Cacti, or cactus plants, are fleshy stem plants divided into segments that store water. Most have sharp spines and smaller glochids, but most also produce beautiful flowers throughout the year. Cacti are drought-tolerant, grow quickly, and are a beautiful way to enhance any xeriscape! I love them!
Torch cactus care guidelines and photos of flowers
If you’ve ever seen the flowers of a torch cactus in full bloom, I’m sure it’s a sight you won’t soon forget! Fortunately, these cactus plants are hardy and easy-to-care for! Read our care guidelines for torch cacti, and see if these specimens might work in your arid landscape or in your home!
Peruvian apple cactus pros and cons
Do you have a drought-tolerant landscape? Are you looking for a large, interesting-looking cactus that gets big, has lots of flowers, and gives you lots of fruit? Well, read about the Peruvian apple cactus pros and cons, and see if this plant will work in your xeriscape!
The Anatomy of a Cactus Flower
Have you ever wondered what a large dissected cactus flower would look? What are the parts, and how do they work together to create delicious cactus fruit? You can read all about cactus flower anatomy right now!
The twisted, contorted Cereus Peruvianus Monstrose cactus
This monstrose cactus can grow to monstrously large proportions. Thankfully, it’s a slow-growing cactus that you can even grow in a pot. Read our Cereus Peruvianus Monstrose cactus care guidelines, and see if this plant might work in your xeriscape!
The fishhook barrel cactus and its delicious, edible fruit
Did you ever think of eating cactus fruit? Yes, most cacti produces edible fruit, and so does the fishhook barrel cactus! In fact, the fruit from the fishhook barrel cactus has an excellent, unique taste, and is one of my favorites!
Saguaro Cactus, the good, the bad, and the ugly (not really)
Whenever I conjure up an image of a saguaro cactus, I immediately think of the old southwestern United States. It was a rough-and-tumble world back then (and still is), but the saguaro stood tall no matter how much heat, dust, and blowing sand was thrown its way.
Many people in my neighborhood have saguaros, both big and small, in their drought-tolerant landscapes. But, will this big plant be the right solution for your situation? Read the saguaro cactus pros and cons, and decide for yourself!
How to grow Opuntia quitensis Johnson’s hybrid cactus!
If you’re looking for a more petite opuntia cactus to grow in your xeriscape or in a container, take a look at the Opuntia quitensis Johnson’s hybrid cactus! It’s got a lot of good things going for it, and would look great in your arid landscape. Here’s how to grow the Opuntia quitensis Johnson’s hybrid cactus.
Organ Pipe Cactus pros and cons
The organ pipe cactus grows naturally in the desert of southwestern Arizona. And just like all the plants that grow naturally in the desert, we can also grow this cactus in our arid landscape! But, is this strikingly tall cactus right for your outdoor spaces? Read about the organ pipe cactus pros and cons, and make an informed choice!
How to eliminate the stuff that looks like white fungus on your cactus
Have you ever noticed some white-fungus-looking stuff on your cactus pads? Well, I have, and I figured out how to get rid of it. Read about how to eliminate the cochineal scaly insect’s sticky white houses from your opuntia cactus pads.
How to care for a silver torch cactus
I love the silver torch cactus, and have many of them in my arid landscape. Read all the care and propagation guidelines for this wonderful cactus!
How to prevent Pythium root rot in barrel cactus
Have you ever had a barrel cactus that rotted? Well, I have, and it was a devastating loss. In fact, the one that rotted was my favorite golden barrel cactus of all time! Well, here’s what I learned about preventing Pythium root rot from destroying any more of my cactus plants.
Beware: the toothpick cactus has extra long spines
Those long, sharp spines look very dangerous. But, they are also very beautiful, too, especially during sunrises and sunsets. Read about the description of this unique cactus and its care guidelines!
How to grow the paper spine cactus, one of the easiest plants in the world to grow
For an easy-to-grow xeriscape plant, try the paper spine cactus. Read our guidelines, and then share your experiences in the comments section.
A description of the Mexican fence post cactus
I have many Mexican fence post cactus plants in my landscape. They can be a perfect focal point and background plant for any xeriscape. Read our description of this wonderful cactus and how you might use it in your arid landscape!
How to care for the Old Man of the Andes cactus!
I remember the first Old Man of the Andes cactus I ever saw—it was in front of a house in my neighborhood in southern New Mexico. That was over 20 years ago, and I still remember that unique cactus today!
Now that I live in southern Arizona, I actually have one in my landscape. Here’s how to care for this unique-looking columnar cactus!
Content and photos by Doug Martin and The Zen Xeriscape
