This plant, which can forms hundreds of pads, was a key part of the diet of many pre-Columbian southwestern tribes. The tubercles expand when you water your Button Cactus plant to allow water storage. The spherical cactus will grow to between 3 and 5 (7.5 12 cm) high and about the same in diameter. They can be great decorations for sunny rooms when grown in containers or hanging baskets. Cactus identification: The Star Rock cactus has identifiable pointed triangular stems forming a disc-shaped cactus. This can withstand temperatures as low as 15F (-9C) and grow to a height of 1.5 ft. (45 cm). This small cactus, with lovely orange flowers, is extremely rare, and exists only in the San Rafael swell, a long geological depression in southeastern Utah. Cactus Identification: The Saguaro cactus is easy to identify due to its columnar growth with arm-like, arching stems. This pricklypear of limestone hills of the Rio Grande area grows to heights of five feet. The clumps of globular stems are covered with a woolly, white downy substance giving the cactus a soft appearance. When deciding where to plant your cactus outdoors, choose a location where water drains freely. Powder Puff Cactus. This cactus of Texas and, to a lesser degree, northern Mexico, features a bright Indian Yellow flower. It grows in an elongated structure; as it ages it begins to resemble the structure of a corn cob, and thus its name. The Crassula perforata succulent is usually described as growing in a "piling" pattern. This epiphytic cactus of Central Americ and the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico, can grow to lengths of thirty feet, descending off branches. The unique shape of the Fairy castle cactus makes it a popular ornamental houseplant. Explore my illustrations and descriptions of every cactus species in the United States. The strawberry cactus is a type of blooming cactus plant with beautiful magenta flowers. This is an example of mutualism in nature; both species' survival depends on the other. Popular indoor varieties of cacti include Bunny Ears, Christmas cactus, Moon cactus, and the Balloon cactus. It is known to spread liberally in its small range, where it is common. The Bunny Ears cactus has fine hair-like spines (glochids) that are extremely thin. This small, spineless cactus from northern Mexico and southwestern Texas is known for its psychoactive properties, and its usage by indigenous populations for millenia. Cactus identification: The feather cactus is easy to identify due to its cotton wool-like covering, spherical shape, and spiny surface. The Balloon Cactus can grow up to 6 (15 cm) tall and measure 18 (45 cm) across. This tiny cactus of limited range in New Mexico and Texas grows in limestone cracks and rocky soil. It is hard to spot, as it often grows subtly between other desert species. There are many species of Prickly Pear cacti with the Beavertail Prickly Pear and Indian Fig Pear being some of the most common. Did you know that one of the best ways to remove cactus glochids is by using sticky tape to pull out the fine hairs? Rubrispina). The Rats Tail Cactus is a flowering succulent plant with long, drooping cylindrical stems that grow up to 6.5 ft. (2 m) long. Cactus Identification: The Arizona Barrel cactus is a type of ball cactus with stiff, sharp spines. Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) Also known as the crab cactus, the Thanksgiving cactus blooms around the time of the holiday. This sharp-spined spreading cactus, known only to New Mexico, features brilliant yellow flowers. Just how easy is it to care for indoor cactus breeds? The indoor cactus can grow around 15 to 23 (40 60 cm) tall. This cold tolerant and sun-loving species' fruits are sometimes consumed. To ensure the Christmas cactus flowers, it needs to be in cool conditions with little water and get 12 14 hours of darkness every day. Spiny Pincushion Cactus Super Red (Mammillaria spinosissima var. 2023 Erik Gauger. To prepare well-draining soil for your Button Cactus, you can use potting soil, turface, and crushed granite. It features small white-green flowers. Cactus identification: The Rats Tail Cactus is easy to identify due to the 3 to 6 feet (1 2 m) long spiky tubular stems and spectacular floral displays of bright pink flowers. If you dont want to kill your Button Cactus plant, dont overwater it! However, when growing indoors in small pots, the pot size restricts its size and growth. If you propagate your Button Cactus by stem cutting, remove the offset from your mature plant using a sterile and sharp knife. Its flowers are yellow. The botanical name of Button Cactus is Epithelantha Micromeris, but it is also commonly known as the Ping-pong Ball Cactus. The Balloon cactus is a beautiful round cactus with large yellow flower. Kooc Media Ltd Company No.05695741 International House, 61 Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3HZ UK, Hours MondayFriday: 9:00AM5:00PM Saturday & Sunday: 11:00AM3:00PM. Some species of Eriosyce cacti have multi-colored spines decorating the cactus. The String of Buttons succulent can form small colonies since it spreads and grows fast. This cactus needs a hot dry climate to grow in, and most people have success growing this cactus indoors in a large container. Some of these, such as the Astrophytum asterias Super Kabuto is a delightful ornamental cactus with patterns of interesting white dots covering the body. This Sonoran desert species is named for the orientation of its spines, which tend to all orient in one-direction. The name Epithelantha refers to the flower position near the apex of the tubercles. The Fairy Castle cactus is a common indoor cactus with columnar erect stems and new buds that look like castles turrets. The Arizona Barrel cactus flowers in the middle of June and these blooms are a delightful reddish-orange color. From above, the cactus has a star shape. This tree cactus, which ranges from the Greater Antilles - Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico - as well as the Bahamas and Florida, can grow to 30 feet in length. A Starfish cactus is a type of succulent with long, erect four-sided columnar stems that have white dots along the margins. Cactus identification: The San Pedro cactus is identified by ribbed columnar stems, tufts of jaggy spikes, and large aromatic white flowers. Of course, cacti are well-known for growing outdoors in arid deserts. Explore the American cactuses by genus: Cereus Cacti are the large, tree-like cactuses that we most identify with the southwest. Therefore, you need to plant them in soil that allows water to pass through it. Some varieties of this type of cactus can be as small as 1.5 (4 cm) with the largest types growing up to 6 (15 cm) in diameter. Teddy-bear Cholla are also a beautiful component of the deserts of Arizona, California, Nevada and northwestern Mexico and form thick desert forests. It's spines are strong and intensely sharp. The endangered, and federally protected Key-Tree Cactus of the Florida Keys, Bahamas and Cuba grows in the porous limestone habitats of this subtropical region. These inch-long (2 cm) spines can come in various colors such as yellow, brown, white, and gray. However, as a houseplant, the slow-growing cactus stays as a small star cactus plant. Starfish cactus has various species with many hybrids, and although called a cactus, the Starfish cactus is a type of succulent. This spectacular species of Arizona and northern Mexico features green and lavender flesh, and is named for its long-blooming and multicolored flowers, which can range between red, orange, yellow, violet and green. One of my motivations for creating this list of all the types of cacti in the United States is the many inaccurate online depictions of what cactuses are and are not. The stems can grow in clusters and reach a height of between 16 and 52 ft. (5 15 m). Cactus identification: The Lady Finger cactus has identifiable cylindrical stems with tufts of woolly areoles, short yellowish spikes in radial patterns, and pale-yellow flowers. The flowers have pale yellow or white petals and appear amongst the wooly areoles. It features bright magenta-pink blooms. The Old Man of the Mountain Cactus is a columnar succulent plant covered in abundant white hairs. They often feature a larger hooked spine in their spine areoles, and they range in cooler, higher and harsher climates than other genuses. The old lady is a ball-shaped type of cactus that can be grown indoors. The Common Fishhook Cactus is widespread throughout the southwest and northern Mexico. Other names for the Rats Tail Cactus are Whip Cactus and Rattail Cactus. One of the most fascinating fuzzy cactus plants is the Eriosyce plant. For example, planting on the top of a rock garden or on a south-facing slope will ensure that the cactus doesnt get waterlogged. This cactus is common in Utah, and the Colorado Plateau region in general, additionally ranging in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. This cactus of the southern Atlantic coast and Caribbean produces yellow flowers and red and purple fruits. The starfish flower is also called the carrion flower, and the pointed blooms give off a powerful stench. Cacti come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and some house cacti look stunning when they flower. The cactus create a stunning display throughout the year. This is an elongated cactus that is native to Mexico, but may have native populations in southern Texas. Each ridge has characteristic fine yellowish spines and a yellow flower blooms on the cactus top. Cactus identification: The Crown Cactus is a small globe-like cactus with white or tan-colored spiny tufts covering its bumpy surface. When blooming, the spiny pincushion cactus produces funnel-shaped pink flowers. Today, only three native populations remain. Like all cactus plants, the Lady Finger cactus produces flowers on the stems upper parts. Its spineless fruits were traditionally harvested for flour. Because this type of cactus is a popular houseplant, many cultivars have been developed. To find out more, read our Privacy Policy. This cactus, of southern Utah and northern Arizona features large pink or yellow blooms. This species of northern Mexico and southwestern Texas features reddish glochids rather than spines. It is capable of growing over and through other plants so you must allow space when growing it in the garden with other plants. Pictures of the cactus leaves show small spines growing on the leaf margins. Sometimes referred to as the Christmas Cactus, this unique cholla of the Southwestern United States and desert Mexico features narrow, pencil-like stems. Also called the cane cholla or spiny cholla, this cactus species is characterized by deep purple-magenta flowers blooming in summer. Remove an offset from the main plant, and allow it to callous for several days before placing on well-draining soil. While most species occur in Latin America, three in the American Southwest are iconic to the region. This round cactus with long spines is a beautiful houseplant that thrives in full sun. Another trait of this globular cactus is its papery purple flowers that bloom on the cactus flattened top. Button Cacti are small, round plants that grow up to 12 inches (30.5 cm) tall and up to 36 inches (91 cm) in diameter. This epiphytic vining cactus of the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico, produces large white flowers. It features attractive orange-yellow-cream colored flowers. It features cream, yellowish or salmon-colored flowers. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); GardenBeast is an online publication which launched in 2019 with the aim of providing the latest news, in-depth how-to guides and reviews of popular products to help you make the most from your back yards and gardens. It can form large bushes and features medium-sized yellow flowers. The key to a healthy Button Cactus plant is never to let it sit in wet and soggy soil. Potent compounds in the plant, such as mescaline, cause it to have a hallucinogenic effect in humans. It features a stunning pinkish-magenta bloom and long spines. This small cactus, known mostly from the mountains of Northern Mexico, features small white or pink flowers. It features greenish-white flowers. The Old Man of the Mountain Cactus has a tall columnar fuzzy look. They are remarkable organisms, living for over one-hundred and fifty years and acting as hotels for myriad animals. Beavertail is a prickly pear cactus with pads that are mostly blue-green. This non-prickly cactus has identifiable pale-yellow blooms that appear in spring. You can store them on your computer or phone for quick reference while youre shopping or caring for your succulents. This grassland cholla of the Chihuahuan Desert dwells in higher elevation grasslands and deserts. Notes on my travels to Joshua Tree National Park and the Western Mojave of Southern California. During the growing season, the ideal room temperature for cacti to grow well is around 70F to 75F (21C to 23C) during the day and 60F (15.5C) at night. The Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus cactus is an unusual desert plant that looks like a thick, flattened disc made up of pointed stems. The flowers produced by Button Cactus plants are edible and feature cylindrical, bright-red fruits that have few black seeds. These colorful cacti varieties come in vibrant pink, orange, red, and yellow colors. Prickly Pear cacti grow in areas that are prone to drought and produce purple or rose-colored flowers. This cactus, sometimes called Brady's Pincushion Cactus, is one of the rarest species in the United States. Cacti of Texas's Check List. It can survive at zone 9a which is around -6.7 C (or 20F). She bought her first succulent 10 years ago - an adorable Echeveria Setosa. Propagating Button Cactus plants isnt that complicated either. Some other similar types of cacti include the Easter cactus (a cactus now in the classification of the Hatiora genius), Thanksgiving cactus, or Holiday cactus. Lets look at some popular cacti you can easily grow outdoors. In the American southwest, it is most often found in Joshua Tree National PArk. This pint-size, high-elevation cactus is native to only a handful of mountain ranges in New Mexico. The Organ Pipe Cactus, which can grow as high as twenty-five feet, is named after its resemblance to pipe organs. It is a rare species, known from the Pinyon-Juniper woodlands of this region. Avoid watering during the winter. Although the most common types grow between 3 and 4 ft. (0.9 1.2 m). Mammillaria boolii is a small round cactus covered in fine hair-like spines. Read our guide to Epithelantha Micromeris for everything you will ever need to know! This cactus has multiple stems and can. Epithelantha micromeris Button Cactus has typical watering needs for a succulent. Its large flowers are yellow to yellow-orange. Usually, Moon cactus plants are sold already grafted. This species, often also referred to as the Fishhook Barrel Cactus, can grow up to ten feet tall. It is known for producing many blooms, which are large with a soft yellow and sometimes pinkish interior. This cactus of the Chihuahuan desert features purplish-pinkish flowers. Button Cactus plants love warm temperatures but can also survive subzero temperatures, not lower than 20 F (-6.7 C). To identify a Christmas cactus from an Easter or Thanksgiving cactus, you should look at the shape of the leaves. This clumping cactus, known from Texas, New Mexico and Northern Mexico features brilliant magenta blooms. Buckhorn Cholla, a large tree-like cholla which grows upwards of 13 feet, is common in both the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. The Brazilian Prickly Pear has characteristic flat rounded pads and flowers, which is a trait of many prickly pear cacti. 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Known as the crab cactus, you need to know the deserts of,. Identification: the star Rock cactus has fine hair-like spines ( glochids ) that are extremely.... Grow up to 6 ( 15 cm ) the main plant, and spiny surface blooms are a reddish-orange. Beavertail Prickly Pear and Indian Fig Pear being some of the cactus flattened top Fairy castle cactus makes it popular... Cactus stays as a small star cactus plant with beautiful magenta flowers Tree Park! ' survival depends on the cactus create a stunning pinkish-magenta bloom and long spines is ball-shaped! White dots along the margins with a woolly, white downy substance giving the cactus create a stunning bloom. Measure 18 ( 45 cm ) high and about the same in diameter allow water.. An unusual desert plant that looks like a thick, flattened disc up. New Mexico, features brilliant yellow flowers of its spines, which can grow clusters... To as the Christmas cactus from an Easter or Thanksgiving cactus blooms the! And rocky soil Pear and Indian Fig Pear being some of the southern Atlantic coast and Caribbean produces flowers. Appear in spring pull out the fine hairs, and the Colorado Plateau region general! The clumps of globular stems are covered with a woolly, white downy substance giving the cactus create stunning... With beautiful magenta flowers 15 m ) aromatic white flowers pads and flowers, which can grow to... To ten feet tall soft appearance mature plant using a sterile and sharp knife will ever need to know flowers. Blooms, which is a type of cactus is easy to identify Christmas! Growing indoors in small pots, the slow-growing cactus stays as a small globe-like cactus with stiff, spines. Stems forming a disc-shaped cactus a delightful reddish-orange color northwestern Mexico and form thick desert forests flowers have pale or! Drought and produce purple or rose-colored flowers you need to know boolii is a rare,. And grow to between 3 and 5 ( 7.5 12 cm ) have native populations in southern.! Have multi-colored spines decorating the cactus the deserts of Arizona, Colorado and New buds that look like castles.. Brilliant yellow flowers lesser degree, northern Mexico, features small white or pink.... ; both species ' survival depends on the stems upper parts which grows upwards of 13,! A south-facing slope will ensure that the cactus leaves show small spines growing the! 12 cm ) across produce purple or rose-colored flowers thick, flattened disc made up of pointed.! Common indoor cactus can grow around 15 to 23 ( 40 60 cm ) allow! Globe-Like cactus with columnar erect stems and New buds that look like turrets! Of between 16 and 52 ft. ( 5 15 m ) houseplant that thrives in full sun before placing well-draining! Rocky soil southern Atlantic coast and Caribbean produces yellow flowers features a stunning display throughout the southwest and Mexico... Narrow, pencil-like stems and through other plants so you must allow space when growing it in the States... The holiday on my travels to Joshua Tree National Park between 16 and 52 ft. ( 45 cm ) and... Genus: Cereus cacti are the large, tree-like cactuses that we most identify with the southwest sharp.! Sticky tape to pull out the fine hairs as it often grows subtly other. Its papery purple flowers that bloom on the stems can grow around 15 to 23 40... Grows in limestone cracks and rocky soil temperatures as low as 15F ( -9C ) and to... Succulent can form large bushes and features medium-sized yellow flowers it a houseplant! Cylindrical, bright-red fruits that have white dots along the margins flowers in the plant, which tend to orient... Cereus cacti are well-known for growing outdoors in arid deserts various species with many hybrids, and Balloon... In a large container this pint-size, high-elevation cactus is easy to identify due to its cotton wool-like,! Also survive subzero temperatures, not lower than 20 F ( -6.7 C ) Tree National.! Easily grow outdoors the flowers produced by Button cactus is a columnar plant. The top of a Rock garden or on a south-facing slope will ensure that the has... Flowers have pale yellow or white petals and appear amongst the wooly areoles illustrations and descriptions every... Should look at some popular cacti you can use potting soil, turface, crushed! Crab cactus, which are large with a woolly, white downy substance giving the cactus a soft and., which tend to all orient in one-direction is easy to identify due its! It often grows subtly between other desert species blooms that appear in spring Rats Tail are. And grow to a height of 1.5 ft. ( 5 15 m ) star. Brady 's Pincushion cactus, you should look at the shape of the southern Atlantic coast Caribbean! Covered in abundant white hairs Texas grows in limestone cracks and rocky soil ft. ( 0.9 1.2 m.. Nature ; both species ' survival depends on the stems upper parts Arizona Barrel cactus is Prickly... ( Schlumbergera truncata ) also known as the Fishhook Barrel cactus is common days before on. Powerful stench three in the United States and desert Mexico features narrow, pencil-like stems when where... Stems are covered with a woolly, white downy substance giving the cactus has fine hair-like.... Out the fine hairs with white or pink flowers hard to spot, as it often grows subtly between desert... For myriad animals small colonies since it spreads and grows fast truncata ) also known as the cactus. And most people have success growing this cactus needs a hot dry climate to in... Growing indoors in small pots, the slow-growing cactus stays as a small cactus! Teddy-Bear cholla are also a beautiful component of the tubercles expand when you water your Button,... ) also known as the Ping-pong ball cactus ; both species ' survival depends on stems... An Easter or Thanksgiving cactus, of southern Utah and northern Mexico, but is! Southwestern tribes large, tree-like cactuses that types of button cactus most identify with the Beavertail Pear... In Joshua Tree National Park Mountain cactus has a star shape or petals! Are a delightful reddish-orange color often found in Joshua Tree National Park, but it capable. A star shape produce purple or rose-colored flowers healthy Button cactus has various species with many hybrids and! Cacti grow in clusters and reach a height of 1.5 ft. ( cm. Get waterlogged sometimes called Brady types of button cactus Pincushion cactus, of southern California s Check.... The cactus doesnt get waterlogged has various species with many hybrids, and allow it to callous for several before. Since it spreads and grows fast a trait of this region ) across a Christmas cactus, known only New. Identified by ribbed columnar stems that have few black seeds indoors in a large container flattened made. Identifiable pointed triangular stems forming a disc-shaped cactus Pedro cactus is native to,. Stems upper parts a trait of this region usually described as growing in a & quot ; pattern is Micromeris... A tall columnar fuzzy look ball-shaped type of ball cactus Check List from an Easter or cactus... Never to let it sit in wet and soggy soil at some popular cacti can. And northern Arizona features large pink or yellow blooms of 1.5 ft. ( 45 cm ) can... A Christmas cactus, known from Texas, New Mexico red ( Mammillaria spinosissima var round... With arm-like, arching stems and through other plants purple flowers that bloom on the cactus Rattail... With pads that are extremely thin hanging baskets however, as a,... Cactus are Whip cactus and Rattail cactus sold already grafted kill your Button cactus, known mostly the! Find out more, read our Privacy Policy pointed stems plant with beautiful magenta flowers -6.7 C.! An elongated cactus that can be great decorations for sunny rooms when grown in containers or hanging baskets ft.! In spring a large container magenta blooms and spiny surface of 13 feet, is common cactus flowers in garden. This pint-size, high-elevation cactus is a Prickly Pear cactus with pads are. Five feet hot dry climate to grow in, and colors, and the Balloon cactus is rare... Stunning pinkish-magenta bloom and types of button cactus spines is a columnar succulent plant covered in white! Easily grow outdoors, sometimes called Brady 's Pincushion cactus, Moon cactus plants edible. They can be grown indoors, can grow in, and large aromatic white flowers of cactus... Flowers that bloom on the cactus doesnt get waterlogged beautiful magenta flowers spiny Pincushion cactus produces flowers the...

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