Flower Cactus Plants

When one thinks of growing flowering plants, cacti are generally not at the top of the list. Yet, when a cactus plant flowers, it is truly beautiful. Many cacti will flower in very impressive color from whites and pinks to intense reds and purples.

A common flowering cactus grown as a houseplant is the orchid cactus. This plant, also known as Epiphyllum, is recognizable by its broad, flat stems. It produces large, multi-petal flowers, in colors ranging from white to red. The flowers, themselves, may reach three to six inches in diameter.

A decidedly festive-sounding cactus, native to Brazil, is the Christmas cactus. It is so named because, when successfully raised and cared for, it will bloom with rose to purple flowers around the holidays. A healthy Christmas cactus, though, will live a long life, flowering several times each year. The botanical name for this plant is Schlumbergera and it has been grown as a houseplant since the 1800`s.

Cacti are very low maintenance plants. They can provide beauty for those who seem to suffer from a perennial brown thumb, experiencing a lack of success with other flowering plants. Cacti do grow slowly and should be allowed to thoroughly dry out between waterings but, when healthy, they will reward with remarkable floral display.