As indoor plants, cacti are easy, intriguing and satisfying. There are thousands of varieties and all but the largest (or those that are protected) make excellent additions to the indoor environment. Like most other succulents, their needs can be met easily in a sunny window, since they prefer the warm, dry air that is customary in most homes and offices. Almost all cacti have thorns in some form and should be handled with care. Heavy leather gloves or tongs can make the job safer. If you get stuck with thorns large enough to grasp, simply pull them out with tweezers. If they are the small, bristly type you can't grasp, try covering them with a sticky tape and pulling it off quickly.
If that doesn't work, apply a thin coat of rubber cement and peel it off after it dries.
Here is a listing of some of the more popular and commonly available cacti and a little bit about each plant. For the same type of information about succulents, pick up a copy of Favorite Succulents forIndoors. For more information on how to grow and care for both, pick up a copy of Cacti and Succulents.
Rattail Aporocactus Rattail is the easiest cactus variety to grow in a hanging basket. It produces long, thin 'tails' that arch and drape over the rim of the planter and occasionally it blooms in spring.
Orchid Epiphyllum This is one of those cactus that hates the desert. Classified as a jungle plant, orchid cacti need to stay consistently moist in the summer and only a little drier during the winter. They have long, flat leaves that drape as they mature. The orchid cactus is prized for its beautiful blooms.
Peruvian Old Man Espostoa ianata This is a great cactus! It has an upright form covered with a fine white hair, making it look like an old man having a bad hair day. The older the plant, the woolier it gets. There are some wicked thorns under all that hair, so watch out!
Woolly Torch Cephalocereus a.k.a. Old Man and Billy Goat. A good cactus for beginners, this variety is the classic large, stately fence post and often gets a bit woolly as it ages. Given enough time, it is capable of outgrowing most ceilings, but it takes years.
Barrel Echinocactus It is a very slow growing ball-shaped cactus with ferocious thorns that just get stronger and sharper as the plant matures. It needs lots of sun and especially well-drained soil. Barrel cacti are impressive and make a great focal point for a group planting.
Christmas Schlumbergera and Easter Rhipsalidopsis Some of the earlier-blooming varieties are also called Thanksgiving cactus. Like the orchid cactus, Christmas and Easter cacti originated in the jungles of South
America. They need to stay consistently moist when growing and blooming and a little drier when resting in the winter. They are easy to grow and can be triggered back into bloom the next season by exposing them to several weeks of cool nights and short days.
Peanut Chamaecereus There are several varieties of peanut cactus that make good indoor plants. They are all made up of clusters of finger-sized shoots covered with fine thorns. Peanut cacti are easy to grow and stay compact, fitting into any dish garden or terrarium.
Prickly Pear Opuntia Another adaptable group of cacti, prickly pears
grow wild over much of North, Central and South America. Most stay about a foot tall and produce large, flat pads covered with tufts of fine bristles. Prickly pears are among the hardiest of the cacti, and will winter outdoors as far north as Southern Minnesota.
Pincushion Mammillaria These are easy-to-grow, quick-to-bloom and are extremely varied. Mammillarias all stay nice and compact and thrive on warm temps, occasional soakings and sandy soil. They are easily the favorite cacti for mixed planters.
Fishhook Ferocactus Two of the most interesting species of the Fishhook cactus are F. gracilus, with bright red hooked spines and F. glaucescens with bright yellow hooked spines on an almost blue body. They are slow-growing and seldom bloom, but their unique spines are fascinating.
Golden Ball Notocactus leninghausii The thorns are the most interesting aspect of this round, squat cactus. It is easy to grow and as it matures (5 years or so), it is known for offering an occasional stunning flower. It usually grows alone, but will occasionally develop little sideshoots.
Crown Rebutia There are several interesting varieties of Crown cacti. All are very easy to grow and stay compact, making them perfect for a sunny windowsill. Crown cactus are made up of tight clusters of little spiny balls. They flower freely once they are a year or two old and are easy to propagate.
Night-blooming Cereus Selenicereus grandiflorus Undoubtedly the most intriguing cactus, it is best known for its huge scented flowers. The blooms are rare and fleeting (lasting only one night) but are well worth waiting for. This cactus needs lots of room and likes to climb or trail.
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