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.
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