10 Stunning Outdoor Cactus Plants Ideal for Your Garden

By Calin Oancea and Florin Gabriel

4/18/20246 min read

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.

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two outdooor cacti in a garden
two outdooor cacti in a garden
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a tall cactus plant in a greenhouse at daytime
a tall cactus plant in a greenhouse at daytime

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.

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four barrel cactus plants in a outdoor garden with stones
four barrel cactus plants in a outdoor garden with stones

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.

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a cactus plant in a pot around outside vegetation
a cactus plant in a pot around outside vegetation

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.

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a cactus plant with a red flower and white spines
a cactus plant with a red flower and white spines

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.

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C Rat Tail Cactus with a flower on a rock
C Rat Tail Cactus with a flower on a rock

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.

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a dark green Columnar Cactus with few spines in an outdoor desert
a dark green Columnar Cactus with few spines in an outdoor desert

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.

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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.

a tall Saguaro Cactus growing alone in the desert
a tall Saguaro Cactus growing alone in the desert
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an outdoor Agave Americana with large leaves
an outdoor Agave Americana with large leaves

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.

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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.

two green outdoor Yucca cactus plants
two green outdoor Yucca cactus plants
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a Old Man Cactus plant in a pot around other outdoor plants
a Old Man Cactus plant in a pot around other outdoor plants

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.

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Sources

Nature and Sustainability uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies to support the facts we describe in our articles. Please read our editorial policy to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Yucca: Yucca harrimaniae | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (ncsu.edu)

  2. Barrel Cactus: Barrel cactus - Wikipedia

  3. Organ Pipe Cactus: Stenocereus thurberi - Wikipedia

  4. Saguaro Cactus: Saguaro Cactus - Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

  5. Turk's Cap Cactus: Melocactus - Wikipedia

  6. Acanthocereus Tetragonus: Acanthocereus tetragonus – Wikipedia

  7. Agave Ameriacana (Agave): Agave | Definition, Uses, & Facts | Britannica

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Calin Oancea
Calin Oancea
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Article By:

Calin has been in the garden industry for 5 years and knows a lot about gardening and plants. He owns this website and is responsible for most of the content.

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Florin, a more technical guy, is responsible for designing, reviewing updating the articles but also optimizing for SEO so that everything we publish is deam good.