Genus Reference
Cactus
Cactaceae identification and cultivation: barrel cacti, prickly pears, columnar species, epiphytes, and the rare collector forms.
The Complete Cactus Guide: Family, Cultivation & Care
A practical Cactaceae guide covering cactus anatomy, major genera, light, water, mineral soil, winter dormancy, propagation, and common problems in cultivation.
Read the guide →Species & Cultivars
All articles in this section
Astrophytum asterias (Sand Dollar / Sea Urchin Cactus): Profile & Care
Profile of Astrophytum asterias, the sand dollar cactus: Texas and Mexican origins, endangered status, starry spineless body, summer flowers, and care.
Mammillaria plumosa (Feather Cactus): Profile & Care
Profile of Mammillaria plumosa, the feather cactus: Nuevo León limestone habitat, feathery white spines, winter flowers, CITES status, ethics and care.
Cereus repandus / peruvianus (Peruvian Apple Cactus): Profile & Care
Cereus repandus, the Peruvian apple cactus, is a fast growing columnar tree cactus from South America with edible fruit and large white nocturnal flowers.
Opuntia humifusa / compressa (Eastern Prickly Pear): Profile & Care
Profile of Opuntia humifusa (compressa), the eastern prickly pear: identification, cultivation, propagation, and the cold-hardy mat-forming Opuntia of the East.
Parodia leninghausii (Lemon Ball / Yellow Tower): Profile & Care
Profile of Parodia leninghausii: south Brazilian native lemon ball with golden soft spines, mature size, flowering age, ID against P. magnifica and Notocactus.
Mammillaria elongata (Lady Finger / Gold Lace Cactus): Profile & Care
Field guide to Mammillaria elongata, the gold lace cactus: golden spines, clustering stems, Mexican highland origins, and cultivation tips for beginners.
Cleistocactus strausii (Silver Torch Cactus): Profile & Care
Cleistocactus strausii, the silver torch cactus, is a slim columnar species from Bolivia and Argentina with dense white bristly spines and a silver sheen.
Selenicereus undatus (Dragon Fruit Cactus): Profile & Care
Selenicereus undatus, the dragon fruit cactus, is a climbing tropical vine cactus with three-winged stems, huge nocturnal white flowers, and edible pink fruit.
Astrophytum capricorne (Goat's Horn Cactus): Profile & Care
Profile of Astrophytum capricorne, the goat's horn cactus: Mexican gypsum habitat, twisted papery flat spines, yellow red-throated flowers, and pot care.
Gymnocalycium mihanovichii (Moon / Ruby Ball Cactus): Profile & Care
Profile of Gymnocalycium mihanovichii: Paraguay and Bolivia native, wild type ID, why chlorophyll deficient Hibotan moon cactus must be grafted to survive.
Rebutia minuscula (Red Crown Cactus): Profile & Care
Profile of Rebutia minuscula, the Argentine red crown cactus with lateral-basal flowers and high-elevation frost tolerance. ID, cultivation, propagation.
Carnegiea gigantea (Saguaro): Habitat, Cultivation Limits
Profile of Carnegiea gigantea, the saguaro of the Sonoran Desert: 12 to 18 m, 150 to 250 year lifespan, identification, cultivation limits, legal status.
Opuntia ficus-indica (Indian Fig / Prickly Pear): Cultivation
Profile of Opuntia ficus-indica, the Indian fig or prickly pear: identification, cultivation, propagation, and the species behind nopales, tunas, and cochineal.
Cereus forbesii 'Spiralis' (Spiral Cactus): Profile & Care
Cereus forbesii 'Spiralis', the Spiral Cactus, is a stable cultivar with contra-clockwise twisting ribs, blue-green columns, and reliable cutting propagation.
Echinocactus grusonii (Golden Barrel Cactus): Profile & Care
Profile of Echinocactus grusonii, the golden barrel cactus: Mexican origins, endangered wild status, golden spines, flowering age, and practical care.
Mammillaria zeilmanniana (Rose Pincushion): Profile & Care
Profile of Mammillaria zeilmanniana, the rose pincushion: a single-canyon Guanajuato endemic with hooked centrals, magenta flower ring, and CITES I status.
Ferocactus wislizeni (Fishhook Barrel): Profile & Care
Profile of Ferocactus wislizeni, the fishhook barrel cactus of the SW USA: hooked central spines, southward lean, CITES II status, identification, and care.
Astrophytum myriostigma (Bishop's Cap Cactus): Profile & Care
Profile of Astrophytum myriostigma, the bishop's cap cactus: Mexican limestone habitat, five-rib form, yellow flowers, seed propagation and safe pot care.
Echinocactus platyacanthus (Giant Barrel Cactus): Profile & Care
Profile of Echinocactus platyacanthus, the giant barrel cactus of central Mexico: largest barrel species, flat curved spines, very slow growth, and care notes.
Mammillaria spinosissima (Spiny Pincushion Cactus): Profile & Care
Profile of Mammillaria spinosissima, the spiny pincushion cactus: Mexican volcanic habitat, variable spines, flower crown, care and propagation notes.
Opuntia basilaris (Beavertail Cactus): Profile & Care
Profile of Opuntia basilaris, the beavertail cactus: identification, cultivation, propagation, and the cold-hardy magenta-flowered Mojave desert species.
Ferocactus cylindraceus (California Barrel Cactus): Profile & Care
Profile of Ferocactus cylindraceus, the California barrel cactus: native range, ID by straight centrals vs F. wislizeni hooked spines, CITES II, and care.
Astrophytum ornatum (Star Cactus / Bishop's Hat): Profile & Care
Profile of Astrophytum ornatum, the largest Astrophytum: Mexican limestone habitat, eight ribs, curved spines, yellow flowers, propagation, and cultivation.
Gymnocalycium baldianum (Spider Cactus): Profile & Care
Profile of Gymnocalycium baldianum (spider cactus): Argentine origin, magenta-red spring flowers, cultivation, propagation, and how to separate sibling species.
Epiphyllum oxypetalum (Queen of the Night): Profile & Care
Epiphyllum oxypetalum, the queen of the night, is an epiphytic cactus native to Central America with huge fragrant white flowers that open for one night only.
Opuntia microdasys (Bunny Ears Cactus): Care & Glochid Safety
Field-guide profile of Opuntia microdasys, the bunny ears cactus: identification, cultivation, propagation, and how to safely handle its barbed glochids.
Schlumbergera truncata (Christmas / Thanksgiving Cactus): Profile & Care
Schlumbergera truncata, the Thanksgiving cactus, is a Brazilian epiphytic cactus needing high humidity, bright indirect light, and short days to flower.
Mammillaria hahniana (Old Lady Cactus): Identification & Care
Field guide to Mammillaria hahniana, the old lady cactus: white wool, pink flower ring, Mexican origins, and cultivation tips for beginners and collectors.
Parodia magnifica (Balloon Cactus): Profile & Care
Profile of Parodia magnifica, the South Brazilian balloon cactus with 11 to 15 ribs and golden summer flowers. ID, cultivation, frost limit, and propagation.
Rhipsalis baccifera (Mistletoe Cactus): The Old-World Cactus
Rhipsalis baccifera, the mistletoe cactus, is the only cactus native to both the New and Old Worlds. Care notes for this trailing epiphyte with white berries.