Cacti have recently become very popular as houseplants. They come in a wide range of colors and shapes, and when combined with other indoor plants they make a beautiful collection. Discover the best cacti to grow indoors.
We think the following species will brighten up your home and not give you a headache from being too pretentious.
The false peyote cactus is one of the few spineless cactus species. It is distinguished by its spherical and plump body.
In addition to its appearance, this small cactus is an excellent choice for indoors because it is easy to grow and undemanding. Its spherical body can reach a width of 15 cm, is speckled with small white spots and has slightly streaked sides.
In early spring it can produce beautiful yellow flowers with a bit of orange in the center. After a few weeks, the flowers fade into gray, green or pink berries or drupes.
This cactus does not require much care when grown indoors except for sporadic watering and access to full sun. Thanks to its shape, it can hold a lot of water, which means you don’t have to worry about getting thirsty.
One thing you might not know about this cactus is that it is quite hardy, able to withstand temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees Celsius, albeit for a limited time.
Pet owners will be happy to know that this plant is non-toxic, so it may be one of the few options to have around cats and dogs.
Most people know this plant as the Christmas cactus because it is supposed to bloom just in time for the winter holidays, but there are areas where it is known as the Easter or Thanksgiving cactus.
Its easy maintenance makes it a popular choice for novice plant lovers who want a stress-free companion.
The Christmas cactus is hardy and thrives indoors with moderate temperature and light. Keeping it in direct sunlight will cause its leaves to scorch, so find a spot where it receives light but no direct sun for many hours.
The Christmas cactus typically blooms in vibrant shades of red, pink and orange, but extreme temperature changes and lack of water can cause flower buds to wilt prematurely.
This species of cactus deviates from traditional care because it is native to Brazilian rainforests, where it grows as an epiphyte on the branches of other trees.
Maintain an ideal temperature of around 15 degrees C and keep the soil moist during the flowering season to help increase the flowering time of the plant.
Using a potassium-rich fertilizer every two weeks can also help keep the plant happy.
Although it starts out as a tiny cactus and stays that way for a while, these plants can live for many, many years and can grow quite large, filling the pot. When this happens, consider hanging it from the ceiling or placing it on a high shelf.
The rabbit ear cactus is another small desert plant that grows indoors. Although native to Mexico, it is also found in dry and semi-arid regions around the world.
This cactus is easy to grow as a houseplant; all you have to do is make sure the growing conditions resemble their natural environment: dry, sunny, and low humidity.
Plant the cactus in sandy soil so that it has enough moisture and allows excess water to drain quickly.
The rabbit ear cactus can reach a height of 90cm in its native environment, but it grows to a maximum of 50cm when grown indoors.
It is slow growing, but as a general rule, rabbit ears should be repotted every one to two years for healthy growth.
If you want to propagate it, you can easily do so by cutting mature pads. Let the pads dry out for a few days, then plant them in a pot with potting soil. Place the pot in a sunny spot and wait for the roots to develop. Water it regularly to encourage root growth.
The rat-tailed cactus is a fascinating plant found in Central America and southwestern Mexico. It gets its name from its long stalked “legs” which resemble a rat’s tail.
These stems can reach 1.2 meters in their natural habitat, but if grown indoors they will take a long time to reach this length. When grown indoors, this cactus does best in hanging pots.
Normal spring, summer and fall room temperature is ideal. To induce a dormant period in winter, keep the plant in a reasonably cooler environment.
In general, it’s a hardy cactus that can withstand temperatures as low as 5 degrees C and as high as 35 degrees C, but it’s not frost hardy, so don’t let it freeze.
Rattail cacti come in a variety of colors and flowers, with purplish-red blooms in spring and early summer. The flowers are huge and tubular, although they last only a few days.
The stems can be used to reproduce the plant. However, you have to be careful when touching it, as the thorns can easily prick your hand. Wearing gloves can help you avoid a painful moment.
Old lady cactus is a popular cactus that can be grown indoors. It is distinguished by simple spherical stems, which can reach a height of 10 cm and a width of 20 cm.
When grown indoors, these cacti should be placed in a light environment for optimal growth as they like to bask in the sun.
If you can, give it some time outside during the summer months and this little cactus will thank you. Even if you don’t have a patio, a balcony or exterior windowsill will be enough to help it flourish.
The ideal place to place your old lady cactus indoors is near a window that receives plenty of sunlight, as these areas receive plenty of light for most of the day. If you can’t find a good position with enough light, you can use grow lights to meet the needs of this light-demanding cactus.
The cactus itself will reach around 10 centimeters, making it perfect for growing indoors, even in the tightest of spaces.
The moon cactus is one of the most easily recognized indoor cacti, due to its distinctive ball shape and spectrum of hues that includes yellow, pink, red, and orange.
These bright hues are particularly eye-catching because they are often stuck on top of another green-colored cactus, creating a great contrast.
Since it is totally devoid of chlorophyll, it cannot survive on its own and must be grafted onto another green cactus that can provide it with enough food. It’s two floors in one.
The moon cactus is also an excellent indoor cactus for beginners because it requires little maintenance. Place it near a window, on the living room table or even in the bedroom on a bedside table.
As for water needs, the moon cactus, like any other cactus adapted to the desert, does not require much. Overwatering can lead to root rot and eventual death of the cactus, so be careful.
It may also be interesting to read: 10 easy-to-grow edible cacti and succulents.
These cacti are slow growing and reach a maximum height of about 15 centimeters. Keep in mind that the moon cactus’ health is highly dependent on the green plant it is attached to. Therefore, it is very important to select the right cactus stock to go well with your moon cactus.
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