a specific plant.
Desert cactus has a fragile and intricate web of life. They come in the weirdest shapes and sizes, but all these are meant to help cushion the succulent from the desert’s unforgiving conditions. There are literally thousands of desert cacti species. While some are extinct, others are on the verge of getting wiped out, thanks to illegal human activities and natural disasters.
As much as most of these desert cacti can be grown at home, others are not recommendable due to their toxicity, size and government restrictions. Before getting a desert cactus for our home garden, ensure you liaise with the relevant local administration for proper approval and licensing. Your choice for a desert cactus type will highly depend on its availability within your area, its purpose at home, and your personal preference.
When you think of a cactus, it’s usually the iconic Saguaro that first comes to mind. It’s synonymous with the Southwest US region, and for a good reason. It’s also one of the few visuals you can actually care for at home as a living souvenir of Southwest Americana. You’ll have a harder time with the coyotes and roadrunners.
The Saguaro, pronounced SUH-WAHR-OH, is a particularly unique cactus plant native to the Sonoran Desert, which includes Arizona, Mexico, and California. It is illegal to transplant the Saguaro cactus from the Sonoran Desert, and Arizona has strict rules protecting the plant, but the Saguaro can be purchased online or at a plant nursery located in the southwest.
While the Saguaro cactus is an enticing purchase for your succulent needs, the plant is rather particular, so it might be handy to do a little background research on the Saguaro before bringing it into your plant family. If you’d like to learn more about the Saguaro cactus and the nuances to its care, you’ve come to the right place.
What is the Saguaro Cactus?
The Saguaro cactus, or Carnegiea gigantea, is probably the cactus you picture when conceptualizing what a cactus is. Like many other cacti, the Saguaro cactus features protective spines and a green body. However, this cactus plant has several notable characteristics that distinguish itself from other cacti.
Size: The Saguaro cactus is the largest cactus in the United States. They are typically slow-growing, but at full maturity, the average Saguaro grows upwards of 40 feet tall.
Age: This leads to another Saguaro trait, their incredible lifespan. Although Saguaros can reach enormous heights at full maturity, it takes roughly 125 years for a Saguaro to do so. The average lifespan of a Saguaro generally falls between 150-200 years.
Shape: Perhaps the Saguaro’s most distinct quality is its shape. The Saguaro features a singular, cylindrical body with several peripheral arms extending from the body and pointing upward.
Blossoms: Like most other cactus plants, the Saguaro is a flower. While the Saguaro’s blossoms are not unique in color, creamy white, or size, 3 inches in diameter, the age at which a Saguaro first blooms is unique. The Saguaro does not experience its first bloom until roughly 35-50 years of age.
Saguaro first blooms is unique. The Saguaro does not experience its first bloom until roughly 35-50 years of age
These characteristics certainly make the Saguaro a distinct symbol of Southwest America, but it also features a list of traits that make it particularly adept at surviving in Southwest America.
Spines: The Saguaro cactus is also covered by defensive spines that serve to defend the water stored inside from predatory animals.
Roots: The Saguaro cactus uses a single taproot, extending roughly 5 feet into the ground, to access the region’s groundwater. The rest of the Saguaro’s root system is located near the surface, roughly 3 inches below the ground, to collect rainfall.
Sponge: When the Saguaro cactus collects this water, it does not use it right away. Instead, the water is soaked up and stored in the cactus’s sponge-like interior.
Ribs: As more water gets stored in the Saguaro’s sponge-like interior, the skin of the cactus expands, which allows for more storage space. This is made possible by the exterior pleats and interior ribs that expand and contract with the cactus as it stores and depletes water.
How to Care for the Saguaro Cactus
Although the Saguaro cactus is endemic to the Sonoran Desert, it is possible to purchase and care for your very own Saguaro cactus at home. However, the Saguaro requires very particular care and may not fare well in homes located in colder climates or higher altitudes.
This section will detail the particular methods of care that the Saguaro cactus requires.
Planting
Prior to planting, introduce water into the soil you will use to plant your Saguaro. Also, be sure to begin the planting process in the late spring/early summer months. Saguaro cacti require an abundance of the sun to grow, which is crucial during this early growth stage.
If pot-planting, do not use an overly large pot as the Saguaro has a rather weak root system. Make sure the pot is base-heavy, though as Saguaro’s can grow to be quite large, upwards of 40 feet in fact.
Initial Watering
Once planted, do not water the Saguaro for roughly two weeks. During the summer months, May through October, the Saguaro requires a deep watering once every 2-4 weeks.
To water your Saguaro, do not use a watering can or any overhead watering technique. The Saguaro’s roots are close to the surface, and this will result in overwatering. Instead, funnel a small hose into the soil surrounding the Saguaro and soak the soil to about one foot in depth.
After about six months, the Saguaro’s roots should start to set into the soil. Continue the same watering practices until the roots firmly establish themselves. This typically takes between 1-2 years after the initial planting.
Then, water the Saguaro once per month during the summer months and do not water at all during the fall or winter months. To properly water your Saguaro, use the hose-method detailed above.
To make sure your Saguaro is receiving enough water, check the exterior pleats of your Saguaro.
Lay the hose about 5 feet away from the Saguaro’s main body. Then, let the hose run for roughly 30 minutes. Doing this once a month in the summer months should be a sufficient amount of water for your Saguaro.
To make sure your Saguaro is receiving enough water, check the exterior pleats of your Saguaro. If there is less than an inch of space between each pleat, then your cactus needs more water. You can also check the skin to tell if your Saguaro is underwatered. If the skin is not firm, your Saguaro is underwatered.
Sunlight
The Saguaro requires full sun, so it is imperative that you plant the Saguaro in the southernmost portion of your household to receive south exposure. It might be difficult to grow the Saguaro in overcast regions, but there are methods for overcoming this hurdle.
The Saguaro requires full sun
Temperature
The Saguaro does not thrive in colder climates, but it can persist through several hours of frost. If you live in a particularly cold environment, a greenhouse is probably necessary. The Saguaro is only tolerant of about 28 degrees Fahrenheit.
Additional Resources
In addition to watering your Saguaro, providing it with liquid plant feed during the summer months will supplement its growth.
Your Saguaro might also fall victim to bacterial ooze. This can be easily treated by excavating the infected area and applying a mixture of bleach and water, about 10% bleach and 90% water, to the area.
Your Saguaro might also fall victim to bacterial ooze.
Why is the Saguaro Cactus Important to the Southwest US?
It is clear that the Saguaro cactus is a unique and iconic symbol of the desert lands that it inhabits. It is also clear that the Saguaro is particularly adept at life in the desert. However, you might be wondering what this cactus plant functionally offers the desert that it inhabits. Functionally, the Saguaro serves various purposes to the Sonoran Desert.
Provides food to desert animals: When the Saguaro blooms, many birds and insects visit its flowers. In June and early July, its fruit matures, and many desert-residing animals feed upon its fruit, juicy red pulp with 2,000 accompanying seeds.
Provides shelter to desert animals: Gila woodpeckers and gilded flickers create nesting holes by digging into the fleshy body of the Saguaro. These holes are used by other desert-residing birds such as elf owls, purple martins, house finches, and Ash-throated flycatchers.
Provides a hunting perch for predatory birds: Large birds such as the red-tailed hawk nest between the Saguaro’s body and its peripheral arms. They tend to use the tips of these arms as hunting perches.
While the Saguaro is incredibly important to the Sonoran Desert, the desert maybe even more important to the Saguaro.
Why is the Southwest US Important to the Saguaro?
Plenty of people around the world care for their own miniature Saguaro cacti at home, but in nature, they are found only in a quaint patch of desert land in the southwestern United States.
This is because the Saguaro relies heavily on its climate, and the Sonoran Desert is the only region that provides the perfect climate. The perfect climate possesses these three qualities:
Temperature: The Saguaro cactus is highly susceptible to low temperatures. The plant will only thrive in climates with minimal days below freezing per year. This is why the Saguaro is located throughout the southernmost desert states but not the more northern desert states like Nevada.
Rainfall: In addition to consistently high temperatures, the Saguaro also necessitates a certain amount of rainfall to survive. For instance, Tucson, Arizona, located in the middle of the Sonoran Desert, averages about 12 inches of rain per year, which is about 9-10 more inches than Las Vegas, Nevada typically receives.
Altitude: The Saguaro cactus is only found between sea level and roughly 4,000 feet of elevation. This is due to its susceptibility to low temperatures.
While these functional qualities make the Saguaro cactus a staple of the southwestern United States and vice versa, there is far more to the Saguaro’s importance than these characteristics.
Saguaro relies heavily on its climate, and the Sonoran Desert is the only region that provides the perfect climate
The Spiritual Importance of the Saguaro Cactus
Western films might be where the Saguaro cactus garnered its icon status to most people, but the cactus was revered long before cinema’s existence as a method for storytelling. The many indigenous tribes that lived and continue to live in the Sonoran Desert have crafted numerous mythoi for the Saguaro.
While there are numerous tribes with an array of different legends, these legends tend to depict the Saguaro as a human or a being that has the characteristics of a human. Let us take a look at a few of these legends and the tribes that crafted them.
Akimel O’odham (or Pima) – Origin of the Saguaro and Palo Verde Cacti
The Pima people, or Akimel O’odham, which translates to “river people,” are indigenous to the land that is now northwestern Mexico and central and southern Arizona. One of their legends tackles the origins of both the Saguaro and Palo Verde cactus.
The legend goes that an elderly grandmother lived with her two grandchildren, for whom she ground wheat and corn to make porridge every day. One day the grandchildren fought with each other and knocked over the “water-olla” that was heating the water for the porridge.
The grandmother spanked them as punishment, and the two grandchildren ran away in anger. The grandmother gives chase, but she loses them. Now alone, the older grandchild declares that he will turn into a Saguaro so that he will live forever and bear fruit every summer. The younger grandchild claims that he’ll turn into a Palo Verde to make the bare mountains green.
The grandmother approaches the Saguaro cactus as it whistles, recognizing the voice of the whistling to be the voice of her eldest grandson. She tries to take the cactus in her arms, but its prickly spines impale her.
Tohono O’odham (or Papago) – Legend of the Saguaro
The Papago people, or Tohono O’odham, which translates to “desert people,” are indigenous to the neighboring lands to the Akimel O’odham in the Sonoran Desert. They tell a slightly different origin story for the Saguaro cactus.
The legend goes that a young girl sank into the sand and began chanting a song. The nearby children heard the song and noticed the girl sinking into the sand. They cried for help and tried to pry the girl out of the sand, but it was no use. The young girl’s mother came running over, but by then, it was too late. The young girl was completely submerged by the sand.
One year later, the little girl regrew in that same spot in the sand as a Saguaro.
The Papago people, or Tohono O’odham, which translates to “desert people,”.
The Saguaro’s Revenge
Many of these legends, including the Akimel O’odham origin story, depict the Saguaro as a human-like entity that enacts revenge on people that have wronged it. This depiction of the Saguaro had a recent return when a true story about a Saguaro’s revenge in the 1980s gained traction on the popular fact-checking site Snopes.
The story goes that two roommates, David Grundman and James Joseph Suchochi, went shooting in the Sonoran Desert a few miles north of Arizona State Route 74. Grundman decided to take aim at some Saguaro cacti nearby and blasted several holes into its main body. According to the story, the Saguaro toppled over onto Grundman’s body, crushing him.
Although Suchochi’s revision of the story asserts that it was only an arm shot off of the Saguaro that crushed Grundman’s body, the story is largely true and serves as an excellent parallel to the Saguaro’s origin stories.
Fun Facts About the Saguaro
This article has delved into many different facets of the Saguaro cactus. However, there is still more information about the cactus plant that we have not yet covered. Here are a few fun facts about the Saguaro cactus that might not be imperative to its care or its symbolism but will undoubtedly be an absolute blast to learn.
The Saguaro’s scientific name (Carnegiea gigantea) was named after the famed industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie: The Saguaro garnered this scientific name after Carnegie established a desert lab in Tucson for indigenous plant research.
An adult Saguaro can weigh as much as 10 tons: Roughly 75% of its weight is due to the water stored inside of the cactus.
The Saguaro’s creamy white bloom is Arizona’s state flower: The Saguaro’s blossom was adopted by Arizona as its state flower in 1931.
Saguaro fruit is an important cultural icon to the Tohono O’odham Nation: The fruit has been harvested by the Tohono O’odham to make jams and jellies. However, it is also used to make wine that is consumed during the Tohono O’odham rain ceremony, Nawait I’m.
The average Saguaro cactus can contract or expand in girth up to roughly 20-25% per year: This is due to the amount of water stored inside of the cactus and made possible by the interior ribs of the Saguaro that allow it to expand and contract.
In rare cases, the Saguaro has been known to grow crested, fan-like arms rather than its iconic forked arms: This is due to a mutation in the Saguaro cactus’s cells.
An adult Saguaro can weigh as much as 10 tons
Final Thoughts
At the conclusion of this article, it should not only be clear what a Saguaro cactus is and how to properly care for it, but why this cactus, in particular, is so important to the lands it resides in.
The Saguaro is certainly an iconic symbol of Hollywood’s great Western films. However, this plant is an even greater symbol to the peoples and animals that are indigenous to the lands depicted in these Westerns.
Ultimately, the Saguaro cactus is a distinct plant that should be revered for its astonishing characteristics, and the support it provides all of those living within the same environment as it.
Anyone can fall in love with cacti plants, especially when they are blooming. They are unique plants that can survive with relatively low maintenance and care. Since cacti plants are living things, they consume and radiate energy.
Therefore, if you keep these plants indoors, you need to ensure their placement is subtle and in harmony with the overall look of your room. Basic Feng Shui principles should guide you in accomplishing this task.
So, where should you place your cactus to ensure good Feng Shui? According to basic Feng Shui principles, to bring good Feng Shui, make sure your plants go in the fame and reputation quadrant. This is the section of your house dedicated to your personality and what you desire to show to the outside world. The fame and reputation Bagua quadrant corner corresponds to the fire element, and colors present in this section should be bright and fiery such as red, yellow, or orange.
In this post, we discuss everything you need to know about good Feng Shui and cacti plants. We shall help you understand what Feng Shui is all about and how you can use the practice to arrange your cacti plants to bring good vibes to your indoors.
So, let us get started.
The Basic Principles of Feng Shui: A Quick Overview
Feng Shui is a Chinese term used to refer to the practice of looking at our living spaces and working environment and finding a way of striking balance with the natural world. The two words translate to “wind” and “water,” respectively.
The concept was derived from an ancient poem that talks about our lives flowing with and being connected to the environment around it. The basic principles of Feng Shui are; the commanding position, the Bagua, and the five elements.
1. The commanding position
This refers to the spot in a room that is furthest from the entrance and not in direct line with it. Basically, the commanding position practice puts you diagonal to the door when you are sitting at this spot. However, it maintains a clear line of sight with the door.
The commanding position practice puts you diagonal to the door when you are sitting at this spot.
Ideally, this is where you should be spending most of your time. Feng Shui principles suggest that you determine this spot in your favorite room then place your stove, desk, or bed in a diagonal alignment if possible.
The three items are important because they represent essential parts of your life. The bed represents you (who you are), the stove represents your health and nourishment, and the desk acts as an extension of your career.
2. The Bagua Map
A Bagua is a term used in Feng Shui to mean an energy map that is superimposed on the floor plan of your house. The word “Bagua” translates to “eight areas.” According to Feng Shui principles, each of the eight areas on the map represent a different life circumstance such as career, wealth, or family.
Each of the eight areas corresponds to different shapes, colors, seasons, earthly elements, and numbers. At the center of this map is a ninth element that represents your overall health and wellness. The element is, you.
3. The five elements
Metal, water, fire, wood, and earth are the elements of Feng Shui, which represent different phases of the life.
The five elements of Feng Shui are metal, water, fire, wood, and earth. These elements represent five interrelated phases in your life that work together to create a complete system.
Feng Shui works to create a balance between the five elements and integrate them into different areas of your life.
To integrate the five elements in your home and life, you must decide where you want to focus your energy.
From the commanding position, you can only choose one area of your life that you want to improve, and then you strengthen your energy in that area by adding specific colors and shapes. You can read more about Feng Shui here.
What Is Wrong with Cacti Plants?
The presence of spines all around the cacti bodies generates negative energy.
Now that you understand the basic principles of Feng Shui let us evaluate why you need to be careful with these succulents when growing them indoors.
Generally, plants bring positive Feng Shui to your home. However, cacti plants are quite different, and you have to place them in specific spots to enjoy positive energy. We do not deny the fact that these are nice plants that emit strong protective energy.
However, the biggest problem is their spines/needles. Since their spines are tiny and look like hundreds of arrows, they tend to shoot negative energy into the surrounding space.
This is the primary reason why you need to choose a good placement for your cacti plants, according to Feng Shui. Cacti plants can bring bad vibes if you place them in the wrong area.
Areas Where You Shouldn’t Put a cactus Plant in Your Home
You should avoid putting your cacti in the living room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom.
If you suddenly get itchy, irritable, or nervous after you have just purchased a cactus plant and placed it in your indoor areas, then you should conduct quick research to find out what is disturbing you. It might be the plant that you have just brought in.
Typically, cacti plants shouldn’t be placed in the following areas of your home:
1. Living room
A living room is a place that should have good Feng Shui. It should be calm and secluded from the other areas of your house because this is where you come when you want to feel comfort and peace.
If you have cacti plants all over the place, they will continuously poke you with their pointed spines, making you feel uncomfortable. Therefore, unless the fame and reputation Bagua quadrant is in your living room, do not put cacti plants there.
2. Kitchen
A kitchen is a place where you prepare meals and drinks for your family or guests, and you don’t want your food to taste awkward.
Positioning a cactus plant in the kitchen area might spoil the taste of your food because the plant’s spines produce negative energy, which could be transferred to the food you are preparing and eventually to the people eating the food.
3. Bathroom
Bathrooms are also not a good place to put cacti plants because when you are there, you need peace of mind. However, there is one exception. If you want to convert your bathroom to your fame and reputation quadrant, then you can position your cactus plant there.
4. Bedroom
Your bedroom is probably the only place you find comfort and peace while you sleep. Therefore, you wouldn’t want any negative energy to disturb your peace and sleep after a long day at work. If you place cacti plants in your bedroom, you may get pricked now and then.
5. Areas close to the entrance or outside your main door
Don’t place your cacti plants close to the main door unless you have annoying neighbors that you want to keep away. If that is not the case, you want the area around the main door to be free to allow new and refreshing energy to stream into your house.
6. Office desk
Placing a cactus plant on your office desk is also a bad idea because it can chase away potential customers and business partners. You want to keep your working space as tidy as possible and free from negative energy.
So, Where Should You Place Your Cactus to Ensure Good Feng Shui
Putting your cactus in the fame and reputation Bagua quadrantwill generate good Feng Shui.
If you have read this article up to this point, I’m sure you already know where to place your cactus to ensure good Feng Shui. Don’t worry if you skipped directly to this section because we shall explain everything in detail.
Generally, if you want to bring good Feng Shui to your home, you need to make sure that your cacti plants go into the fame and reputation Bagua quadrant.
The fame and reputation Bagua quadrant is part of your house that is dedicated to your personality and what you desire to show to the outside world. The section is usually located in the far back corner of the middle portion of your living space.
As mentioned earlier, there are nine quadrants on the Bagua map. The ninth section of the map is dedicated to you and your reputation. It defines what you and what you want to contribute to the outside world.
The main element of this quadrant is fire. You can use any fire symbol, including a bright red color, to bring good Feng Shui to this section. Orange and yellow are also acceptable.
The fame corner is always the right place to place any personal achievements such as medals, trophies, awards, degree certificates, and so on. This is also the right place to install a fireplace.
Additionally, you can position your cacti plants on windows to keep away enemies. When positioned on windows, these plants will work towards protecting your home, career, and reputation.
Final Thoughts
Cacti plants are good indoor plants but where you position them in the house matters. The safest position for a cactus plant in your home is the fame and reputation Bagua quadrant that represents your personality and what you desire to show to the outside world.
Make sure your cacti plants are not positioned in your living room, bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, or close to the main door. Otherwise, these succulents may affect your life in ways you didn’t expect.
Do you have cacti plants in your home? Let us know where you have positioned them and how they have impacted your life in the comments section below.
Cacti are unique and popular plants that are known for their distinct appearance and exceptional characteristics. Most of these succulents thrive in relatively hot and dry climates. Unlike most plants, a cactus requires minimal amounts of water to survive since it can store water in its stem for a relatively long period.
So, how many types of cactus are there? The Cactaceae family consists of approximately 150 genera and 2,500 species found in different parts of the world. A significant number of these species are adapted to growing in arid environments, although some of them are native to rainforests and tropical climate. Most of them have reduced leaves that are modified into spines and photosynthetic stems.
While most cacti plants are known to be desert plants, they can grow and thrive in a home environment too. But before you start growing these amazing plants, you need to know the different types of cacti that exist and their unique needs.
In this post, we discuss essential information about cacti plants that you need to know. We shall talk about their classification, some of the unique physical characteristics they possess, and some of the common types of cacti plants you can grow in your home.
Classifications of a Cactus Plant
Classification refers to the process of listing an organism or plant into different groups to which it belongs. The classification starts from the highest group, which is the Kingdom to the lowest group; the species.
As you move from the top group (kingdom) to the lowest group (species), the characteristics of the organism become more specific and defined. So, let us see how a cactus plant is classified into the seven different groups.
All cacti are succulents but not all succulents are cacti
1. Kingdom
Since a cactus is a plant, it falls into Kingdom Plantae. This is the highest group in our classification, and there nothing unique about it except for the fact that it houses all plants.
2. Phylum and Division
All cacti plants belong to thePhylum Tracheophyta and division Anthophyta. Phylum Tracheophyta features all vascular plants, while division Anthophyta features flowering plants or angiosperms.
3. Class and Subclass
These succulents are part of class Magnoliopsida, also referred to as dicots and subclass Caryophyllidae. All plants in this class and subclass are typically insect-pollinated, and their seeds have two cotyledons hence the name dicots.
4. Order and Family
Cacti plants belong to order Caryophyllales andfamily Cactaceae. Order Caryophyllales features a group of approximately 26 families of flowering plants subdivided into about 12,500 different species. The families in this order include Cactaceae (cacti), Portulacaceae (purslanes), Didiereaceae, and the carnivorous plant families Nepenthes and Droseraceae.
5. Genus
There are approximately 150 different genera in the family of Cactaceae divided into three broad subgroups or tribes. The subgroups are:
Opunitieae:Genera Opuntia features branched plants that may or may not have spines but have fine hairs referred to as glochids. Their leaves are cylindrical or flat, and their fruit is usually seedy. The most common example of plants in this genus is the prickly pear cactus.
Pereskieae: Plants in this subgroup have woody stems, and their areolas are spiny and woolly at the leaf axis. Their leaves are also semideciduous, and their fruits are mostly fleshy.
Cactoidea: This tribe has about 100 genera, and most cacti plants are found here. Some of the common subtribes of Cactoidea include cactinae, Trichocereinae, Echinocereinae, Browninginae, and Hylocereinae.
Physical Characteristics of Cacti Plants
Now that you understand the general classification of these succulents, it is time to discuss the unique physical characteristics that distinguish them from other plants.
In most cases, cacti plants can easily be distinguished from other succulent plants by the presence of areoles on their surface. These are small hair-like structures and occur in almost all cacti species. Areoles are modified branches from which other branches, leaves, and flowers grow.
Cacti plants also have a relatively thick and herbaceous stem. The primary function of the stem is to store water and photosynthesize. Keep in mind that the spines which serve as leaves on these plants cannot photosynthesize.
In most cacti species, leaves are reduced and modified into spines, which minimize the amount of water lost through transpiration. Only the tropical genera Pereskopsis and Pereskia have true looking and photosynthetic leaves. The Christmas and Holiday cacti that are native to rainforests of Brazil also have true leaves.
The roots of these plants are generally thin, fibrous, and shallow to absorb water effectively.
These succulents also vary in size and appearance, from the low clumps of Opuntia prickly to the relatively tall columns of barrel cacti and the imposing stature of the giant saguaro. Most of them grow in the ground, but a few species, including the leaf cactus (Epiphyllum), Schlumbergera, and Rhipsalis, are epiphytes meaning they grow on other plants or hard surfaces such as rocks.
However, this doesn’t mean that these cacti plants are parasitic. They only use other plants and rocks to gain support but have their own means of obtaining food and water.
The primary method of reproduction is by seeds, although you can propagate cacti plants from cuttings. They produce beautiful flowers mostly during summer. Their flowers are often large and colorful. Some cacti species, such as the prickly pear, produce edible fruits.
Some of the Common Types of Cacti Plants
Although these plants are well known for growing outdoors in arid areas, some of them do great in a home setting when watered and taken care of properly. If you are looking to bring some cacti plants into your home, you should consider going for one of the following common types of cacti:
1. Christmas Cactus
One of the most popular types of cacti is the Christmas cactus that is native to the tropical rainforest of Brazil. This plant is in the Schlumbergera family.
Christmas cactus doesn’t have true leaves but its long, flat stems extend to form leaf-like structures. Its name is derived from its unique characteristic of flowering during winter, just around Christmas time.
Christmas cactus
It produces yellow, red, pink, or white flowers. To ensure that your Christmas cactus flowers, you need to keep it in a relatively cool environment, water sparingly, and expose it to prolonged periods of darkness. Typically, the plant should get between 12-14 hours of darkness every day.
2. Barrel Cactus
Barrel cactus is a group name for a specific type of barrel-shaped cacti native to North and South America. Plants that fall into this group are characterized by their ribbed, cylindrical shape. They come in different sizes, but all of them are cylindrical.
The barrel cactus usually requires plenty of sunlight but not much water. In fact, a barrel cactus can still survive and thrive even with one watering session every three months as long as you expose it to sufficient lighting.
Therefore, make sure you keep potted barrel cactus in the warmest room of your house and position it on north-facing windows if you live in the southern hemisphere or east-facing windows if you live in the northern hemisphere.
3. Old Lady Cactus
TheMammillaria Hahniana, commonly referred to as the Old Lady Cactus, is native to Mexico and grows up to ten inches tall and 20 inches broad. Its stunning spherical stems are usually covered in sharp white spines and white hairs hence the name Old lady cactus.
The Old Lady cactus is easy to take care of, and as long as you do everything right.
This plant doesn’t like being lonely, which explains the reason why you will always find them growing in groups creating a beautiful collection of spheres. During summer, the spherical ball of the plant begins to take a new look.
The balls start flowering with reddish-purple flowers forming a stunning crown at the tip of the plants. The flowers look like a headband creating a perfect halo effect. The Old Lady cactus is easy to take care of, and as long as you do everything right, you will always have a show to savor every summer.
4. Bunny Ears Cactus
Bunny Ears cactus is also native to Mexico and grows indoors quite well. Some people call it the Bunny cactus, while others refer to it as Angel’s Wings cactus.
The plant looks comical thanks to its large green pads that resemble a rabbit’s ears. An indoor bunny cactus can grow to a height of 60cm. However, just like most cacti, the bunny cactus is slow-growing and will take some years to reach the maximum height.
It doesn’t flower regularly, but its general appearance is beautiful. The plant has fine hair-like glochids that are extremely thin. Its glochids can cause severe irritation if they penetrate through your skin hence the need to be careful if you decide to grow this plant in your home.
5. Saguaro
The final cactus on our list of top five common types of cacti is the saguaro plant that is native to the Sonoran Desert in Arizona. Although this plant is slow-growing, it can reach a height of 60 feet and can be used as a good indoor plant for many years before the need to move it outdoors.
The saguaro has a barrel-shaped body, which gives it a classical cactus appearance. It requires a lot of sunlight to thrive. Therefore, if you are keeping it indoors, be sure to position it in a spot that receives plenty of direct sunlight.
The plant can hold water for long, so you don’t have to water it frequently. However, when watering, ensure you do so deeply and wait until the soil is completely dry before watering again.
Saguaro cactus
6. Moon Cactus
The moon cactus is a type of cactus that is native to Brazil. It is a small cactus that only grows to be about 3-5 inches tall. The moon cactus gets its name from its shape, which resembles a round ball. The top of the moon cactus is usually brightly colored with colors such as yellow, pink, or red. The bottom of the plant is usually green.
The moon cactus does not require a lot of care. It does best in bright, indirect light but can also tolerate low light conditions. When watering, allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. Moon cacti are not heavy feeders, so they do not need to be fertilized often.
7. Prickly Pear Cactus
The prickly pear cactus is a type of cactus that is native to Mexico. It is a large cactus that can grow up to 6 feet tall and 10 feet wide.
The prickly pear cactus gets its name from the round, fleshy fruits it produces, also called prickly pears. The fruits of the prickly pear cactus are edible and have a sweet, juicy taste.
The prickly pear cactus does best in full sun but can also tolerate partial shade. When watering, allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. Prickly pear cacti are not heavy feeders, so they do not need to be fertilized often.
8. Spiny Pincushion Cactus
The spiny pincushion cactus is mostly found in the deserts of Arizona and Mexico. It is a small cactus that only grows to be about 2-4 inches tall.
The spiny pincushion cactus gets its name from its small, spiny flowers that bloom on the plant. The flowers are usually white or yellow.
The spiny pincushion cactus does best in full sun but can also tolerate partial shade. When watering, allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. Spiny pincushion cacti do not need to be fertilized to thrive.
9. Star Cactus
The star cactus is native to Mexico and can grow to about four inches tall. It is a small, round cactus that gets its name from the star-shaped flowers that it produces. The flowers of the star cactus are usually pink or white.
The star cactus does best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. When watering, allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again.
Summary
If you have been feeling that inner calling to grow plants and you want to embrace it, then acquiring a cactus plant is a great place to start. These plants are relatively easy to maintain and don’t require much attention to thrive.
We hope you enjoyed reading this post, and we’d love to hear from you. So, feel free to leave your comments, queries, or contributions in the comments section below.
If there’s one plant that seems easy to grow, especially for newcomers trying to have houseplants, it’s cactus. It’s easy to see why. They are low maintenance and look gorgeous all year long. There are so many though that it is not easy to know which ones to start with.
Finding the right cactus for your home can be a little tough, especially if you are new to growing plants. Each cactus has its own needs, blossoms, and aesthetics. Before you decide to buy, it is a good idea to know what you should look for.
The 13 Best Cacti to Grow Indoors
Are you looking to get your indoor gardening on, but don’t quite know where to begin with cacti? You are not alone. Thankfully, we decided to break down the perks, pitfalls, and needs of each type of indoor-friendly cactus to make the decision easier for you.
Star Cactus – Best for Desktop Growth
Star Cactus with white-yellow to pinkish flowers can be used as a beautiful desktop decoration.
It’s hard to ignore the beauty of this petite flowering cactus type. These gorgeous cacti offer up white-yellow flowers with a red center when they hit their blooming season. Since they don’t grow too large, they are an ideal choice for desktop gardening.
These cacti reach a top diameter of six inches and spend their first two years as small, round, slightly star-shaped cacti. If you’re patient and care for your cactus, you should expect to see it blossom in two years.
Believe it or not, these cacti work well in the cold. They typically thrive from 20 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit and require easy-draining soil. With a little watering and love, they will be amazing flowery companions.
Bunny Ears – Best for Statements
Bunny Ears Cactus, is a plant with soft pricks. The cactus needs lots of daylight to blossom.
These humorously nicknamed cacti are a favorite in the American Southwest for both indoors and outdoors growing. Unlike the Star Cactus, Bunny Ears cactus grow to a reasonably large size. Depending on care and age, you can expect these clump-forming cacti to grow up to six feet in height and three feet in width.
Plant parents who are looking for a large, attention-grabbing cactus will like Bunny Ears. These cacti don’t have spines but do have pricks. When cared for properly, you can expect a small amount of milky yellow flowers, followed up with deep purple fruits.
Bunny Ears cacti are major sun lovers, so you will need a bunch of daylight to make these cacti blossom. To ensure that you get the gorgeous blooms you want, you’ll need to have indoor temperatures ranging from 55 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Old Lady Cactus – Best for Easy Care
Old Lady Cactus is a low-maintenance cactus with gorgeous purple flowers.
Old Lady Cacti, also known as Mammillaria Hahniana, are one of the most popular types of cacti to grow in Central Mexico. Though it’s a favorite among modern homes, it still has a greyish, fuzzy appearance caused by its many, many spines.
Round and petite, the Old Lady Cactus is adorable with its petite four-inch high stature. When it’s in bloom, it shows off beautiful purple flowers that are bound to get compliments from those who visit.
This plant is an excellent indoor-outdoor cactus. It requires loads of sun, minimal watering, and time outdoors during the warmer months of the year. This makes it one of the best cacti for people who want a plant with minimal care.
Fairy Castle Cacti – Best for New Gardeners
Fairy Castle Cactus with several long spiny stems can grow up to 6-feet tall.
With its traditional “cactus” appearance, the Fairy Castle Cactus is known for its multiple long stems and noticeable spines. Because it tends to look somewhat like a pint-sized building due to its bulkiness, people call it a “fairy castle.”
This beautiful cactus is a great option for people who are looking for a long-term project. Though you can buy them at a very petite size, these cacti can grow to a whopping six feet in height. They grow very slowly, so you won’t have to worry about them outgrowing your home for years.
If you’re interested in getting a Fairy Castle of your own, you should grab some cactus potting soil and expect to place it in full-grown sun. After ten years or so, you should expect to see some beautiful white blooms.
Barrel Cactus – Best for Low Nutrient Growers
Barrel cacti are characterized by cylindrical shape with spines all over the surface.
Barrel cacti come in a wide range of sizes, but they all have the same cylindrical, ribbed, and spiny appearance in common. Most barrel cacti that are sold in stores don’t get too large in height, making them a great mid-size cactus that will draw attention with ease.
Among interior designers, they love the look of these cacti and their (typical) foot-long height. Among gardeners, barrel cacti are known for being exceptionally low maintenance, even among other cactus species.
These cacti require minimal (read: almost no) watering and do better in low-nutrient soil. These cacti are so easy to work with, you only need to fertilize them once a year!
Barbary Fig – Best for People Who Want Homegrown Food
Barbary Fig, also known as Prickly Pear, is a fruit-bearing cactus with initial red and yellow blossoms.
The Barbary Fig is a unique cactus in the sense that it is a popular cactus to grow for commercial purposes. While it’s got the potential to reach a staggering 33 feet in height, it will stay petite if placed in a small pot. So, you have a lot of control when it comes to the size it grows to.
You might be wondering why commercial growers love the idea of growing Barbary Figs. The reason is simple: they are one of the few cacti that grow mouthwateringly delicious fruit in large quantities. Needless to say, having a Barbary Fig is a great addition to your kitchen!
If you want to get a Barbary Fig, you can expect to see beautiful red and yellow flowers shortly before this cactus bears fruit. Like most other cacti, these cacti work best with minimal watering and full sun. If possible, try to grow these in a hot climate since they require hot temperatures!
As for the actual fruit, they’re best peeled and eaten raw. Yum!
Moon Cactus – Best for Shady Homes
Growing up to 8 inches in height, Moon Cactus is a plant with bright pink, orange, or yellow upper body.
It’s hard to ignore the beauty of a moon cactus. These impressive cacti grow anywhere from one to eight inches in height. What makes them unique is that they take a lot of effort to seed, graft, and cultivate due to a novel mutation. Thankfully, growing them once they have sprouted is a cinch.
With their bright pink, orange, or yellow tops, moon cacti must be specially cultivated due to their inability to produce chlorophyll. Store-bought cacti are already made grafted and ready to produce chlorophyll, which is why they are your best option.
Moon cacti are one of the rare types of cacti that work well with shade. Too much sun can and will scorch them. Though they do not need too much sunlight, they will need a little heat. Temperatures as lower than 48 degrees will hurt them.
Easter Cactus – Best for Flower Lovers
Easter Cactus features bright red lotus-like blossoms during April and May.
Most cacti flower, but rarely enough that it’s a big deal when they do. This is not the case with Easter Cacti, which are known for their bright, beautiful, lotus-like flowers that shoot right out of its green stem. They have so many flowers that you would be forgiven if you mistook them for a regular flowerbed plant!
The thing about Easter Cacti you should be aware of is that they only flower two months in the year—April and May. However, they’re perennial and will bloom again and again. When cared for properly, you can expect these cacti to grow to a size of one square foot. That makes them great plants for smaller homes.
Considering their top blooming season, it’s unsurprising that they like warm-ish temperatures. Do not put them in direct sunlight, though, since the harsh sun can easily wilt those tender flowers. A better option would be to put them in bright, yet indirect natural sun—-much like what you would get from light through sheer curtains.
Ladyfinger Cactus – Best for Windowsills
With its petite “towers” of spiny greenery, it’s easy to see where the nickname of “ladyfinger” came from. They bear a remarkable similarity to the sandwich cookies. Unlike those popular cookies, these cacti bear pretty little flowers that will bring a splash of color to any home.
People looking for a small cactus that thrives in sun to partial shade are going to love the small, cute, and easy to care for fun that ladyfingers offer. This cactus requires minimal water during the summer. When it goes dormant in winter, you might not need to water it at all.
This cactus has strikingly similar needs to succulents, especially when you consider the low maintenance requirements. That makes it a great starter plant for people who just want a little windowsill beauty.
Dwarf Chin Cactus – Best for Heavy Shade
If there is one thing that this list proves, it’s that cacti rarely ever are just all green towers of spines. They have the propensity to have flowers and fruit that add serious color that can rival any rose, tulip, or peony. The Dwarf Chin Cactus is an excellent example of this in action.
Though these spiny cacti will only grow to a maximum of six inches, they pack a serious punch of beauty. When they are in full bloom, these cacti produce flowers that come in a wide range of colors—brilliant red, sunny yellow, rich salmon, and hot pink, just to name a few.
Surprisingly, these cacti do best in heavy shade. So, if you thought that you needed to have brightly lit areas to have a cactus inside your home, you’re wrong. The Dwarf Chin Cactus is a perfect pick for your indoor garden.
Christmas Cactus – Best for Wintery Cheer
Christmas Cactus requires nutrient-rich soil to blossom in the middle of winter, usually in December.
The Christmas Cactus doesn’t get its name for its orange blooms atop its green spine. Rather, it gets its nickname from its tendency to bloom in the middle of winter, mostly in the middle of December. The stalks of these cacti droop over pots and have leaf-like folds, giving them a unique shape that raises eyebrows.
If you decided to go indoor gardening during the winter, this might be one of the few cacti you will see for sale. They are regularly offered up as Christmas centerpieces, particularly in the American Southwest. Finding them during other times of the year can prove to be a little tricky.
This cactus is unusual in that it needs a lot of lush, nutrient-rich soil to thrive. Aside from that, doing the routine of minimal water and moderate sunlight is all you need to make them happy.
Saguaro Cactus – Best for Traditionalists
When most people think of a cactus, they are thinking of a Saguaro cactus. These cacti are the tall, spiny plants that are typically tower above people when they’re left to grow out in the United States. Their reputation for being extremely tall often dissuades people from having them, but don’t dismiss them quite yet.
Saguaro cacti are known for being huge, but they start off incredibly petite. They also are notoriously slow growers, so the fear of having your cactus poke holes in your ceiling is unfounded. If you love petite cacti, you will love how cute Saguaros can be when they are young and placed in a small pot.
If you choose to get a Saguaro, you might need to be a little more involved than a typical cactus owner. You will need to house it in draining grit and give it minimal water. Lots of sun and warm weather are a must-have for these gentle giants.
Believe it or not, Saguaro cacti can blossom. However, chances are you will not see them bloom since it can take up to 35 years or more before a single blossom can happen.
Queen of the Night Cactus – Best for Night Owls
Queen of the Night Cactus displays its mesmerizing pearly white to pinkish blooms during nighttime.
Cacti typically bloom in the daytime, but not this one. The Queen of the Night only will display its gorgeous flowers during nighttime. Despite the gothic name, the flowers on this home-friendly cactus are a beautiful, almost pearly white.
Like Saguaros, the Queen of the Night is a cactus species that has a reputation for being a tall grower—and rightfully so. These perennials can grow up to a whopping 10 feet tall if they are given enough space and time. These plants love shady areas that mimic the darkness of jungle floors.
When adding soil, make sure that your cactus gets a nice amount of ventilation. If you want then to bloom, make sure to add fertilizer to their soil once during the spring. These cacti are slow growers, so don’t be disappointed if they do not seem to noticeably grow.
Picking the Right Cacti for You
Every cactus is a little different in terms of maintenance, biological needs, and appearance. Some cacti are known for being a little on the plain side, while others are celebrated for their vibrant flowers. Some, such as the Barbary Fig, are noted for their edible fruits.
You cannot treat cacti like a “one size fits all” matter. If you want to choose a good cactus for your lifestyle, it’s important to consider these factors:
Sunlight. Most cacti require bright, direct sunlight. If you live in a shady area, this limits the number of cacti you can grow. You might be better off with a Queen of the Night, or a Moon Cactus in those cases.
Free Space. Cacti vary greatly in size. Some can be as tiny as an inch high. Others can grow up to dozens of feet tall. If you have limited space, it’s important to choose a cactus that “maxes out” at a small size or that grows exceptionally slowly.
Temperature. Though some cacti can survive in temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit, most require a temperature around 50 to 70 degrees to live. Some thrive in even higher daily temperatures, so placing your cactus near a heater might not be a bad idea.
Blooms. Not all cactuses have flowers, though most of them do. If you are focused on aesthetics, then you might want to learn more about how each cactus blooms and what it means for your apartment or home’s look.
Potting.Believe it or not, some cacti have a hard time sharing pots with others. For example, the Saguaros are famous for competing with other plants’ resources and killing them through nutrient draining. Other cacti work well in groups.
Required Maintenance. Cacti might be low maintenance compared to most other types of plant life, but that does not mean they all have virtually no need for help. Some cacti are more demanding than others—especially when it comes to fertilization, water, or sunlight. If you are worried about being tight on time, getting a notably low-maintenance cactus is ideal.
What Are the Best Types of Cacti to Grow Indoors?
The best cacti for newbies all have a couple of traits in common. They are hardy, they require little water, and they are not going to grow too tall too quickly.
Are Cacti Safe to Have Around Pets?
Unlike other plants, cacti are generally not poisonous. This makes them a great choice for people who have pets that like to chew on things or kids who might be a little too curious for their own good. Though they might not be poisonous, they still aren’t for every household.
Some cacti have spines that harbor bacteria on their spikes, which can cause a variety of ailments. You should research the cactus’ toxicity before bringing it indoors if you’re concerned about poisonous plants near your pets or children. While most commercially sold cacti are not poisonous, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
What Do You Need to Grow Cactus?
Growing cactus is not as demanding as other flowers, like roses or orchids. That’s one of the reasons why they’re appealing to newbie gardeners and why busy homeowners tend to love having them around.
Though they are easy to grow, you still need to get supplies. While the distinct needs of each cactus species can vary, these supplies below are usually advisable:
Clay Pots. Most cacti need to be in clay pots rather than plastic pots. The clay helps wick away excess moisture and keep soil dry.
Cactus Soil. While some cacti can use regular potting soil or a mixture of sand and soil, getting quality soil designed with cacti in mind is usually ideal. If you cannot find cactus soil near you, most cactus types can also make do with potting soil that has small amounts of sand mixed in.
Fertilizer. Though cacti don’t need a lot of nutrients in most cases, a little fertilizer is still necessary. This is doubly true if you want them to bloom.
Gravel. This isn’t required, per se, but a lot of homeowners find that adding a light (or sparse) layer of multicolored gravel can help bring a new level of beauty to a potted cactus or succulent.
Are Cacti Safe to Have Around Kids?
Since cacti are generally prickly (unlike succulents), it’s important to make sure that any cacti you choose to raise will not be near klutzy people or near kids who might get reckless and prick themselves.
Certain age groups are at particular risk of getting pricked or having cactus-related injuries. If you are a parent to a toddler or children under the age of six, it’s best to consider getting plants other than a cactus.
Are There Any Types of Cacti You Should Avoid?
For the most part, commercial growers do not sell cacti that are openly dangerous or unusually high maintenance. If you are new to growing cacti, you should stick to common, mainstream species.
Exotic species are rare to find in households for a reason. They are often species that require extremely specific growing conditions, cannot be sprouted naturally, or are poisonous to the touch. There are also exotic cacti that cannot be grown indoors or transplanted into a different pot. That is usually why stores are hesitant to sell them.
It’s not always easy to know if a cactus is exotic or poisonous. If you are in a specialty store, the best thing you can do is ask some of the staff members to advise you on which cacti are better for indoor gardens or beginners.
Can You Plant Multiple Cacti in One Pot?
The general answer is yes, as long as the cactus types you choose are not known for competing for resources and are given ample space. Many cactus gardeners start out their indoor gardens with larger pots containing multiple types of cacti.
It’s better to stick multiple plants of the same type in a single pot.
If you choose to go this route, make sure to choose cacti that require similar soil types. Otherwise, you might end up causing one plant to suffer due to improper potting. If you want to keep things on the safe side, it’s better to stick multiple plants of the same type in a single pot.
How to Keep Your Cactus Alive During the Winter
Cacti are perennials that are a lot hardier than people make them out to be. The worry about keeping them at high heat is often unfounded since most cacti only need to have an average temperature between 40- and 60-degrees Fahrenheit. Some can go even lower, with a minimum temperature of 20 degrees.
It’s a common misconception that cacti look the same year-round, Many, if not most, cacti go dormant in the winter. If you notice your cactus looking a little wilted or brown, do not panic. Check to see if it’s time for it to go dormant and reduce your watering schedule. With time, it will be able to bloom once more.
Conclusion
When you’re just starting your own indoor garden, getting a cactus seems like an easy way to get a splash of color for minimal effort—and it absolutely can be. When in a house filled with responsible individuals, owning one or more cacti can be a great way to have a low-maintenance indoor garden that makes a serious statement.
Choosing a cactus that is appropriate for your indoor garden isn’t something you should take lightly. While everyone loves Moon Cacti, Barbary Figs, and Saguaros, the space and conditions you have available to you will need to play a deciding factor in which plants you choose to get.
After you choose the right cacti, the rest of your indoor gardening journey is pretty straightforward. All you have to do is follow the care instructions your cactus comes with, and with time, you’ll be able to see beautiful cactus blossoms and enjoy your garden for years to come.
No matter if you live in an arid environment or your thumb just isn’t as green as you’d like it to be, desert plants can make a gorgeous addition to your landscaping and give you a garden you can be proud of. Usually, when the desert is mentioned, our minds automatically revert to miles of sand and nothingness. Surprisingly, there is a large variety of desert plants with different colors, textures, sizes, and features to make your yard stand out.
The top ten desert plants you can plant in your garden are:
Texas Sage
Mexican Feather Grass
Pencil Plant
Living Stone
Zebra Cactus
Desert Marigold
Ocotillo
Aloe Vera
Fox Tail Agave
Paddle Plant
In this article, we’ll be discussing each of the above plants in detail, as well as providing you with some desert garden inspiration.
Texas Sage is a beautiful low-maintenance desert plant with purple blooms.
A drought-tolerant desert shrub, Texas Sage is a hardy plant that can withstand areas with high heat and even low winter temperatures (down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit).
Though its thin branches and rounded, soft leaves may give this plant a dainty appearance, Texas Sage is tough and long-lasting, providing deer resistance to your garden and acting as a preventative to soil erosion thanks to its robust root system. Perfect for filling in significant gaps in your desert garden, this sage plant can grow upwards of 5 feet tall and wide.
While Texas Sage is mostly a pale green throughout the year, during summer, this shrub produces vibrant blooms of primarily lavender purple or white on each stem and continues to blossom through the fall.
Texas Sage Care
Because Texas sage is a desert plant, care is minimal and infrequent. Follow these guidelines for healthy Texas Sage:
Texas Sage should be placed in an area of your garden that receives full sun daily (around 6 to 8 hours).
This desert plant won’t need to be pruned. It’s best to let it be to keep it healthy and lush.
You should water Texas Sage once every week for about three weeks until your plants are well established in your garden. Then, rainfall should suffice to keep your Texas Sage quenched. If drought persists, water once and then water again when the soil is visibly dry. Don’t overwater. Too much water can kill Texas Sage.
Soil should drain quickly. Texas Sage is prone to root rot and should not be placed in areas that hold water for long periods.
In general, Texas Sage is a breeze to care for. You’ll barely have to water it and won’t have to water it at all during the rainy season, and it can survive pretty extreme year-round temperatures. Take care not to overwater, as these desert plants are sensitive to too much water.
Texas Sage Uses
Place at the back of a desert garden bed as a backdrop.
Use as a privacy screen around a patio or along the line between you and your neighbor’s property (be sure the plants are obviously on your side to avoid potential conflict).
Plant Texas Sage as a natural border around pool areas or to separate gardens.
Use as an outline around garden features such as dry riverbeds.
If you’re looking to add a flowy appearance to your desert garden, Mexican Feather Grass is the way to go. Hundreds of thin, long blades cluster together to create a wispy aura and are darker in color the closer you get to the roots. In the summer, this desert plant’s seed heads are a pale golden color and silky in appearance.
Mexican Feather Grass is a drought-resistant plant, as well as a deer preventative, making it great for hot climates. However, this ornamental grass is quite invasive and will readily spread to wherever it pleases. A plus side to its invasiveness is that it helps immensely with erosion, thanks to Mexican Feather Grass’ complex and deep root system.
Mexican Feather Grass Care
Like most desert plants, Mexican Feather Grass doesn’t require much babysitting. Here’s how to maintain these beautiful, dancing plants:
Plant in an area that receives full sun each day (around 6 to 8 hours) for the best results.
For the most part, rainfall is enough to keep Mexican Feather Grass watered sufficiently. However, for particularly hard summers, you may want to deeply water these plants once every month or two months.
Mexican Feather Grass should be planted in an area with well-drained soil that doesn’t flood.
To prevent spreading, remove the seed heads from your Mexican Feather Grass each summer and early Fall.
Pencil Plant is a drought-tolerant with rounded branches.
Native to Africa, the Pencil Plant is a highly drought-tolerant and interesting plant that would bring intrigue to any desert garden.
Naturally green in color, the Pencil plant will turn a coral or yellowish shade if it’s under environmental stresses such as too little water or cooler temperatures. Its branches are rounded and smooth in appearance and branch off of a central stem. In their ideal habitat, Pencil Plants can grow as tall as 30 feet and a few feet wide. In most North American habitats, it’s not unusual to see them reach heights of 6 or more feet.
Pencil Plant Care
Care for a Pencil Plant, though a little more than the previous plants on our list, is still relatively low:
The plant should receive between6 to 8 hours of full sun each day.
Pencil Plant should be watered once every 2 or 3 weeks in the summer. Not at all in the winter.
Plant in soil that is gritty and well-drained.
Pencil Plant Uses
Use as a splash of color in your desert garden. Purposefully withholding water (for example, only watering once a month) can change the color of your green Pencil Plant to coral.
Plant on any high ground. Because Pencil Plant can grow so large, their towering figures would look beautiful on hilly landscapes.
Living Stone is characterized by the stone-like appearance and the ability to stay alive in harsh conditions.
A definite show-stopper and conversation-starter, Living Stone is a desert plant you won’t want to miss out on. A low-lying succulent (around an inch tall) with a slick-top surface, Living Stone resembles just that — a colorful, patterned desert stone. This Africa Native thrives in blistering temperatures and would make a unique addition as fillers for your desert garden.
Living Stone Care
Doing best in extreme environments, it’s important not to baby your Living Stone plants to keep them happy and healthy.
Don’t water when dormant (fall to spring). In the summer, rainfall should suffice. If it’s particularly dry, water once a month when the ground is visibly parched.
Zebra Cactus is pretty similar to Aloe Vera, but it has white stripes like a zebra.
To add a pattern to your desert garden, consider the eye-catching Zebra Cactus. With a similar appearance to Aloe Vera, one striking difference of this plant is its oddball coloring resembling the stripes of a zebra.
Though the rigid leaves are dark green, they boast bright white stripes that are enough to draw anyone’s attention right to your desert landscape. They’re generally small in size, around 5 inches tall, and slow-growing, making them great for virtually any garden.
Zebra Cactus Care
These plants aren’t one to make a fuss out of severe living conditions. Care is minimal and infrequent:
Zebra Cactus does best in partial sun (4 to 6 hours daily).
Watering is okay every 3 to 4 weeks. As a general rule of thumb, water thoroughly and then allow the soil to dry out before watering again.
Soil should be well-drained. Rocky soil is also okay.
Desert Marigold forms bright yellow flowers with 2-inch diameter.
For a splash of color in a neutral-toned desert garden, the Desert Marigold has your back. These dashing desert perennials can grow to two feet tall and wide and adorn themselves in bright yellow florets at the end of each stem. You can expect them to bloom in spring and continue to bloom throughout the summer. Frequent rains in the fall have even been known to encourage a few more blooms.
These colorful flowers are sturdy, seedy, and will come back year after year, providing you with an even more colorful garden as their offspring take root.
Desert Marigold Care
Caring for Desert Marigold isn’t very difficult. For the most part, these flowers can thrive just about anywhere and are practically self-sufficient.
Desert Marigold should be planted in an area that receives full sun (around 6 to 8 hours daily).
Generally, rainfall is enough to keep these plants happy. However, you can water whenever the soil is completely dried out to encourage more prominent blooms.
Desert Marigolds don’t require a specific soil, as long as it’s well-drained.
Desert Marigold Uses
A great option for color. Could be used as a focal point or for splashes of color throughout a large desert garden.
Ocotillo comprises 20 to 30-feet tall individual spiny stems and bright red flowers at the end of each branch.
Another excellent choice for color in a desert landscape, Ocotillo is a desert-native that features red tubular flowers at the end of each spiny branch. They bloom March through June and their flowers cluster. When water is plentiful, Ocotillo will grow 2-inch leaves along the length of their stems, creating a fluffy, wispy appearance.
These beautiful plants can grow to heights as tall as 20 feet and have a lifespan similar to that of the average person. They’re also a friend to hummingbirds and finches, thanks to their bright red florals and abundant supply of nectar. Ocotillo can withstand the highest of desert temperatures and make it through winters with temperatures that drop as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ocotillo Care
Strong and adapted to harsh weather, Ocotillo won’t need a hand to hold throughout its long life. A little care here and there is all that this desert plant needs:
Watering is few and far between. For newly planted Ocotillo, water once every couple of weeks in the summer. Once they’re established, water your Ocotillo plants once a month.
Plant Ocotillo in full sun (6 to 8 hours daily).
Ocotillo grows best in rocky, sandy, well-drained areas. A well-drained, sandy, or gritty soil will help your Ocotillo thrive.
Ocotillo Uses
As a natural barrier. Because it grows so tall and wide, Ocotillo would make the perfect natural fence.
For landscaping on hillsides or land that is barren. If you own acreage or have hilly land, these tall shrubs would add some color to your landscape.
Growing in sunny areas, Aloe Vera comprises long and spiny leaves with a triangular shape.
Aloe Vera isn’t only good for burns and cuts — it’s also a staple in desert gardens. With a variety of Aloe species on the market (and an even greater variety of sizes, textures, and colors), you’re bound to find one that fits your desert garden perfectly.
The size of Aloe ranges anywhere between 2 feet to the much larger 70-foot plants and consist of long, spiny, triangular leaves that spread upwards and outwards as they grow. They’re generally green in color, but can be yellow or sprout flowers of bright orange and red.
Overall, Aloe is an excellent option for desert gardens, especially gardens that are gravelly or sandy and receive lots of sun.
Aloe Vera Care
While Aloe Vera is generally drought-resistant and tolerant to bugs, its care can vary based on species. The following are general guidelines for keeping your Aloe healthy:
Sunlight requirements vary for Aloe. As a general rule of thumb, the smaller the species, the less light it needs. Small Aloe varieties usually do best in part sun (around 4 to 6 hours each day). Larger Aloe plants require full sun (6 to 8 hours per day).
As with the majority of desert plants, Aloe Vera should only be watered when the soil is visibly dry all the way through — about once every three weeks.
Plant in a well-drained, gravelly, or sandy soil for best results.
Don’t plant in a low-lying area that collects water.
Take care not to overwater your Aloe Vera plant, as these desert plants are most often killed by root rot and cannot tolerate sitting in water for long periods.
Aloe Vera Uses
Would look brilliant in a succulent desert garden.
Place them in between low-lying, bushy desert plants for height and texture variation.
Plant alongside walkways for a dramatic visual to the front door.
Fox Tail Agave needs slightly acidic and sandy soil which can also be well-drained.
Unlike the other desert garden plants on our list, the Fox Tail Agave is an evergreen succulent, meaning that it’s green and gorgeous all-year-round. With the appearance of a flower, Fox Tail Agave consists of multiple, triangular-shaped leaves that curve upwards, creating a cupped look. This plant can reach 4 feet wide and 4 feet tall and often features a 5 to 10 feet tall flowering stalk that emerges from its rosette in the summer.
If you live in an area with plentiful fauna, you’ll be happy to know that Fox Tail Agave is deer-resistant and virtually pest and disease-free.
Fox Tail Agave Care
Though still a fantastic choice for a desert garden, Fox Tail Agave is a bit more sensitive to actual desert conditions:
Place Fox Tail Agave in full sun (6 to 8 hours daily). If your garden doesn’t receive full sun, place in a part shade area.
Soil should be slightly acidic, rocky, sandy, and well-drained.
Though it tolerates drought, Fox Tail Agave should be watered whenever the soil is visibly dry.
This plant doesn’t do well in harsh winter conditions. Be sure to cover to protect from the cold.
Though Fox Tail Agave is a Mexican desert native, it still requires a bit more care than the other desert natives on our list. Be sure to water whenever the soil looks dry.
Fox Tail Agave Uses
Great as a focal point plant. If your desert garden consists of mainly low-lying plants and shrubs, Fox Tail Agave will serve as an eye-catching focal point.
Plant with other large succulents, like Aloe, to create a lush desert oasis feel.
An increasingly popular plant for desert gardens, the Paddle Plant features bright red coloring along the edge of each of their green leaves — ideal for adding a pop of color to your desert landscaping. The texture of the Paddle Plant is smooth with rosettes of round, flat leaves, reaching 6 inches in length. Paddle Plants may grow as tall as 2 feet. During the summer, a mature Paddle Plant may sprout sweet-smelling, yellow blooms.
The texture of the Paddle Plant is smooth with rosettes of round, flat leaves, reaching 6 inches in length.
Paddle Plant Care
An Africa native, Paddle Plants are pleasantly drought-resistant and heat-tolerant. They require minimal care but can burn when exposed to too much sun.
Place in an area that receivespart sun daily (around 4 to 6 hours) or in an area that receives bright, indirect full-sun.
Water whenever the soil is visibly dry. Do not overwater, as Paddle Plants are prone to root rot.
Plant in soil that is sandy and well-drained.
Place in an area that doesn’t retain water.Higher elevation is best.
Take care not to water the leaves of Paddle Plants. This will help to prevent the leaves from rotting and result in a longer lifespan.
Paddle Plant Uses
Paddle Plant would look beautiful in between large cacti or wide-spread, tall succulents.
Perfect for adding vibrant color in areas that are dull, such as rock gardens or desert gardens with neutral-colored plants.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, desert gardens aren’t limited to cacti. Desert plants such as Fox Tail Agave, Ocotillo, and Desert Marigolds can add a splash of color and interesting textures to your landscape without increasing the amount of time you spend maintaining your garden.
