Succulents and a flowering cactus are enjoying their popularity around the world. Both succulents and cacti can integrate with the other drought-tolerant shrubs, trees, ornamental grasses, and perennials easily. They will create a natural-looking and beautiful garden design.
Among so many types of cacti, 10 of them will produce gorgeous flowers. Those plants are going to add more beauty to your exterior. Learn about the most beautiful cacti that can produce flowers and then learn how to make your favorite cactus flowers.
The Most Gorgeous Flowering Cactus Plants
So many flowering cacti are going to make your landscape design look much better and more gorgeous. You can grow the plants in a container, planting bed, or in the entire backyard. Before you start growing, look for some inspiration about the best flowering cactus below.
1. Beavertail Cactus
This is a pear cactus plant that is prickly and has pads in blue-green color. The plant can grow about 20 inches high and can reach 6 feet wide. The beavertail comes with dark-colored cherry-pink flowers. Those flowers smell like watermelon and have a glowing effect.
The flowers of the beavertail cactus bloom between the late winter and early summer. This is the most ideal plant if you are looking for a new member for the drought-tolerant garden or desert landscaping. Grow this plant close to barrel cactus and Angelita daisy for an excellent combination.
2. Prickly Pear Cactus
This flowering cactus is also known as tuna cactus, mission cactus, or barbary fig. The flowers of this cactus can reach 4 inches in size. You can easily identify this cactus by seeing its fruits or tunas. The flowers of this plant can be yellow or red and they are highly decorative.
The cactus itself can grow up to 6 feet wide and 15 feet tall. This cactus is a perfect plant for desert gardens and drought-tolerant landscapes. But it will be a gorgeous ornament for your prairie or meadow-themed garden.
Also read: Large Indoor Cactus
3. Old Man Cactus
Another name for the old man cactus is the Cousin It or the old man of Mexico. This is one of many famous cacti you can find around the world. Old man cactus has tall, branching, or columnar growth. Most old man cacti are covered by long and wooly hair in white.
This cactus plant propagates easily from cuttings or seeds. Some cacti collectors are willing to wash the plant’s hair to keep it looking unique in white.
4. Queen of the Night Cactus
This is the best plant if you are planning to grow a night-flowering cactus. Dutchman’s pipe is another name for this unique cactus. To help the plant grows some flowers, you need to water the plant frequently. Night-blooming cacti need more water than the other types of cacti.
Another thing you should do is provide moist soil for the plant. Queen of the night is a plant that grows in the rainforests. When watering this plant, you need to give some more water.
5. Turk’s Cap Cactus
An ideal plant for your interior. This flowering cactus will grow up to 3.5 inches wide and 3.5 inches tall. Christopher Columbus discovered this plant on the West Indies Island. If you want to grow this plant, place the plant in a location with partial to full sun exposure.
This cactus needs a special soil mixture for succulents and cactus to grow and produce flowers. The flowers will bloom in bright pink color with fur.
Also read: Bearpaw Cactus
6. Silver Torch Cactus
For those looking for super unique flowering cactus, the silver torch cactus is the most ideal option. This plant will grow and shape a slender column. A silver torch can reach 8 feet tall. The flowers blooming from this plant can reach 3 inches long with a tubular shape.
The flower color of this cactus usually is burgundy or rose. If you want to see the blooms of a flowering cactus plant like this silver torch, grow this plant in a location with full or partial sun exposure. The plant also requires soil that is amended with sand to grow and bloom.
7. Saguaro Cactus
Saguaro cactus has various names like giant cactus, sahuaro, or sage of the desert. You can find this cactus easily in Mexico, Sonora, some parts of California, and in the southern or central Arizona desert. The cactus is branching and tall. It grows flowers in creamy white color.
The plant will grow beautifully and produce gorgeous flowers when you propagate it in bright and direct sunlight. It requires well-drained grit to grow properly.
8. Rat Tail Cactus
Another flowering cactus you should consider is the rat tail cactus. This plant can grow between 3 and 5 feet long. Rat tail cacti will produce gorgeous tubular flowers. The bright pink or red flowers will bloom in the spring.
The best way to grow this plant and help it bloom is by hanging the plant. This cactus plant will appreciate afternoon shade. Place this cactus on your porch, tree branch, or covered patio. Provide rich potting soil and the cactus will produce the most beautiful flowers for you.
Also read: White Bird of Paradise
9. Peanut Cactus
The height of this plant is just about one foot tall. This cactus plant has a cylindrical shape. The flowers produced by this cactus have a vase shape and will bloom in the spring to early summer. Grow this cactus in a shallow container. Peanut cacti will grow well in the xeriscape and rock garden.
10. Organ Pipe Cactus
Finally, there is a super unique cactus that produces a weird but fantastic flower: the organ pipe cactus. This cactus can produce purple, pink, and white flowers when it grows under full sun exposure. It requires gritty and well-drained soil to grow properly and produce the flowers.
Organ pipe cactus may reach 30 feet high when it grows in the wild. If you grow this cactus at home, it will grow smaller.
Flowering cactus is a super unique ornament for your garden. Each cactus requires different sun exposure and soil needs to grow and produce flowers. When choosing a cactus to grow, you need to learn how to grow the plant properly and start growing the plant to stimulate the blooms.
