The 8 Most Interesting African Cactus Plants
These african cactus plants offer more than just their striking appearance; they bring resilience and an exotic touch to any collection.
But keep in mind that there are not really cactus species that are native to Africa as almost all of the species are native to the southwestern America or South America but there are cacti that thrive well in the African climates and grow there.
In this helpful no fluff article, we ill reveal the top 8 Aftican cacti we saw and inspected handsomely.
The Namibian Dollar Plant, commonly known as the Jade Plant, can reach sizes of 1-2 m (3-6.5 ft). It's an African succulent that thrives in the same conditions as African cacti, its fleshy, coin leaves make it look almost like the Elephant Bush. This plant requires bright light and occasional watering, making it a prosperous feature in indoor cactus gardens.
Namibian Dollar Pant
Spiral Cactus
Although not a true cactus, the Spiral Cactus grows in a distinctive spiral shape up to 30 cm (12 in) in diameter, like most traditional American cacti. This rare succulent prefers a sunny location and well-draining soil similar to the Elephant Bush. Its mesmerizing spiral pattern and resilience make it a nice addition to any collection of African cacti.
Elephant Bush
After seeing and inspecting the Elephant Bush which is a succulent shrub, growing up to 1-2 m (3-6.5 ft) in height we loved it because if its interesting look and easy care. Its an African succulent known for its small, round leaves and thick stems that resemble a miniature tree which is often found in South Africa. Ideal for bright, sunny spots with occasional watering.
Baseball Plant
Resembling a ball, this African cactus that is tiny stands at a compact height of 20 cm (8 in) tall. The Baseball Plant is drought-resistant, needing full sun and minimal watering, characteristic of African cacti. Its geometric shape and stripes give the relatively low maintenance succulent cactus the look of a baseball.
Mother of Thousands has fleshy, blue-green leaves that grow upright and bear tiny plantlets along their edges, which fall off and easily take root in surrounding soil. This African cactus plant is fascinating not only for its reproductive strategy but also for its ability to thrive in dry conditions, making it a popular choice for low-maintenance succulent collections.
Mother of Thousands
African Milk Tree
African Milk Tree, also known as the cathedral cactus, has a striking, upright growth habit with deep green, segmented branches accented by lighter green lines. After carefully inspecting it we experienced that it is adorned with small leaves and spines along the edges, ideal for indoor or warm-climate gardens and of course ideal for Africas climate.
The Karoo Rose, reaching just 10 cm (4 in) tall, is a rare and very small succulent cactus. It requires a bright environment and minimal water, similar to the Baseball Cactus Plant and other cacti on this list, to mimic the arid African landscapes it thrives in. Its leaves form a small cactus flower, blooming with white or yellow flowers that add beauty to its robust form.
Karoo Rose
Pickle Plant
This quirky succulent can be identified by its color spines and size, it grows to 45 cm (18 in) tall and resembles a pickle with its elongated, green, bumpy stems. We found that the Pickle Plant favors a sunny spot and occasional watering. The African cactus plantblooms with purple cactus flowers, which add vibrant color to its unique appearance.
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.
African Milk Tree: African Milk Tree Care Guide: How to Grow an African Milk Tree - 2024 - MasterClass
Elephant Bush: Elephant Bush, Portulacaria afra – Wisconsin Horticulture
Pickle Plant: How to Care for the Quirky Pickle Plant (ruralsprout.com)
Baseball Plant: Euphorbia obesa - Wikipedia
Karoo Rose: Lapidaria margaretae - Wikipedia
Namibian Dollar Plant: How to Care for Jade Plants: Indoor Growing Guide (thespruce.com)
Mother of Thousands: How to Grow and Care for Mother of Thousands (thespruce.com)
Share this article:
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.
Reviewed By:
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.