Indoors and thriving: 8 Cactus Species best for indoors
Are you tired of high-maintenance plants that demand constant attention and care? Look no further, because cacti are here to save the day! But before you go and buy any old cactus for your indoor haven, you need to know that there are some that adapt well indoors, and there are some that just...don’t.
PRO TIP: THE OLDER & HEALTHIER THE PLANT, THE HIGHER THE CHANCES OF it thriving INDOORS.
The cacti in today’s blog are the ultimate houseplants for busy, on-the-go people like you.
Indoor plants have been shown to improve air quality, reduce stress, and boost overall mood, and cacti are no exception.
These cacti below are easy to maintain but don't forget, they prefer direct sunlight, at least 2 hour per day through a window to thrive and live happily indoors.
To be honest, if we get technical, no plant is really living its best life indoors, not even “indoor plants”.
You’ll certainly notice less growth, little to no flowering, and even dormancy (no growth at all) when you move your plants indoors.
Got the perfect indoor location for a cactus, but it doesn’t get a lot of sun? Rotating your cactus between a well-lit space and a low-light area every 3-6 months is a good hack to keep them alive and well. We suggest moving cacti to a sunnier location at the start of a cloudy week and monitoring them for the first two weeks. By ensuring they don’t get high UVB rays over the first fortnight, you decrease the risk of sun bleaching your plants during the transition period (be wary of the first 2 weeks when you move or rotate your plants in any scenario)!
FUN FACT:
Cacti are not immune to Sun damage. NEW EXPOSURE TO THE SUN OR Extended exposure to UVB rays can lead to cellular damage TO plants, WHICH can CAUSE SUNBURN MARKS. The effects WORSEN when plants are dehydrated, as this hinders their ability to transport sunscreen chemicals to the areas impacted BY the sun. in short, a well hydrated plant can protect itself better from sun damage than a shriveled, dehydrated plant!
Enough blabbering, let’s get to the point (pun intended).
These 8 cacti have adapted to survive in some of the harshest environments on earth, and they're just as tough when it comes to surviving in your home.
Here are our top 8 indoor cactus
that will live best indoors:
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii)
Introducing the Golden Barrel Cactus, also known as Echinocactus grusonii or mother in laws cushion (hehe), the perfect addition to your indoor, well-ventilated space. This cactus may be slow-growing, but it's also low maintenance, making it perfect for anyone with commitment issues.
And while the Golden Barrel cactus don’t bloom until fully mature (10years+), it will grace you with a beautiful crown of yellow flowers in summer if given sufficient light.
Cereus Peruvianus (Night Blooming cactus)
Introducing the Cereus Peruvianus, also known as the "Night Blooming Cactus” or the "Peruvian Apple Cactus." This tall growing species of cactus is native to South America, but it's also found a new home in Australia and it's thriving! With a firm stem and ribbed texture, the Night Blooming cactus is a popular staple that commonly produces stunning large white flowers that bloom at night, even in a bright indoor area! There are MANY cereus species out there, some with long spines, some with itty-bitty spines (great around pets and children), all of which are great indoor options. Expect to see 10 to 30 centimeters of growth per year (depending on the environment).
Overall, this large feature is a cost-effective option that has well-adapted to indoor environments.
Stenocereus sp
Introducing the Stenocereus sp. also known as the “steno”. This cactus species has large white spines and is native to Mexico, and it's a tall, columnar cactus that can grow over 5 meters tall (over a lifetime) with branching arms. This slow-growing rare plant displays a distinctive ribbed stem and blooms large white (or pinkish) flowers at night, outdoors.
Pro Tip: Cactus Vision recommends a bright indoor area to encourage younger plants to grow.
Pachycereus Pringlei
Introducing the Pachycereus Pringlei, also known as "The Cardon Cactus." This species of cactus doesn’t commonly grow arms until it is decades old. The Pachycereus Pringlei is native to Mexico and will grow much slower indoors compared with its outdoor counterpart, which reaches a maximum height of about 6-10 meters outdoors over a life time.
Growing on a few centimeters per year indoors this is the perfect home companion. Be mindful however that blooms find it difficult to form in lower light areas and older plants do much better indoors than younger plants.
The Pachy is all about its sharp white spines, and will definitely add some edge to your space. Be mindful that mature plants can be quite hard to find!
Myrtillocactus Geometrizans (BLUE CANDLE CACTUS)
Introducing the Myrtillocactus Geometrizans, also known as the "Blue Candle Cactus." This species of cactus is native to Mexico and is a slow-growing cactus that is perfect for indoor spaces. It has a distinctive blue-green stem and small white or pink flowers that bloom in the summer once mature, when grown outdoors.
The Blue Candle will add a pop of blue to your home and will be a unique and eye-catching addition to any collection.
Cereus Monstrose
Introducing the Cereus Monstrose, also known as the "Monster Cactus". This species of cactus is native to South America, and it's a unique and interesting cactus that is perfect for indoor spaces. This slow-growing cactus has a twisted, gnarled, and densely-branched stem, typically with small spines and white flowers that bloom in the summer, when grown in well lit areas.
The Monstrose can be difficult to treat indoors if it gets any pests, like mealy bug or scale. If you get infestations, try moving this outside temporarily after treatment so it can defend itself faster from the infestation! Read more about how to treat pest infestations on our blog.
Euphorbia Cowboy
The Euphorbia acrurensis, commonly referred to as the Cowboy Cactus, boasts a distinctive growth pattern that transforms it into a captivating bush-like succulent. This unique Euphorbia variety does really well indoors, we’ve had customers grow them in areas that barely get an hour of direct sunlight, and they do great for years and years in in these lower light spaces!
While the Cowboy Cactus doesn't produce flowers indoors, its prolific arm growth and resilient nature make it an excellent choice for those desiring a low-maintenance succulent.
Euphorbia Ingen
The Euphorbia Ingen, a resilient and tall succulent, thrives indoors with minimal care, needing about 1-2 hours of direct sunlight. While not known for frequent flowering, its enduring nature makes it a low-maintenance option for indoor gardening.
before you go running to add a cactus to every room of your house, there are a few things you should know.
All recommended cacti in today’s blog can tolerate as little as 2 hours of direct sun (on a typical sunny day) with the correct care. That being said, every plant is unique, and every environment is also unique. If new growth isn’t very thick, or your plant starts to dis-colour, or form new ‘scar-like’ marks, consider moving your plant to a sunnier location.
In terms of TLC, they prefer watering as per our care page, check it out HERE.
find out which desert plants and cacti are the worst indoors
Visit our blog post “DON’T KEEP THESE CACTI INDOORS” to learn more about the arid species you shouldn’t have in indoor spaces!