Indoor cactus plants are trendy. they are the most sought after these days and are becoming an integral part of modern home decor!
Cacti are gaining a cult following as houseplants, thanks to their unique spiny skin and attractive, twisted shapes that make them look like Mother Nature herself sculpted them to show how creative she can be! And, if you want to grow them in your home too, start with these low-maintenance and most popular indoor cactus plants.
The best indoor cactus plants
1. Bunny Ears
Botanical name: Opuntia microdasys
Native to Mexico, it features two pads that look like rabbit ears. The plant has a globule or brown thorn pattern and can reach a height of 2-3 feet.
2. Barrel cactus
Botanical name: Echinocactus grusonii
Also known as the golden ball or mother-in-law’s pillow, this classic, most sought-after cactus features long, stiff spines that protect it.
3. Chin cactus
Botanical name: Gymnocalycium andreae
Its name signifies “naked calyx” in Greek, referring to the absence of spines or hairs on the flower buds. Some varieties grow in the shade, while others prefer sunlight.
4. Rat tail cactus
Botanical name: Aporocactus flagelliformis
The trailing stems of this cactus are ideal for hanging basketsas it grows quickly and can reach 2-3 feet in length. The plant is quite hardy and tolerates a wide range of temperatures.
5. Old Woman Cactus
Botanical name: Mammillaria hahniana
This cactus forms clusters of 10-inch-tall globose or globose stems covered in fine white spines and hairs, with a halo of small pink or purple flowers that bloom in spring.
6. Bishop Kap
Botanical name: Astrophytou decorated
Spherical ‘Bishop’s Cap’ looks striking in ceramic containers with its stiff spikes covering ridged globes. It also has a frosty white coating that protects the plant from the sun.
7. Pincushion Cactus
Botanical name: Mammillaria crinita
Pincushion cacti are small plants that can grow up to 6-8 inches in height and can be ball or barrel shaped, entirely covered with white spines.
8. Peanut cactus
Botanical name: Echinopsis chamaecereus
This plant looks like peanut shells, hence the name. Blooms in beautiful shades of white and orange with large flower heads. Unlike other cacti, it has a smooth spine.
9. Fairy Castle Cactus
Botanical name: Cereus tetragonus
This slow-growing plant, with its numerous bright green vertical stems, can be a wonderful desk or windowsill plant. Keep it near a south-facing window for better development.
10. Ladyfinger Cactus
Botanical name: Mammillaria elongata
Commonly known as golden lace cactus, it is a small plant, only 6-7 inches tall. It grows cute white flowers that add to its beauty.
11. Dinosaur back plant
Botanical name: Myrtillocactus geometrizans forma cristata
If you’re a fan of weird looking plants, then this is for you! This cactus forms a thick tree-like trunk that gathers on top of itself, giving it a unique shape.
12. Golden Rat Tail
Botanical name: Cleistocactus winteri
The cylindrical stems of this cactus give it a great look, while its spines are smooth and soft to the touch. The flowers grow on single stems in a bold shade of orange and pink.
Fake or grafted cactus plants
13. Christmas Cactus
Botanical name: Schlumbergera bridgessii
The Christmas cactus has smooth leaves with soft, rounded spines. It also has red, pink, white and orange tubular flowers. Here it is how to take care of it properly!
14. African Milk Tree Cactus
Botanical name: Euphorbia trigona
A tall and easy-care specimen. If the right sunlight is available, it can be an excellent addition to the houseplant collection, thanks to its dark green rectangular stems with matching small white or yellow flowers. Here is ours development guide on it!
15. Easter Cactus
Botanical name: Schlumbergera gaertneri
The Easter or Whitsun cactus is quite similar to the Christmas cactus. Blooms in March or April, with white, orange or lavender blooms above the prickly pear.
16. Zebra Cactus
Botanical name: Haworthia fasciata
It is not a true cactus, but it goes by the name Zebra cactus. This popular succulent features pointed leaves with white horizontal stripes and a mottled interior.
17. Pencil Cactus
Botanical name: Euphorbia tirucalli
Also popular as the Milk Bush, this is not a true cactus and has pencil-like stems from which the plant photosynthesizes. It can grow to 4-6 feet indoors, but be careful if you have pets and children because its sap is toxic.
18. Lifesaver Cactus
Botanical name: Huernia zebrina
This unusual cactus has stunning 5-pointed, star-like flowers with zebra stripes and a thick, round ring in the center, and four-sided stems with soft teeth at the tips.
19. Pebble plant
Botanical name: Lithops
Pebbles or live stones are native to South Africa and Namibia. They look like rocks and can survive extremely harsh conditions. Here it is how to grow them!
20. Moon cactus
Botanical name: Gymnocalycium mihanovichii
This grafted cactus it is popular as a houseplant, with colorful ball-shaped tops in bright red, yellow, pink or orange, covered with small, sharp spines along curved veins.
With so many sizes, shapes and colors to choose from, there’s an indoor cactus for almost every space and style. Pick your favorite, give it plenty of bright light, and enjoy a houseplant that’s as easy to grow as it is stunning.
