Indoor cactus plants are trending; they’re the most sought-after these days and are becoming an integral part of modern home decor!
Cacti are gaining a strong following among houseplant admirers, thanks to their unique spiny skin and attractive, twisty shapes, which make them look as if they were sculpted by Mother Nature herself to show how creative she can be! And, if you too want to grow them in your home, start with these low-care and most popular indoor cactus plants.
Best Indoor Cactus Plants
1. Bunny Ear
Botanical Name: Opuntia microdasys
Hailing from Mexico, it features two pads that look like bunny ears. The plant is patterned with glochids or brown prickles and can grow up to 2-3 feet tall.
2. Barrel Cactus
Botanical Name: Echinocactus grusonii
Also known as a golden ball or mother-in-law’s cushion, this classic, most sought-after cactus features long, rigid spines that protect it.
3. Chin Cactus
Botanical Name: Gymnocalycium andreae
Its name implies ‘naked kalyx’ in Greek, which refers to the absence of spines or hairs on the flower buds. Some varieties grow in the shade, while others prefer sunlight.
4. Rat Tail Cactus
Botanical Name: Aporocactus flagelliformis
The trailing stems of this cactus are ideal for hanging baskets, as it grows fast and can reach lengths of 2-3 feet. The plant is quite hardy and tolerates a wide range of temperatures.
5. Old Lady Cactus
Botanical Name: Mammillaria hahniana
This cactus forms clusters of 10-inch-tall spherical or globose stems covered in fine white spines and hairs, with a halo of small pink or purple flowers blooming in spring.
6. Bishop’s Cap
Botanical Name: Astrophytum ornatum
Spherical ‘Bishop’s Cap’ looks striking in ceramic pots with its stiff spikes that cover ribbed spheres. It also has a frosty white coating that protects the plant from the sun.
7. Pincushion Cactus
Botanical Name: Mammillaria crinita
Pincushion cacti are small plants that can grow up to 6-8 inches in height and can be ball- or barrel-shaped, entirely covered with white spines.
8. Peanut Cactus
Botanical Name: Echinopsis chamaecereus
This plant resembles peanut shells, hence the name. It flowers in beautiful shades of white and orange with large flower heads. Contrary to other cacti, it has smooth spines.
9. Fairy Castle Cactus
Botanical Name: Cereus tetragonus
This slow-growing plant, with its numerous bright green vertical stems, can be a great desk or windowsill plant. Keep it near a south-facing window for best growth.
10. Ladyfinger Cactus
Botanical Name: Mammillaria elongata
Popularly known as the gold lace cactus, it is a small plant, growing only 6-7 inches tall. It grows cute white flowers that add to its beauty.
11. Dinosaur Back Plant
Botanical Name: Myrtillocactus geometrizans forma cristata
If you are a fan of plants with bizarre appearances, then this fits the bill! This cactus forms a fat, tree-like trunk that clusters over itself, giving it a unique shape.
12. Golden Rat Tail
Botanical Name: Cleistocactus winteri
The cylindrical trailing stems of this cactus give it a gorgeous look, while its spines are gentle and soft to touch. Flowers grow on individual stems in a vivid shade of orange and pink.
False or Grafted Cactus Plants
13. Christmas Cactus
Botanical Name: Schlumbergera bridgessii
Christmas cactus has smooth leaves with soft, rounded spines. It also features red, pink, white, and orange tubular flowers. Here’s how to care for it properly!
14. African Milk Tree Cactus
Botanical Name: Euphorbia trigona
A tall and easy-to-care specimen; if proper sunlight is available, it can be a great addition to your houseplant collection, thanks to its dark green rectangular stems with matching small white or yellow flowers. Here’s our growing guide on it!
15. Easter Cactus
Botanical Name: Schlumbergera gaertneri
Easter or Whitsun cactus is quite similar to Christmas cactus. It flowers in March or April, with white, orange, or lavender blooms on top of the prickly plant.
16. Zebra Cactus
Botanical Name: Haworthia fasciata
It’s not a true cactus, but it goes by the name Zebra cactus. This popular succulent features pointed leaves with white horizontal stripes and dotted insides.
17. Pencil Cactus
Botanical Name: Euphorbia tirucalli
Also Popular as Milk Bush, this is not a true cactus and has pencil-like stems from which the plant photosynthesizes. It can grow up to 4-6 feet tall indoors, but be careful if you have pets and kids because its sap is toxic.
18. Lifesaver Cactus
Botanical Name: Huernia zebrina
This unusual-looking cactus has stunning 5-pointed, star-like flowers with zebra stripes and a thick, round ring at the center, and four-sided stems with soft teeth on the edges.
19. Pebble Plant
Botanical Name: Lithops
Pebble plants or living stones are native to South Africa and Namibia. They look like rocks and can survive in extremely challenging conditions. Here’s how to grow them!
20. Moon Cactus
Botanical Name: Gymnocalycium mihanovichii
This grafted cactus is popular as an indoor plant, with colorful, ball-shaped tops in bright red, yellow, pink, or orange, covered with small, sharp spines along curved veins.
With so many sizes, shapes, and colors to choose from, there’s an indoor cactus for just about every space and style. Pick your favorite, give it plenty of bright light, and enjoy a houseplant that’s as easy to grow as it is eye-catching.
