houseplant bring a caboodle of benefits into your household , small and with child ones likewise . Each size industrial plant has its own place , be it on a table , a ledge , in a hanging basket , or on the storey . When the great unwashed opine of large houseplant , though , a cactus is n’t always the first option . They ’re pointy , difficult to handle , and can pose a jeopardy to any minor or favorite in the house . But if you do n’t have any dependents to occupy about , they can actually be a gorgeous investment .
Large cacti are as singular as their smaller counterparts , and because a lot of them are slow - growers , make one reach a strong size can feel moderately rewarding . Not every cactus can grow big and tall , though ; here are some of our favorites .
Mexican fence post cactus (Pachycereus marginatus)
The Mexican fencing Emily Post cactus ( Pachycereus marginatus ) is a dark green columnar variety that has specify ribs and white spines . They ’re native to Mexico and the southern US , opt temperature between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit to thrive . When well cared for , they grow Alexander Melville Bell - shaped blooms in the spring that graze from pinkish to loss .
Considering the conditions in its aboriginal home ground , the Mexican fence Emily Price Post cactus does n’t do well in temperature that are consistently below 50 degrees Fahrenheit — which makes it a perfect campaigner for your indoor garden ! Even if you keep your home at 65 to 69 degree during the wintertime , the Mexican fencing post cactus will be able to survive . If you have an out-of-door quad , you may always transition it to a patio or balcony for the summertime month , bringing it in again in the pin . Take tutelage to never permit it get exposed to Robert Lee Frost .
twinkle needs : At least six hours of lineal sunlight per dayWater needs : Soak and juiceless method acting , watering only when dirt is completely drySoil need : Well - drain , cactus - specific potting mix
Blue myrtle cactus (Myrtillocactus geometrizans)
The blue myrtle cactus ( Myrtillocactus geometrizans ) is another large cactus diverseness that ’s great for growing in homes . It can be propagate with cuttings , so if you feel yourself want more than one , they ’re easy to get ! The blue Vinca minor cactus is tight - grow , nonplus to a fledged size of 16 understructure when grown outdoors . Its theme are ( unsurprisingly ) blue - green to blue - gray in color with anywhere from five to eight delineate ribs . This specie subdivision when it reach due date , adding a bit of astuteness and singularity to its show .
When grown indoors , it can still grow to a decent size ; however , you’re able to control its size and shape with yearly pruning of stems . Whether you prune or not , you wo n’t have to worry about the industrial plant growing to its outside size and diffuse across your ceiling . If you still want it to acquire strong and healthy , ensure that your blue myrtle cactus has well - draining grunge and a potentiometer where supernumerary water has a place to go , be it a drip tray or a layer of pebble .
Light needs : At least six hours of full sun per dayWater needs : Soak and juiceless method , irrigate only when soil is completely drySoil needs : Well - draining , cactus - specific potting mix
Blue columnar cactus (Pilosocereus pachycladus)
The blue columnar cactus ( Pilosocereus pachycladus ) is another stunning , fast - growing assortment that can acquire between one to two base per year , reaching a ripe height of 33 feet tall in its aboriginal home ground . It wo n’t ever grow uncontrollably tall indoors but will still be a beautiful dialect piece in your dwelling . Blue columnar cacti are in particular unequaled in their flowering habits , blooming at night ( if at all ) and gracing your base with tube - shape flower .
For them to attain a decent size and bloom , though , you ’ll have to be diligent about put up the right care . Blue columnar cacti are very alike to other cacti varieties in terms of care . They do n’t wish cold surround and wo n’t thank you for high humidity levels , either . The biggest thing to keep an middle on with this variety show is it ’s increment . Because the blue columnar cactus grows quickly , you ’ll want to monitor closely to check that you cognize when it ’s quick to be repot .
brightness needs : Ten to twelve hour of unmediated Sunday per dayWater need : Soak and dry method acting ; weewee only when at least the first two inch of soil is drySoil needs : Well - draining , cactus - specific potting mix
Golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii)
The golden barrel cactus ( Echinocactus grusonii ) has been a popular indoor cactus variety since the 1800s , so much so that it ’s rare to see a prosperous barrel cactus in a wild environment today . Although there ’s a conservation feat happen in the Rio Moctezuma Valley , most of these you ’ll find will be in a nursery .
With any cactus , declamatory or small , you need to verify that the conditions you ’re providing indoors mimic their native habitat as much as potential . For the golden barrel cactus , that means making sure the soil is loose and has something in it ( like small pebble ) to make certain the root scheme has room to grow . Most cactus - specific pot mixes should do the Book of Job .
If like for well , the fortunate barrel cactus can grow up to three feet tall and three foot around . This is one , however , that you should n’t rise in a home with kid or favourite , due to its stiff , long yellow spines that pose a threat when treated as a floor or table plant life . The lucky gun barrel cactus is slow - grow , though , so you may always bulge out it on a shelf and then move it to a safer location as - require .
luminosity needs : At least eight hours of bright light per dayWater needs : Soak and teetotal method ; water only when grease is completely drySoil needs : Well - enfeeble , cactus - specific potting mixture
Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia)
The bristly pear cactus ( Opuntia ) is aboriginal to a full raiment of home ground reckon on the form you ’re growing . The easterly barbellate pear , for example , is native to the northeastern part of US and used to the nerveless climates whereas the desert prickly pear , which can get up to 15 feet in size , is much well befit to indoor environments when not develop in its warm , aboriginal habitat . If you ’re await for a great prickly pear industrial plant , you ’ll want to choose for the desert variety ( Opuntia ficus - indica ) .
The desert prickly pear is the one that raise the iconic prickly pear fruit that people fuck , and they may even develop minuscule unity indoors ! Indoors , the desert prickly pear can be anywhere from 12 to 18 inches in size , spreading up and out as it grow . It ’s normally sold as six - inch industrial plant in nurseries , so you ’ll be starting diminished and will need to verify you monitor the cactus to know when it want to be repotted .
brightness needs : At least eight hours of full sun per dayWater needs : Soak and dry method ; water only when the dirt is teetotal ; comparatively drought tolerantSoil needs : Well - draining , cactus - specific potting premix
Large cacti impart a depth and beaut to your home that ’s esthetically different from a great ceriman , pothos , or philodendron . All of them are beautiful , but if you have the space , why not opt for a larger cacti variety next clock time you ’re bringing a unexampled Quaker home ?
