A Florist Guide to Flowering Cacti Varieties
Flowering cacti are among the most spectacular plants in the succulent world, producing blooms that seem almost impossibly vibrant and delicate for such hardy desert dwellers. This guide explores the major varieties of flowering cacti, their characteristics, and care requirements.
Understanding Flowering Cacti
Most cacti are capable of flowering, but some varieties are particularly prized for their spectacular blooms. These flowers range from small and subtle to large and showy, appearing in nearly every color except true blue.
Popular Flowering Cacti Varieties
Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera)
One of the most beloved holiday plants, Christmas cacti are actually tropical cacti native to Brazilian rainforests. They produce cascading stems with segmented, flattened leaves and stunning tubular flowers in pink, red, white, orange, or purple.
Blooming Period: Late fall to winter (November-January)
Care Tips: Unlike desert cacti, these prefer indirect light, regular watering, and higher humidity. They need a period of cooler temperatures and longer nights to trigger blooming.
Easter Cactus (Hatiora gaertneri)
Similar to Christmas cacti but with star-shaped flowers and different blooming times. The flowers have more pointed petals and appear in spring.
Blooming Period: Spring (March-May)
Care Tips: Similar care to Christmas cacti; prefers bright, indirect light and consistent moisture.
Orchid Cactus (Epiphyllum)
These spectacular cacti produce some of the largest flowers in the cactus family—blooms can reach 8-12 inches across! The flowers are often fragrant and come in brilliant colors including pink, red, orange, yellow, and white.
Blooming Period: Spring to early summer
Care Tips: Epiphytic cacti that prefer partial shade, rich soil with good drainage, and regular watering during growing season. They appreciate humidity and can tolerate less light than desert cacti.
Prickly Pear (Opuntia)
Recognizable by their flat, paddle-shaped pads, prickly pears produce large, cup-shaped flowers in yellow, orange, pink, or red. These are followed by edible fruits.
Blooming Period: Late spring to summer
Care Tips: Very drought-tolerant once established. Need full sun and well-draining soil. Can handle cold better than many cacti species.
Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus)
Compact, cylindrical cacti that produce disproportionately large, vibrant flowers in magenta, pink, red, orange, or yellow. The blooms often appear in rings around the top of the plant.
Blooming Period: Spring
Care Tips: Need full sun and excellent drainage. Water moderately during growing season, very sparingly in winter. Many species are cold-hardy.
Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus and Echinocactus)
These round, ribbed cacti produce rings of small flowers at their crowns. Flowers are typically yellow, orange, or pink.
Blooming Period: Summer
Care Tips: Require full sun, minimal water, and excellent drainage. Very slow-growing. Can take many years to reach flowering maturity.
Mammillaria Species
One of the largest cactus genera, Mammillaria cacti are small, clustering plants covered in tubercles (nipple-like projections). They produce rings or crowns of small, daisy-like flowers in pink, red, white, or yellow.
Blooming Period: Spring
Care Tips: Relatively easy to grow. Need bright light, good drainage, and moderate watering in summer. Many species flower readily, even when young.
Rebutia Species
Small, clustering cacti that produce abundant, trumpet-shaped flowers that are large relative to the plant size. Flowers appear in rings around the base in brilliant colors.
Blooming Period: Spring to early summer
Care Tips: One of the easiest cacti to flower. Need bright light but can tolerate some shade. Water regularly in growing season but keep dry in winter.
Peanut Cactus (Echinopsis chamaecereus)
A clustering cactus with finger-like stems that produces bright orange-red flowers. Blooms are large and showy relative to plant size.
Blooming Period: Late spring to summer
Care Tips: Easy to grow and flowers readily. Prefers bright light and regular water during growing season.
Night-Blooming Cereus (Selenicereus and Hylocereus)
These climbing cacti produce extraordinarily large, fragrant flowers that open only at night. The blooms are spectacular but short-lived, usually lasting just one night.
Blooming Period: Summer
Care Tips: Need support for climbing. Prefer partial shade and regular watering. The most famous species, Queen of the Night, produces vanilla-scented white flowers up to 12 inches across.
Bishop's Cap (Astrophytum myriostigma)
A spineless cactus with a distinctive star-shaped appearance. Produces yellow, daisy-like flowers at the top.
Blooming Period: Summer
Care Tips: Needs excellent drainage and full sun. Water sparingly, even in growing season.
Chin Cactus (Gymnocalycium)
Compact, globe-shaped cacti known for producing flowers at a young age. Blooms are often large relative to the plant and come in white, pink, red, or yellow.
Blooming Period: Spring to summer
Care Tips: Relatively easy to grow. Can tolerate partial shade. Need less direct sun than many cacti.
General Care for Flowering Cacti
Light Requirements
Desert cacti: Need full sun (6+ hours daily)
Tropical cacti: Prefer bright, indirect light
Epiphytic cacti: Thrive in partial shade
Watering
Water thoroughly when soil is completely dry
Reduce watering significantly in winter
Tropical species need more consistent moisture
Always use pots with drainage holes
Soil
Use well-draining cactus mix
Can add perlite or pumice for extra drainage
Tropical cacti benefit from richer soil with some organic matter
Encouraging Blooms
Provide a winter rest period with reduced water and cooler temperatures
Ensure adequate light year-round
Use low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus fertilizer during growing season
Avoid moving plants once buds form
For holiday cacti, provide 12-14 hours of darkness for several weeks before desired bloom time
Temperature
Most desert cacti tolerate 50-90°F (10-32°C)
Winter rest period should be cooler (50-55°F/10-13°C)
Protect from frost unless species is cold-hardy
Tropical cacti prefer consistent warmth
Troubleshooting Flowering Issues
Not blooming?
Plant may be too young (some take years to mature)
Insufficient light
Missing winter rest period
Wrong fertilizer (too much nitrogen)
Stress from frequent moving or repotting
Buds dropping?
Sudden temperature changes
Moving the plant
Under or overwatering
Insufficient light
Florist guide
Flowering cacti offer incredible diversity in both plant form and flower characteristics. Whether you prefer the tropical elegance of Christmas cacti, the dramatic nocturnal blooms of night-blooming cereus, or the brilliant daytime displays of hedgehog cacti, there's a flowering cactus variety to suit every taste and growing condition. With proper care and patience, these remarkable plants will reward you with some of nature's most stunning floral displays.
