What is the difference between cacti and succulents?

  The confusion between cacti and succulents is understandable, especially looking at the similarities that about. While there are features that connect them, there are others that also set the cactus apart from other succulents.

Cactus is a popular desert plant that has recently gained much prominence in homes. Apart from the cactus, there are succulents. In most cases, these two terms are used interchangeably, and this begs the question, are cactus succulents? To better understand this, it is only fair we understand the definition of a succulent. A succulent is any plant with the ability to store water in its juicy stems, leaves or roots during plenty to be used in time of drought.

So, is cactus a succulent? By virtue of its physical features, the cactus is a succulent. However, the word cactus is used to denote its botanical family (Cactaceae). A succulent is a broader group that includes a number of other botanical families. So simply put, all cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti.

This article will work to demystify the difference between cactus and succulents. It will be looking at the differences and similarities that abound between these plants.

Understanding The Difference

Cactus is derived from the word Kaktos which essentially means ‘spiny plant’. Later, the name Cactaceae was coined to identify a group of plants that exhibited peculiar traits like storing large amounts of water in their stem, hairy or prickly coverings and limited or no leaves.

One can easily identify cacti, albeit with rare exceptions, from their leave-less appearance. This is a result of their struggle to thrive under harsh climatic conditions. Their stems are modified into pads, cylinders and joints that help store water in times of drought. The spikes and bristles come in handy for protection against herbivores. This is one of the adaptations for survival in the wild. Most of them feature brightly colored flowers, and some produce edible fruits.

It’s all in the leafs

While most succulents feature notable leaves, cacti do not have any. However, during the seedling stage, cacti have leaves, and some will sprout on new growth, albeit for a short time. With time, they shade these leaves to help avoid water loss through evaporation.  Most cacti will change shape in the course of their growth as they adjust to the prevailing conditions. They also feature accordion-like ribs that expand to accommodate more water without bursting and will contract without losing shape as the plant uses up the water.

On the other hand, the evolution of succulents like hawthorias, aloes, echeveria and drassula happened under less severe conditions compared to cacti. Most succulents have leaves, but these are also adapted to dry climatic conditions. Their leaves would become flattened gradually by water-storing tissues. These leaves are covered with horny or waxy materials that help reduce water loss through evaporation.

Variety of climates

Most succulents can be found in desert and semi-desert areas, especially in the warmer parts of the world like Africa and Mexico. However, others like sempervivums and sedums thrive in colder regions and can be found in rocky slopes.

Most deserts of the world are home to succulents, but not all succulents are desert plants. A number of them exist in forests, mountains and near rivers, seas and lakes. For instance, in the semi-arid regions of America, Africa and Asia, most succulents thrive, but they can also be found in rain forests. The following are some of the notable succulents and their native regions:

Aeonium – Africa, Madeira and Canary Islands

Agave – The Americas

Cotyledon – Africa

Aloe- Africa, Atlantic Islands, the Mediterranean

Crassula – Africa

Dudleya – Mexico, coastal  California

Gasteria – South Africa

Echeveria –  the Amricas

Faucaria – South Africa

Kalanchoe – America, Africa and Southeast Asia

Sempervivum – Southern and Central Europe, North Africa

Cacti are believed to have evolved over 30 million years ago in North and South America. This explains why most cacti species are native to these regions, and it stretches from western Canada to Patagonia. On the other hand, succulents are native to every continent apart from Antarctica. The adaptability of these plants is unmatched. In fact, they can sometimes be found as epiphytes that grow as parasites to other plants.

Taking Care Of Succulents

Succulents have been known to make excellent houseplants. This is especially so considering the popularity that cacti have gained in the last few years as both garden and indoor plants. With the right propagation and potting according to their variety and family, succulents will need little attention. As long as they have access to enough sunlight, they can thrive even without frequent watering regimes.

This said, it is important to appreciate that each succulent variety has its specific care tips. However, the rule of thumb is always to ensure you have the right soil mix for your succulent. Talk to your botanist about your succulent and should be in a position to advise you on the best soil mix for your plant. Nevertheless, always ensure the soil mix is dry enough before watering.  This will help reduce cases of root rot that can be detrimental to the life of your succulent.

Water and lighting needs

Depending on the humidity, drainage and temperatures in place, watering once a week is ideal for most succulents. Always be on the lookout for signs of over-watering. These may include leaves looking mushy or soggy. In other instances, the leaves may change color.

Most succulents thrive best under a bright light. However, you do not necessarily have to expose your succulent to direct sunlight. Placing it by the window will do just fine. You may see the need to move them around just to see how they adapt to the various conditions. In cases where getting sunlight is a challenge, you can opt for grow lights to help offer the much-needed light for healthy growth. Some notable signs of light deficiency in succulents include leaves stretching out and pale flesh.

Propagating Succulents

Succulent can be a source of joy when grown indoors. As such, you want to have as many as possible. Luckily propagation of succulents is simple. Depending on your variety, succulents can be propagated by seeds or vegetatively.

Propagating succulents from seeds can only be possible with successful pollination. While in the wilt, this would be done by wind insects and birds. However, when grown indoors, you may need to practice cross-pollination by hand to increase your chances of getting healthy seeds.

On the other hand, vegetarian propagation can be done by using cuttings, pads or offshoots of the parent plant. These would then be replanted by spurring rooting in separate containers. These cuttings would, however, require a healing period called callousing before transplanting. This helps increase the chances of rooting by avoiding the risk of rotting.

Common Succulents You Can Plant Indoors

Apart from cacti, there are multiple other succulents that can be grown indoors. The type of succulent to go for will depend on the climatic conditions and overall home décor of your indoors. Hereby some common indoor succulents:

Aloe Vera – This is a common succulent that can sometimes be confused for a cactus, thanks to its appearance. Apart from improving your home décor, aloe vera has been used from time immemorial to heal burns and relieve pain.

Burrows Tail Sedium – This succulent thrives best when grown in hanging baskets. It works perfectly with medium to high light.

Panda Plant  – This is a type of kalanchoe and is most popular for its soft, fuzzy leaves that help complement home décor.

Ponytail Palm – Often confused for a palm tree, this succulent stands out with its bulbous trunk that helps store water.  This is most ideal for busy individuals or those who travel frequently.

Snake Plant – This extremely hardy succulent is resistant and can handle a lot of abuse. Water sparingly with breaks in between to allow the soil to dry out.

Crown of thorn – This thorny succulent has gained much prominence thanks to its unique shape. Water the plant as soon as one inch of the soil feels dry. Too much dry soil, and you risk losing its leaves and flowers.

Pincushion Cactus –  Its name notwithstanding, the Pincushion cactus is not a true cactus but falls under general succulents. It is part of a group of around 200 ball-shaped succulents. It thieves best under extremely high light.

Cacti, just like the rest of succulents, may not need much attention, but following the common care tips will help improve their health.  Most succulents are slow-growing and will thus need the patience to reach maturity.  When grown at home, it is important to understand its ecological needs. 

While most succulents would thrive in the deserts, others do best in cold conditions. With this in mind, it becomes much easier to determine the best conditions even when grown at home. Unlike cacti, most other succulents have leaves and would make their food through photosynthesis, just like any other regular plant. As such, exposure to sunlight is vital for their survival.

Amazing Large Cactus Plants

 Shedding seeds, tough skin and spines, these large cactus can be surprisingly beautiful even though they might look intimidating. You'll want to keep an eye out for these large cactuses and add them into your garden if you love interesting plants!

If you have the notion that cactuses have stunted growth just because they grow in harsh desert conditions, then you’re wrong. That climate that other plants find harsh and unfavorable for growth is perfect for many cacti varieties. Cactuses are capable of growing into giant trees when exposed to their natural habitats. Well, they can take years to grow large, with others like saguaro taking up to 200 years to reach full maturity, but they eventually reach the size no matter how long it takes.

Cactus plants vary in size, shape, and habitat. While many people will associate large cacti with the wild, they also make a statement in home gardens. The large cacti still make perfect indoor plants because of their slow growth. You can move them outside once they start to enlarge. Another thing about large cacti is that they’re not too demanding in terms of care and can ideally create a bold and trendy statement if they find perfect growth conditions.

Take a look at these ten large cacti types that add the perfect statement to your gardens. You can pick your favorite one according to what you want to achieve. Whether you want large cacti for a garden ornament, indoor beauty plants, or beautiful fence posts, one of these cactuses will come to your aid.

1.  Saguaro Cactus (Carnegiea Gigantea)

Saguaro cactus is the largest in the U.S and is treated as an icon to west American. The cactus grows up to 40 feet tall if the conditions allow it. However, the cactus grows at a very slow rate, with most of its growth noticeable at the tip or the top. It can take saguaro up to 10 years to record an inch in its height.

Saguaro cactus can reach a height of six and a half inches by the time it reaches 70 years. This is the time when you might start seeing the long-awaited blooms. Saguaro will continue producing milky white flowers with a sweet scent after reaching this age. You’ll see the blooms adorning your garden in late spring and early summers.

By 95-100 years, saguaro will reach around 15 to 16 inches, and you might see its first firm arm. Saguaro cactus reaches its maturity by 200 years old, and it records up to 45 feet tall at this age. Others might have several arms at the maturity time, while some may not produce even one branch. If you plant saguaro now, the chances are that you’ll not live to witness its maturity. But you’ll still appreciate something your grandchildren will remember you for.

 

2.  Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii)

Just like the name, barrel cactus is another large growing cactus you can ever find at home or in the wild. The barrel is common in households and home gardens with their yellow flowers. It has turned out to be a popular addition to gardens in many regions hence has a widespread demand. It’s very hard to find the golden barrel cactus in the wild because it has been dug for years. But no, it’s not disappearing because its popularity as a garden ornament continues to grow with many people transplanting.

The globe-shaped cactus makes a perfect ornament for patios, conservatories, and other indoor rooms. But these cactuses only flower when you move them outdoors as they can have a hard time blooming indoors.

The cactus is known to record rapid growth during its first few years of planting and slow down after that. During the first few years, the cactus will grow up to three feet tall and three feet in diameter. You’ll then have to tend to your cactus for up to ten years for it to grow to 10 feet in diameter and height. They can reach this size when exposed to conditions similar to natural habitat.

The cactus grows in a ribbed stem with yellowish spines though you can also find spineless ones. The crown forms white-colored woolen hairs at its top. Golden barrel makes a perfect ornament for an exotic appearance as well as its hardy nature. The golden spines on its spherical shape body have given it a pincushion shape. This has earned it the nickname ‘mother-in-law’s cushion.’

 

3.  Totem Pole Cactus (Pachycereus Schottii)

The totem pole is a slow-growing cactus, but this doesn’t mean it won’t grow large eventually. The club-shaped cactus is an undemanding one making it fun to grow in your home and perfect for beginner gardeners. It forms irregularly-shaped green stems with some areolas and odd-shaped tubercles. The plant develops individual stems that branch at the base and higher in vertical stems.

Totem pole cactus mainly reaches 6 inches in diameter and takes a silvery sheen appearance. When fully matured, the cactus can grow to a maximum height of 10 to 12 feet. It’s a pretty simple cactus to grow. It won’t get bothered by insects and pests and grow pretty well as long as it doesn’t receive too much water.

One thing that makes the totem pole cactus unique is that it’s among the cactuses that bloom at night. The flowers appear in late spring and take a light pink shade. They open at dusk and close by mid-morning. The multiple upright arms add to its large size. They make a perfect showy display for the garden. You can be creative with them by using them along with pools and ponds. They can also work well along a tall wall for some architectural effect.

4.  Candelabra Cactus (Myrtillocactus Cochal)

Candelabra cactus is another large cactus you’re likely to find in the hillside, which is its natural habitat. This cactus mostly grows up to ten feet tall and ten tall feet wide. When grown outdoors in mild conditions, candelabra cactus goes up to 40 feet tall and develops a crown of 25 feet wide. But they can look smaller when used as houseplants because you’ll be controlling their growth.

Apart from the size, you’ll recognize this cactus with its cup-shaped flowers that open when the sun is up and closes when the sun goes out. This is another edible cactus though the fruits are somehow acidic.

Apart from growing in the hillside, the cactus can also adorn rock gardens and xeriscape. This is a drought-tolerant plant that is very easy to care for. But this cactus is unique from its kind because it thrives so well when given more water, especially during the summer months.

Candelabra cactus is admirable from all aspects of it. It has a beautiful funnel shape, ivory flowers, dark green branches, and a unique woody trunk. Its branches produce six to eight ribs with a central spine surrounded by shorter radial spines in every areola. Its white, cupped flowers appear in late spring to early summer. The cactus does well when mixed with other succulents in the garden. It mostly appreciates rock gardens or raised planters.

 

5.  Golden Ball Cactus (Parodia Leninghausii)

Golden ball cactus grows into large clusters, making it a perfect fit for the category of large cactuses. Others call this cactus lemon ball, while others call it yellow tower cactus. All the names perfectly fit this cactus that grows up to three feet tall. The balls are resistant to fire hence perfect for protecting the landscape against fire hazards.

Don’t confuse this cactus with golden barrels, although they almost look the same. Their biggest differentiating factor is that the golden balls start in a globular shape, which turns columnar as they grow older. They make perfect plants for beginner gardeners as they’re easy to grow as long as they get some shade during the hottest hours.

This beautiful cactus comes with gentle yellow spines that have a soft glow. When given enough space, the plants can reach up to 24 inches tall and four inches wide. But you can manage the size better by growing them in pots.

6.  Mexican Fence Post Cactus (Pachycereus Marginatus)

Just mentioning the name ‘fence post’ already tells you that this is indeed a large cactus. Well, a Mexican fence post can grow up to 16 feet high. It also forms individual stems that grow between three and eight inches in diameter. Its radial spines appear yellowish to gray. The cactus itself grows in a green tree-like shape. They grow in columns and tend to be solitary.

This beautiful cactus is perfect as a fence for your garden. In fact, Mexicans use it as a living fence thanks to its upright growth and showy columnar shape. It got its ‘fence post’ name due to the fact that many Mexicans use it as a fence post. The cactus not only adorns your garden with beautiful posts but also with beautiful blooms that appear around mid and early spring.

For Mexican fence post cactus to grow well, you need to treat it to frequent watering, especially when it’s too hot outside. The plant doesn’t like frost, so consider protecting it with Styrofoam cups on the tips. If you want some dramatic effect in your home, consider planting near bright colored walls. It’s a relatively low maintenance cactus that can also do well when planted in desert or tropical settings.

 

7.  Cowboy Cactus (Euphorbia Acruensis)

Cowboy cactus is also known as Euphorbia and is a very rare succulent making them a kind of gem. Although they’re not true cactus, they can still form the category of the largest indoor plants of the cacti family. Like other cactuses, the cowboy is easy to plant and care for.

They’ll not be too demanding of your time as long as you give them enough light and water when dry. The slow-growing plant can work well in indoor care as long as it receives enough light and ventilation. The plant makes a great architectural feature in mixed planting when used in an outdoor space.

The cowboy cactus stuns every gardener with its beautiful deep green color and stunning upright shape. The plant grows up to 1.5 meters tall if it’s happy. Watch out for the white sap in the plant as it can cause skin and eye irritation. If you have children and pets at home, refrain from planting cowboy cactus indoors because the spikes and the milky sap can be dangerous.

 

8.  Old Man Cactus (Cephalocereus Senilis)

The old man is one of the most popular cacti you can find in gardens and the wild. Its popularity can be attributed to the fact that the old man cactus is easy to propagate both in seeds and cutting. The old man grows tall and forms a columnar. It has a branching growth with the body covered in long and wooly hair that almost resembles a beard. This is where it got its beautiful name from. The cactus falls in the large cacti category because it can grow up to 49 feet when used as an outdoor plant. When potted, the old man cactus can grow really slow but still look great.

Not only the white hair covering the body has made old man cactus attractive, but there’s more to its beauty. The stunning succulent also wows its growers with beautiful blooms that come from the stems. When the cactus reaches a height of 20 feet, it will start producing the stunning flowers that mostly come out at night. The flowers have attractive colors, which appear pink outside and white within. When matured, old man cactus produces pinkish-red fruits covered in yellowish hair. You can plant the old man cactus in clusters to harness its beauty.

Younger old man cacti are completely covered in white hair, while the older ones have hairs in the growing tips of the stem. While the wooly hairs can look appealing and inviting to touch, stay away from them as the plant has very sharp spikes beneath the wools.

 

9. Eve’s Needle Cactus (Austrocylindropuntia Subulata)

Don’t let the name needle fool you that this is a needle-sized plant. Eve’s needle perfectly fits the category of large cactuses as it’s capable of growing up to 13 feet tall and 10 feet wide when exposed to its natural habitat. The plant also has awl-like and green-yellow leaves that grow up to five inches when the cactus is mature enough.

Eve’s needle takes its name from the many sharp and tall spines that form in its stem. Younger plants don’t have the spines, but the older ones are full of these yellowish-red and needle-like spines. Eve’s needle produces cylindrical deep green leaves. This cactus rarely blooms, but when it does, you’ll see long, coppery red, snowy flowers that are no doubt worth the long wait. The flowers produce thick, rounded, and thorny fruits. The edible fruits can be up to 10cm long.

Avoid planting Eve’s needle indoors in households full of children and pets. The spines can be a danger to the skin and clothes. The drought-tolerant plant is perfect for xeriscaping. They can do well in almost all conditions except super cold climates. Give it regular watering but be careful not to overwater lest you expose it to rot.

  

10. Organ Pipe Cactus (Lemaireocereus Thurberi)

Organ pipe cactus grows in long stems that resemble sausage links. They got the name organ pipe because of their multi-limbed grows that look like pipes of church organs. The cactus is a tall columnar plant with several ribbed stems branching above the ground. Organ pipe cactus can grow up to 30 feet with 30 feet wide clumps. Their slow growth makes them look smaller in most gardens though their beauty still glows as required.

This cactus produces a beautiful glow that mostly blooms in the evening. The blooming season for the organ spine is in spring. The color varieties of the cactus include purple, white, and pink with numerous petals. Because of their beauty, they can make a perfect statement in the courtyard patio gardens. You can also grow them as raised planters or hedges. They can do well in the sun and minimal winter temperatures.

Organ pipe cactus and other similar species are loved not only because of their beauty; they also produce delicious fruits that natives fancy. Their red fruits are very fleshy and sweet. The cactus is a slow-growing plant, so they can do well in containers when young before transferring them to the garden. They require enough watering, but you should never over irrigate.

Conclusion

Cacti make a perfect addition to the home garden whether you prefer large, tall, or smaller ones. Their beauty starts right from the stems all the way to the beautiful blooms that adorn your garden with the best color shades. Some can even produce delicious fruits that you can enjoy every time they appear.

The large cactuses can display stunted growth at the beginning, but they’ll eventually grow to full maturity and take their ideal size. Just make sure you mimic their natural habitats, and they won’t disappoint. They’re also perfect plants for beginner gardeners because they’re not too demanding in terms of care. Some can even survive neglect but still do well.

Cactus Plants to Add to Your Indoor Collection

 Few houseplants are better for novice indoor gardeners than hardy, low-maintenance cactus plants. Overall, the needs of cactus plants are simple: warm temperatures, bright light, and minimal water, although there are a few exceptions. Best of all, many varieties will reward proper care by blooming with cheery, brightly colored flowers.

Here are some of our favorite indoor cactus plants to add to your collection. And note: because many of these plants have sharp, painful spines, it's best to keep them far away from kids and pets and wear protective gear or use tongs when handling them directly.

Saguaro Cactus

Botanical Name: Carnegiea gigantea
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Succulent soil or cactus mix
Soil pH: 5.0-6.5

This is the iconic cactus we picture when we imagine Southwest desert landscapes. With the proper care, you can enjoy them for many years to come.

Water your saguaro sparingly—once per month, allowing the soil to fully dry out between waterings—and give it as much bright, direct sunlight as possible. Take it outdoors to soak up the full sun in the spring and summer once night temperatures have warmed above 60 degrees.

 

African Milk Tree

Botanical Name: Euphorbia trigona

Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Soil Type: Cactus or succulent potting mix

Soil pH: 6.1-7.8

While not a true cactus, the eye-catching African milk tree is tall and spiny like cacti. In reality, this plant is a fast-growing succulent that's also very easy to propagate. Look for the Rubra or Royal Red cultivars for a splash of deep burgundy color along with the usual dark green.

 

Barrel Cactus

Botanical Name: Echinocactus and Ferrocactus

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Soil Type: Cactus or succulent mix

Soil pH: 6.1-7.5

Barrel cacti are actually a wide variety of squat, spiny cactus species in the genera Echinocactus and Ferrocactus. These cute, round specimens come with different-colored spines—golden barrel cactus features bright yellow spines, for example.

 

PricklyCactus Pear 

Botanical Name: Opuntia

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Soil Type: Cactus or succulent mix

Soil pH: 6.0-7.5

The same paddle-shaped cacti that bear brightly colored, edible fruits when grown outdoors can also thrive as houseplants in the right conditions. Put them in a brightly lit window with a southern or western exposure so they can soak up as much direct sunlight as possible—without enough light, the pads will grow long and skinny rather than wide and full.

 Dwarf Chin Cactus

Botanical Name: Gymnocalycium baldianum
Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light or part shade
Soil Type: Cactus or succulent mix
Soil pH: 5-7

Also called spider cactus, this round, low-growing species is native to Argentina. With a squat, slightly flattened stem, it's less spiny than other cactus types and mostly known for its showy, brightly colored flowers in shades of white, red, pink, purple, or orange.

This plant differs slightly from the others on this list in that it needs protection from direct sunlight and prefers a little more water—give it a soaking every couple of weeks or when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Old Man Cactus

Botanical Name: Cephalocereus senilis
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Cactus or succulent mix
Soil pH: 6.1-6.5

These bulbous green stems get their common name because they're covered in white, hairlike fuzz. They can grow up to 20 feet tall in the wild, and as houseplants, you can keep them contained in a small, unglazed terracotta pot to manage their size.

Give them as much sun as you can, and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Keep an eye out for pests like scale and mealybugs, which can be difficult to see because of the plant's fuzzy white hair.

Ladyfinger Cactus

Botanical Name: Mammillaria elongata

Sun Exposure: Full to part sun

Soil Type: Cactus or succulent mix

Soil pH: 6.1-6.5

Native to Mexico, this spiny cactus gets its common name from its long, finger-like growths. As with other cacti, plant your ladyfinger cactus in gritty, well-draining potting mix, and only water sparingly every few weeks once the soil has completely dried out to avoid root rot.

Christmas Cactus

Botanical Name: Schlumbergera

Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Soil Type: Rich, well-drained potting mix

Soil pH: 5.5 - 6.2

Rather than a hot, dry desert, Christmas cactus (and its relatives, Thanksgiving cactus and Easter cactus) is native to the jungles of Brazil, so its care needs are a little different than many of the cacti on this list.

Keep the soil slightly moist during the spring and summer growing season, allowing it to dry out a bit more between waterings in the winter. While it prefers warmer temperatures during the growing season, keep it in a cool place (55 to 65 degrees) with at least 13 hours of darkness each day once the plant sets buds.

 

Bishop's Cap Cactus

Botanical Name: Astrophytum myriostigma

Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Soil Type: Cactus or succulent mix

Soil pH: 6.0

This Mexican native gets its common name from its squat, star-like stem that resembles a bishop's uniquely shaped hat. While it doesn't have showy spines, this cactus does have an extended bloom period with a crown of brightly colored flowers in the right conditions.

Young specimens can't handle as much bright light, so keep them in bright, indirect light or dappled light until they mature. Because these plants prefer poor, rocky soil, they don't need to be fertilized.

Angel Wing Cactus

Botanical Name: Opuntia microdasys

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Soil Type: Cactus or succulent soil

Soil pH: 6.0-7.5

Also called bunny ears cactus for its long, ovular leaves studded with fuzzy bristles, angel wing cactus is actually a species of prickly pear cactus. It loves hot, dry, sunny conditions, so choose a warm, brightly lit window with a south or west-facing exposure to give it the desert-like conditions it needs to thrive.

Be sure to handle this plant with tongs or special gloves, because even though they're small, their tiny, painful spines will stick to your skin.

Tall Indoor Plants

 No design element makes a statement in your home quite like a tall, lush potted plant. Tall indoor plants can serve as the focal point for a room, add a pop of verdant color, and lend a tropical, jungle-like vibe to a space. Whether you’re looking for a towering indoor tree or a more compact specimen that can add dramatic height to a smaller space, there’s a tall houseplant to fit your needs.

Read on for favorite tall indoor floor plants that can grow to great heights in your home.

1-Fiddle-Leaf Fig

• Botanical Name: Ficus lyrata
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light, and some direct sun
• Soil Type: Well-draining indoor potting mix
• Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0

There’s a reason this trendy ficus is so sought after, even years after it first became all the rage. With their attractive, deep-green foliage and ability to grow eight to 10 feet tall, fiddle-leaf figs simply demand attention. These plants need lots of bright light and grow up rather than out, so choose a spot to display them near a sunny window in a high-ceilinged space. Avoid making sudden changes to its environment in terms of light or temperature, or else it may drop its leaves.

2-Rubber Plant

• Botanical Name: Ficus elastica
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: Fast-draining, all-purpose potting mix
• Soil pH: 6.0

This easy-growing houseplant with long, glossy leaves has long been used to add elegance to indoor spaces. Rubber plants grow quickly—in just a few years, they can reach up to 10 feet in height—so plan accordingly as you choose a spot to display them. They’re less finicky than their fiddle leaf fig cousins and have the ability to adapt to brightly lit or lower-light spaces, although you’ll want to choose a brighter spot to get faster growth. Rubber plants need to be watered thoroughly, but be careful of overwatering to avoid yellowing and dropping leaves.

3-Bird of Paradise

• Botanical Name: Strelitzia reginae
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: Well-draining potting mix
• Soil pH: 5.5 to 7.5

With the right amount of light and a little TLC, this stunning flowering tropical can grow as tall as five feet indoors, with long, blade-like leaves that can reach three or four feet in length. Bird of paradise plants need full sun to really thrive—at least five hours of it each day—so display them near a large, bright window. Choose a mature specimen, and with lots of light, regular fertilizer, and moist soil, it will reward you with its distinctive orange and blue flowers to brighten up your space. 

4-Weeping Fig

• Botanical Name: Ficus benjamina
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light, and some direct sun
• Soil Type: Rich, fast-draining potting mix
• Soil pH: 6.0 to 6.5

Another member of the ficus family, the weeping fig is a classic option for an indoor tree thanks to its full and attractive greenery, low-maintenance care needs, and tolerance for low-light environments. Specimens grown as houseplants can grow up to six feet tall or more indoors with a good source of bright, indirect light nearby. Leaves can range in color from dark green to pale yellow and cream. Be sure to keep your weeping fig's soil moist but not soggy, fertilize regularly, and prune back branches that are coming into contact with walls or ceilings.

5-Money Tree

• Botanical Name: Pachira aquatica
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: Well-draining, sandy peat-moss soil
• Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5

Want to add some green to your space and maybe even your wallet? Money trees—not to be confused with Chinese money plant, or Pilea peperomioides—are said to bring luck and financial fortune to their caretakers. Even without that supposed boost to your bank account, these jungle plants will add cheerful greenery to your space and can grow up to six feet tall indoors. You'll often see them with several stems braided together, which is done in the nursery before the stalks become hard and woody. Since money trees do well with good humidity and bright, indirect light, they’re ideal to display in a well-lit bathroom. 

6-Umbrella Plant

• Botanical Name: Schefflera actinophylla
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: Fast-draining commercial soil
• Soil pH: 6 to 6.5

Also known as schefflera, umbrella plant’s drooping leaflets, arranged in a circle around a central stem, look a lot like its namesake. While indoor specimens don’t typically flower, this plant can grow up to 10 feet tall indoors; if need be, you can prune back the tops of the tallest stems to encourage fuller, bushier growth. Umbrella plants need lots of bright light, and it’s a good idea to rotate yours occasionally to help it grow evenly. 

 

7-Monstera

• Botanical Name: Monstera deliciosa
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: Well-drained potting mix
• Soil pH: 5.5 to 7.0

Trendy, attractive monstera are the perfect accent piece for any open indoor space. These lush specimens can reach eight feet in height indoors; their deeply notched, heart-shaped leaves can grow as wide as two feet under the right conditions. They grow out as well as up, though, so make sure you're budgeting enough room around the plant for it to grow into. Monstera grow best in a space with lots of humidity, and although they can adapt to lower-light conditions, they need lots of bright, indirect light to grow to full size indoors. 

8-Parlor Palm

• Botanical Name: Chamaedorea elegans
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: Well-drained potting mix
• Soil pH: 5.1 to 7.5

These slow-growing dwarf palm trees will reach heights of up to four feet indoors, making them a great houseplant to add some drama in smaller or low-ceilinged rooms without outgrowing the space. With their ability to adapt to brighter or lower-light spots, you have lots of flexibility as you choose where to display your parlor palm. Make sure they have the jungle-like humidity they need to thrive by putting it in your bathroom or setting the pot on top of a tray of water with pebbles to elevate the bottom of the pot just above the waterline, which will moisten the air around your plant. 

9-African Milk Tree

• Botanical Name: Euphorbia trigona
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: Well-draining succulent soil
• Soil pH: 6.1 to 7.8

This succulent looks like a cactus, with thick stalks fringed with spikes and small leaves on three sides. Also known by its botanical name, Euphorbia trigonia, this plant gives off an attractive, desert-like vibe. Grown in a warm space with lots of bright, indirect light, African milk trees can grow up to eight feet tall indoors. Since they can become top-heavy, it’s a good idea to stake yours or cut back the tallest portions and propagate them into new plants.

 

10-Corn Plant

• Botanical Name: Dracaena fragrans
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: Well-draining potting soil
• Soil pH: 6 to 6.5

Looking for a tall, elegant plant to create a sunny, California-style vibe in your high-ceilinged space? The dracaena, known as corn plant or dragon tree, can grow up to 12 feet tall. With their long, woody stalks that grow all the way up to a clump of stripy, ribbon-like leaves on top, these plants mimic the look of tall, stately Los Angeles palm trees on a smaller scale. Your corn plant will grow best (and fastest) with lots of bright, indirect light, but they can adapt to spaces with less light, too. Corn plants are also pretty low-maintenance—they can tolerate underwatering, but not overwatering—and offer the added benefit of helping to clean the air of toxic chemicals.

11-Ficus Audrey

• Botanical Name: Ficus benghalensis
• Sun Exposure: Direct or bright indirect light
• Soil Type: Potting soil mix
• Soil pH: 6.5 to 7.0

It might look similar to a fiddle-leaf fig, but a Ficus Audrey is different. The profile is more sleek and streamlined with veined leaves. Note that although this an indoor plant, it can't tolerate low light. It does best with an abundance of natural light and moist soil.

12-Hibiscus Tree

• Botanical Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
• Sun Exposure: Direct
• Soil Type: Potting soil mix
• Soil pH: 6.5 to 6.8

No, this tropical tree isn't just for your yard—you can actually grow one indoors, too. Though you can keep it small with trimming, it can grow into a large, beautiful tree with time. Make sure to keep it in an area with plenty of sunlight and ensure the soil is moist but never wet.

13-Olive Tree

• Botanical Name: Olea europaea
• Sun Exposure: Direct
• Soil Type: Well-draining, loamy soil mix, like cactus or succulent soil
• Soil pH: 6.5 to 7.5

If you're terrible at remembering to water your plants, an olive tree is for you. Though you have to give it a good watering when you first bring it home, once it's well-established, you can move waterings to once a month. Note that you can't grow any actual olives if the plant is indoors, so you'll probably want to choose a non-fruiting variety.

14-Meyer Lemon Tree

• Botanical Name: Citrus limon x Meyeri
• Sun Exposure: Direct
• Soil Type: Potting soil mix
• Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5

While Meyer lemon trees do grow well indoors, you'll have to pollinate it by hand if you want to grow lemons. Alternatively, you can move it outdoors during the warm months. If you don't care about the fruit, you can enjoy the beautiful blooms indoors.

15-Ponytail Palm

• Botanical Name: Beaucarnea recurvata
• Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light
• Soil Type: Sandy soil mix, like a cacti and succulent soil
• Soil pH: 6.5 to 7.5

This plant isn't very fast-growing, but it can get very tall (up to 30 feet!), so have patience. It's native to Mexico and thrives on neglect, so it's perfect for those without a lot of time to tend to plants. It actually prefers dry soil, so you won't need to water much (especially in the winter).

16-Lemon Tree

• Botanical Name: Citrus limon
• Sun Exposure: Bright, direct light
• Soil Type: Lightweight, well-draining potting mix
• Soil pH: 5.5 – 6.5

Though lemon trees typically prefer to be outdoors, you can make it work indoors if you care for it properly. Make sure to increase your air humidity (a humidifier can help with this), let your tree sit outside every once in a while, give it plenty of water, and ensure it has a minimum of eight hours of sunlight a day.

17-Avocado Tree

• Botanical name: Persea americana
• Sun exposure: Full sun
• Soil type: Rich, well-draining potting mix
• Soil pH: 5.0 - 7.0

It's possible to grow a scaled-down avocado tree in your home. Though you can purchase a mature size from a nursery, you can also propagate your own! Save your next avocado pit and use it to grow a new plant.

18-Kentia Palm

• Botanical name: Howea forsteriana
• Sun exposure: Low to bright, indirect light
• Soil type: Well-draining potting mix
• Soil pH: 6.0 - 7.5

This palm is perfect for those looking for something low maintenance. It grows in low light, so no worries if your apartment has lots of dark corners. It also prefers to be on the dry side, so you can let the soil dry out a bit to avoid overwatering.