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!
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 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.
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.
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!
