10 Stunning Outdoor Cactus Plants Ideal for Your Garden
With unique forms and vibrant blooms, these amazing cacti transform your outside space into a captivating but also easy-care space.
We have searched for the best exterior cacti based on popularity, care, blooms, growth, and look for a bunch of time and finally picked the top 10.
Today we will reveal the 10 best outdoor cactus plants to inspire you and elevate your garden space that we have inspected carefully and gathered real experience with.
Organ Pipe Cactus
Native to the warm regions of southern and central Mexico, this high cactus reaches a striking height of 4.9-6.1 meters (16-20 feet). Its stems are gray-green and the ideal, watering time frame in the growing phase for the Organ Pipe Cactus which is scientifically known for Stenocereus thurberi is once per week and in the dormant period about every 4 to 6 weeks.
Barrel Cactus
The Barrel Cactus with multiple ribs with white thorns is sturdy and grows up to 25cm (10in) in open-air spaces while some species can grow up to 3 m (9.8 ft) in certain regions. It’s a minimalist but also an inside cactus with a symmetrical shape. We saw that it is best to place it in a bright spot and water correctly.
Acanthocereus Tetragonus
The whimsically named Peanut Cactus is a branching variety that creates miniature castle-like structures as it grows. It's a slow grower, but over time this tall cactus can reach heights of up to 1.8 meters (6 feet). During the summer, it surprises you with large, white, night-blooming cactus flowers that add a touch of magic to your outdoor spacees.
Turk's Cap Cactus
The Turk's Cap Cactus, named for its distinctive cap-like fruiting structure, is a compact flowering cactus for smaller outdoor garden spaces. Growing to a modest height of 30cm to 60cm (1ft to 2ft), it's a low-maintenance plant requiring well-draining cactus soil and plenty of sunshine.
Rat Tail Cactus
The long stems of the Rat Tail Cactus make it a perfect choice for hanging baskets. Growing up to 0.9m (3ft) long, it brings a dramatic flair to interiors and exteriors especially when its cactus flowers bloom. Position it high to enjoy its cascading beauty while its suited for interiors and exteriors.
Columnar Cactus
The Columnar Cactus is a tall cactus plant with a commanding presence. It can reach towering heights of over 3 meters (10 feet), providing an architectural element to your garden. This easy-to-grow cactus requires full sun and minimal watering, embodying the essence of desert beauty.
Saguaro Cactus
The iconic Saguaro Cactus, a native to the American Southwest, can stretch skywards to over stunning 12 meters (40 feet). Similar to the Columnar Cactus, its towering presence, coupled with a lifespan extending into hundreds of years, makes it not just a type of low maintenance cactus, but a silent, enduring witness to the passage of time in the desert landscapes of Arizona, Sonora, and California.
Agave Americana
Agave Americana, often known as the Century Plant, brings a modern touch to outside landscapes with its rosette of thick, fleshy leaves. While it can grow up to 1.8 meters (6 feet) tall, it’s the spectacular flower stalk, reaching over mindblowing 3 meters (10 feet), that steals the show. This sun-loving plant is a robust choice for a stylish garden.
Yucca
After growing Yucca multiple times ourselves we experienced that it is an amazing tropical plant to add a tropical and exotic vibe to your garden with its long sword leaves and towering white flower spikes. Growing up to 3 meters (10 feet) tall, Yuccas are low maintenance cactus plants that prefer sunny spots and a bit of neglect, making them perfect for a hassle-free garden with a tropical vibe.
Old Man Cactus
With its hair-like spines, the Old Man Cactus is unique and has a funny name related to its look. Growing up to 0.9 m (3 ft), it enjoys sunny spots. It’s not only a visual delight but also an easy-going and low-care cactus for outdoor and indoor cactus gardens.
Sources
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Yucca: Yucca harrimaniae | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (ncsu.edu)
Barrel Cactus: Barrel cactus - Wikipedia
Organ Pipe Cactus: Stenocereus thurberi - Wikipedia
Saguaro Cactus: Saguaro Cactus - Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Turk's Cap Cactus: Melocactus - Wikipedia
Acanthocereus Tetragonus: Acanthocereus tetragonus – Wikipedia
Agave Ameriacana (Agave): Agave | Definition, Uses, & Facts | Britannica
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