Types of Cactus
Caring For Different Types of Cacti
One of the great things about having different types of cacti as houseplants is that they need little watering. The majority of indoor cactus plants need to be in a small pot on a sunny window sill and get watered occasionally. Popular indoor varieties of cacti include Bunny Ears, Christmas cactus, Moon cactus, and the Balloon cactus.
Of course, cacti are well-known for growing outdoors in arid deserts. If you live in a warm climate, planting different kinds of cacti can decorate your garden or rock garden. Some good choices of desert cactus types for growing outside are the Arizona Barrel Cactus, the Prickly Pear, and the Old Man Cactus.
Cactus Plant Features
The cactus plant family (Cactaceae) consists of a number of unique succulent-type plants that thrive in dry conditions. There are thousands of different types of cacti, with all of them being native to the Americas.
Although cacti are classified as succulents, they differ from many types of succulents. Cacti retain their moisture in their stems rather than in their fleshy leaves.
Most varieties of cacti have stems that are in varying shades of green. One of the unique features of cacti plants is the way they photosynthesize. Contrasting with other plants, all cactus species take in carbon dioxide at night when temperatures are cooler. This means that less evaporation occurs during the hot day.
Many types of desert cacti stems also have ribs that allow the plant to expand when it takes in moisture after heavy rainfalls.
Another of the identifying features of cacti is their spines. Some types of cacti have long sharp spikes that can cause pain if they prick your skin. Other cacti varieties have softer spines to protect the plant. For example, the Prickly Pear has soft hair-like spines that can easily cause irritation if they lodge in your skin.
Cactus Flowers
One of the most striking features of all cactus varieties is their flowers. Although short-lived, cactus flowers can be stunning. Cactus flowers can be various colors from deep pinks to beautiful shades of red. Yellow, orange, white, and burgundy flowers are also common in various types of cactus.
In fact, one of the differences between cacti and other types of succulents is the fact that they flower.
How to Identify Cactus Varieties
Cactus identification is usually based on their shape, blooming habits, and spines or hairs. Cacti can have a spherical, columnar, cylindrical, or disc shape and typically have characteristic areoles (small bumps) where sharp or soft spines grow. All types of cactus flower, and you can tell the species depending on when it blooms.
Most types of house cacti are small succulent plants that grow in sandy soil and direct sunlight. It’s usually best to handle cactus plants with care. Cactus varieties with stiff, sharp spines can cause injury by puncturing the skin. Even furry-looking cacti with soft fuzzy hairs can cause skin irritation due to their soft barbed spines.
Bunny Ears Cactus (Opuntia microdasys)
Old Lady Cactus (Mammillaria hahniana)
Balloon Cactus (Parodia magnifica)
Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera)
Powder Puff Cactus (Mammillaria)
Moon Cactus (Gymnocalycium mihanovichii)
Chin Cactus (Gymnocalycium)
Star Cactus (Astrophytum asterias)
Lady Finger Cactus (Mammillaria elongata)
Feather Cactus (Mammillaria plumosa)
Bishop’s Cap Cactus (Astrophytum myriostigma)
Star Rock Cactus (Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus)
Crown Cactus (Rebutia marsoneri)
Spiny Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria spinosissima var. ‘Rubrispina’)
Eriosyce Cactus (Eriosyce senilis)
Rat’s Tail Cactus (Aporocactus flagelliformis)
Silver Ball Cactus (Notocactus scopa)
Arizona Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni)
Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia)
Queen of the Night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum)
The Old Man Cactus (Cephalocereus senilis)
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