Cacti are reckon humble maintenance all across the board , but thing can get wily when you keep these spiky plant indoors . Most cacti notoriously require bright lineal light to thrive , and that ’s not always something a home can supply . However , there are many cacti species that only need minimal care — that is , less light , water , and fertilizer . In fact , cacti are n’t commonly frost hardy , so they actually prefer being indoors during cold winters . Ahead , we ’ve round down up the bestlow - upkeep cactithat you may keep as houseplant to bring the desert indoors !
General indoor cactus care
Before we plunge into the everlasting cacti for your rest home , countenance ’s go over general indoor cactus care . Cacti usually boast a rounded form , as they store water inside of their succulent stems . They prefer hopeful direct sunlight and fond temperatures to grow . Indoors , you ’ll typically get the good lighting from a south- or west - facing window . To check that that your plant grows evenly instead of leggy from reaching for light , revolve it periodically . Should you not receive enough light , you may always affix your plant life with a grow light .
With cacti , a well - enfeeble cactus mix is a safe bet for soil , as indoor potting mix does n’t drain tight enough and may give your flora ascendant rot if you overwater . A water - wicking terracotta plantation owner is also the most absolvitory house for your plant , should you have too liberal a hand with tearing . The gold rule with cacti is to underwater — only give your plant a deglutition when its ground dries out . Cacti will also dislike additional humidness in the air , so there ’s no need to mist your flora or set it next to a humidifier .
Best indoor cacti for your home
Fairy castle cactus (Acanthocereus tetragonus)
The fairy rook cactus have columns with scratchy , jolting spines along the stem edges . This plant is happiest in a compact terracotta sens and apprise plenty of undimmed direct light .
Its column may grow thin and tall-growing without sufficient light , but they ’ll still stick alive as long as you do n’t overwater . This cactus seldom blooms , but you may get big xanthous or white efflorescence with a fledged plant . The fairy castle cactus is n’t particularly frost hardy , so you should keep it in temperatures above 30 ° F — if it ’s comfortable for you , it should be well-heeled for your plant life !
Bunny ear cactus (Opuntia albispina)
alternatively of spines , the bunny ear cactus consists of smart green fleshy diggings overcompensate in glochidium , or brusque yellow bristle clusters . Although the glochids are n’t technically spines , they can still get lodged into your fingers , so you should be prudent when picking up your plant — consider using a range - up paper . As this works does n’t tolerate frost , keep it in temperature above 50 degrees Fahrenheit . Also keep it in a well - draining , sandy pot mix , or simply house it in cactus ground , which you may fertilise with a dilute cactus fertilizer every two workweek during the growing time of year . With the bunny pinna cactus , you may get mealybugs or musical scale , which you should scavenge with rubbing alcoholic beverage .
Rat tail cactus (Aporocactus flagelliformis)
If you ’re fond to a get behind face , the rat tail cactus may be the plant for you . It features thick-skulled , trailing stems cover in tiny white-livered spines — come near these with circumspection when handling your plant ! During the spring , you may note blood-red or imperial flowers , although these wo n’t last for more than a week . The dirty dog tail cactus prefer slightly moist soil and can be kept in a well - drain potting mix as long as you do n’t overwater it . It can handle temperature as low as 40 ° F , but it really does best in stipulation above 50 ° F . If you allow your plant with these conditions , you may be rewarded with up to one ft of growth a class .
Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera)
Come wintertime , you ’ll notice your local gardens embellish out with not only painted leaf but also Christmas cacti . Coming with flat and smooth gullible leaves , this cacti mixture put out bright pink , purplish , and red blooms around the holiday . Although it ’s technically a cactus , it appreciates some humidity as well as some darkness to yield its beautiful bloom , so you wo n’t have to worry too much about it not receive enough light .
Scarlet ball cactus (Brasilicactus Haselbergii)
The scarlet ball cactus is an easy plant with , as the name suggests , a lump form covered in silvery spines . It snap out bright red blooms during the growing season , given that it get enough light and is sure-enough enough . During the spring and summertime , give your plant a low N plant food every calendar month . You ’ll also need to put up it with partial shade during those peak live hr in the summer .
Old man cactus (Cephalocereus senilis)
As its name promises , the old man cactus is a spined cactus covered in whitish hairs . In the desert , the hairs keep this plant warm during cold season . With esteem to temperature , this plant does well above 65 ° F . If you keep it as a houseplant , give the old homo cactus as much light as possible . If you ’re look for a cactus that wo n’t grow too big , the old man cactus detain comparatively succinct , as it ’s a boring grower .
Desert landscape may be what you think of when you retrieve of cacti , but that does n’t mean you ca n’t give a cactus appropriate tending inside of your home . Indeed , there are definitely cacti that can survive happily as houseplants . From the fairy castle cactus to the old man cactus , you could grow a healthy , home - dwelling cactus if you could provide it with light , stave off overwatering , and have a well - draining cactus mix at the quick .
