Some Cacti Choices

There are so many different types, shapes, and sizes of cactus and succulent plants. The cactus family extends to thousands of varieties and species. Most people when they think of cactus think they need a dry, hot environment. But actually cacti thrive indoors in various amounts of light and humidity and conditions. Succulents are ideal plants for the busy person who forgets to water for long periods of time. Cactus plants need less humidity and water than most indoor plants and are very tolerant with variations in the temperature.

Basically, cacti from desert areas are plump and spiny while cacti that originally grew in jungle areas are spineless and are usually flat or thin. Most cacti have needles. Some have leaves and bloom. The Cactus Pereskia, when full grown, looks like an orange or a grapefruit tree. At maturity, the Melocactus grows a cap on top that sprouts beautiful rosy-pink flowers.
What makes cactus plants different is that they feature thick, fleshy leaves that remarkably store water. They have qualities (like needle growth) to expose the least amount of surface to the heat of the sun and the winds. Many people find succulents to be of great beauty. The longer they grow, the more magnificent they become. Listed below are some of these beauties to add to your garden or houseplant display.

A succulent that is just great to have around the house all the time is Aloe Vera. This plant has natural antibiotic properties and is medically recognized to help heal burns and soothe skin irritations. It is the perfect thing to rub on your skin after summer sun exposure. Just cut one of the heavy, stiff Agave leaves and take its sticky sap and rub it on a cut or sunburn to make it heal.

The Yucca plant originating from Mexico and Guatemala features sword-shaped, grass green leaves. Over time, the plant will start to lose its lower leaves and the trunk will grow more tall and thicker. Some grow up to forty feet tall when grown outside. If the Yucca is grown indoors, the plant can grow as tall as nine feet high as long as the ceiling permits this.
Native to the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean region of North Africa, Aeoniums are flowering cacti. The flowers, which are usually yellow, come out of the growing points in the center of the rosette. In most cases, the plant dies after flowering when the seed matures.

Crassula have thick, glossy, fleshy, jade-green leaves. Because they prefer bright light and reproduce very easily from leaf and stem cuttings, these succulent plants adjust well to growing indoors.

Euphorbia Tirucalli Pencil Cactus is a unique plant with pencil-shaped stems and very small deciduous leaves. Use caution when handling the stems that contain a milky corrosive sap that can burn the skin. Sticks on Fire is another striking form of Tirucalli makes a unique container plant that can reach up to eight feet tall. The branches on this plant are as thin as pencils and a reddish-golden color that fades closer to yellow in the summer.

The Orchid Cactus or Night Blooming Cereus is a bizarre and enchanting plant. Surprisingly easy-to-grow, this plant loves direct sunlight and dry conditions. The sword-shaped, flattened leaves have nasty thorns along the edges. In the peak blooming time (around mid-March), some leaves can get up to two feet in length and the cactus becomes quite showy completely covered with flowers. The beautiful open-faced, seven inch blooms make the Orchid Cactus very appealing. When grown in the landscape, plant this succulent in partial shade. Orchid Cactus makes a great container plant for patios.

The Ferocactus is a barrel-shaped cactus with prominent ribs. It gets its name from the long, heavy, hooked spines. The skin and spines of this cactus are peeled off and the flesh is diced and eaten raw or candied.

From Mexico, the Holiday Cactus gets its common name from the time of year they flower (on the holidays— Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter). Their flowers can range in color from white to rose, red, lavender, and purple.

Perfect for rock gardens since they will grow for years in spots where others will not are sedum plants. The name sedum comes from the Latin ‘sedeo: I sit’ suggesting that these cacti will sit or grow just about anywhere. They are also very easy to propagate.

Looking nothing like a spider, the Spider Cactus from Southern Brazil is a fat, globular plant that gets its common name from its spine arrangement. In very bright light, this cactus takes on a brownish cast.

Dayelle Swensson is an avid writer for the web on a number of topics. Having gardened herself for many years, she is able to advise others about a variety of things including gardening tips, lawn and tree care, watering, hose reel and keeping your home garden looking attractive and healthy.