Uncover a variety of delightful small cactus options ideal for your pots or containers. From flowering specimens to those with a unique aesthetic, there’s a cactus for everyone. Join gardening connoisseur Melissa Strauss as she shares her top picks for small cactus plants that will elevate your container garden selection.
Within the realm of indoor plants, cacti reign supreme in terms of low maintenance care. These spiky companions boast a distinctive appearance, making them a popular choice even for the most forgetful plant owners. Interestingly, cacti predominantly thrive when given minimal attention.
Whether you seek a fuss-free houseplant for beginners or crave an indoor garden centerpiece, cacti cater to your requirements. These effortlessly maintained plants have garnered popularity for their aesthetic appeal, resilience, and air-purifying qualities.
Here we introduce 11 small cactus plants suitable for potting and enhancing indoor spaces, bringing a touch of nature closer to home. All they need is a sunny spot by a window!
Bunny Ears Cactus
This is a small cactus that has two more leaves on top of each leaf, reminiscent of bunny ears.
botanical name
Opuntia microdasys
bloom colors
Creamy Yellow
sun requirements
Full Sun in Summer/Part Sun in Winter
height
2-3 feet
hardiness zones
8-12
Boasting a charming name, the Bunny Ears Cactus exudes cuteness. Originating from Mexico, this cactus acquired its endearing title due to its paddle-like structure. Each leaf resembles the ears of a bunny, with two additional leaves sprouting atop.
This cactus thrives in sunlight, necessitating a location with at least 6-8 hours of daily exposure. It thrives with minimal watering and fares better when slightly under-watered rather than over-watered, preventing root rot.
While capable of blooming, the Bunny Ears Cactus rarely does so when confined to a pot setting. Flowers typically emerge in the early stages of growth.
Barrel Cactus
These springtime flowers are characterized by their pale-yellow, bowl-shaped appearance with a central ring of yellow stamens. Care must be taken when handling this cactus due to the presence of small white spots comprised of sharp spines that can cause discomfort if they come into contact with the skin.
Fairy Castle Cactus
The Fairy Castle Cactus, aptly named for its growth pattern reminiscent of a fairytale castle, features numerous thorns of varying sizes that grow upwards, forming a striking visual display. This slow-growing cactus can take up to a decade to reach its maximum height of 6 feet. It thrives in well-drained soil and benefits from ample sunlight for optimal growth. While it seldom blossoms indoors, under ideal conditions, it produces beautiful white flowers in the summer.
Fishbone Cactus
The Fishbone Cactus, showcased by its dark green, long, curved stems with serrated nodes, is a charming addition to any collection. With its distinctive zigzag pattern, this cactus is known for its yellow flowers that bloom in the late summer months. Providing the Fishbone Cactus with adequate care and a suitable environment will help it flourish and thrive.
botanical name Disocactus anguliger
bloom colors White, Yellow
sun requirements Full Sun to Part Shade
height 6 inches
hardiness zones 10-11
Known for its unique appearance, Disocactus anguliger is an epiphytic plant that thrives in low light conditions. Its air plant characteristics make it perfect for environments with high humidity and minimal direct sunlight exposure.
When displayed in a hanging pot, the zigzagging leaves of the Fishbone Cactus cascade beautifully. Paired with orchids, both plants can flourish together as they share similar climate preferences. Opting for orchid bark as a potting medium enhances the growth of the Fishbone Cactus.
During late summer, the Fishbone Cactus produces striking white or yellow blooms. To encourage blooming, expose the plant to cooler temperatures for a few weeks at the end of winter, as this temperature shift prompts bud formation.
Golden Barrel Cactus
The Golden Barrel Cactus is covered in long, pointed golden spines.
Preferred Bloom Colors Shades of Yellow
Ideal Sunlight Conditions Full Sun Exposure
Plant Height Average of 3 feet
Hardiness Zones Zones 8 to 10
With its ability to thrive in both potted environments and arid landscapes, the Golden Barrel is a versatile plant. It tends to form clustered mounds when allowed to grow freely, adding an intriguing visual element to gardens.
Referred to as the Old Lady Cactus or Mother-in-law’s Seat, this round cactus boasts golden spines on its squat frame. It flourishes in sunny, dry climates and requires minimal upkeep except for occasional watering.
Mature Golden Barrel plants under ample sunlight produce bright yellow flowers during summer, attracting pollinators. Once the flowers drop, they leave behind seed pods containing tiny red seeds.
Old Lady Cactus
This slow-growing cactus adorned with soft white hairs blooms with vibrant pink flowers.
Botanical Name Mammillaria hahniana
Bloom Colors Purplish Red Hues
Sun Needs Requires Full Sun
Sunlight Bright Indirect Sunlight
Height 10 inches
Hardiness Zones 11-13
Old Lady Cactus, with its soft, white hair-like appearance, conceals sharp spines within its gentle fuzz. This slow-growing cactus thrives in clusters, forming its own fuzzy family, eventually reaching dimensions of 4” tall and 5” wide.
During late spring, Old Lady Cactus adorns itself with a charming flower crown atop its head. Vibrant pink blooms emerge, sometimes encircling the crown entirely. This cactus prefers minimal watering, especially in the winter months and even during its growth season.
Epiphyllum oxypetalum, known as the Queen of the Night, is an epiphytic plant that blooms striking, fragrant flowers at night.
Queen of the Night is an epiphyte that blooms with large, showy, fragrant flowers at night.
Sun Requirements Partial Shade with Indirect Light
Height Up to 10 feet
hardiness zones
10-12
Queen of the Night, also called the Orchid Cactus, is a sought-after addition to any indoor plant collection due to its unique requirements and orchid-like characteristics. This cactus thrives best in environments resembling its natural epiphytic habitat, thriving in humid conditions while avoiding direct sunlight. Optimal lighting for this plant includes bright indirect sunlight, mimicking the filtered sunlight it would receive in its tree-dwelling habitat.
What sets these plants apart are their striking flowers. Queen of the Night captivates with large, fragrant, white blooms that appear in spring and summer. Interestingly, these flowers bloom only for a single night, releasing a delightful fragrance that signals their presence.
Rosy Pincushion
This plant is an adorable small, round cactus with thin white and long brown spines.
botanical name
Mammillaria zeilmanniana
bloom colors
Pale Pinkish Violet or Purple
sun requirements
Full Sun
height
5 inches
hardiness zones
10-11
Rosy Pincushion, a delightful cactus, is a favorite among plant enthusiasts for its frequent and year-round blooming tendencies. This small, round cactus adorned with both white and brown spines is a charming addition to any plant collection.
The Star Cactus is a delicate beauty, with its hooked spines intricately placed. Even though it may appear fragile, handling it with care is essential.
This succulent thrives in the right balance of sunlight and occasional fertilization, making it a prolific bloomer even when cultivated indoors. Its flowers, usually pink, red, or white, form a mesmerizing crown-like display around the plant.
The microscopic Star Cactus, also known as the Sand Dollar Cactus or Sea Urchin Cactus, bears a striking resemblance to its oceanic namesakes in both shape and size. Its round, segmented structure, along with its patterns, closely mimic that of sea urchins.
Despite lacking traditional spines, this cactus sports small clusters of wooly white hairs on its ribs. It grows slowly and may take years to bloom, rewarding patient growers with exquisite singular flowers in shades of yellow, pink, and red, with occasional surprises of vibrant orange blooms.
The Thanksgiving Cactus, a charming addition to any collection, showcases its unique beauty as well.
Thanksgiving Cactus blooms in the fall with charming large flowers in red, pink, white, or yellow.
botanical name Schlumbergera truncata
bloom colors Red, Purple, Oranges, Pinks and Creams
sun requirements Part Sun, Light Shade
height 12 inches
hardiness zones 10-12
The Thanksgiving Cactus often gets confused with the Christmas Cactus due to their similarities. However, this plant blooms profusely during fall, usually near the Thanksgiving holiday. It thrives in moderately humid conditions and enjoys exposure to gentle, filtered sunlight all day long. Originating from the rainforests of Brazil, it showcases long, leafless stems with a weeping form. The tips of these stems produce buds that open into captivating, large flowers in shades of red, pink, white, or yellow, making it an attractive addition to hanging baskets.
Torch Cactus
This resilient plant bears striking crimson flowers and favors bright, indirect light conditions.
Botanical Name
Sedum morganianum
Bloom Colors
Blue-green to silvery
Sun Requirements
Partial sun
Height
Varies
Hardiness Zones
9-11
Burro’s Tail, or Sedum morganianum, is a delightful succulent known for its trailing stems adorned with small, silvery blue-green leaves that resemble hanging tails. This plant thrives in partial sun conditions and offers a beautiful display of colors ranging from blue-green to silvery hues.
When aiming for optimal growth and potential flower production, ensuring the plant receives sufficient sunlight is essential. Whether indoors or outdoors, providing the right balance of light is crucial to the overall health and appearance of Burro’s Tail succulents.
Final Thoughts
Here’s an array of unique succulents to consider which can create a mesmerizing touch to your space. From bloom colors to sun requirements, each succulent variety comes with its own charm and care needs. So, let’s dive into the fascinating world of these delightful plants!
bloom colors Pink to Deep Red
sun requirements Full Sun
height 1-4 feet
hardiness zones 10-11
Discover the Burro’s Tail, a succulent reminiscent of a cactus with a twist. While not a cactus per se, its trailing beauty will grace your space just like a cactus. Awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society, this plant promises a touch of uniqueness and joy in cultivation.
Embrace the cascading allure of Burro’s Tail with its elegantly stacked leaves encircling the stem in a tail-like appearance. Thriving on neglect, they store water in their hanging tails, granting them resilience in various care conditions.
Cultivate Burro’s Tail in a generous hanging basket to allow its trailing stems ample space to flourish. While averse to freezing temperatures, the plant thrives outdoors during warmer spells, enhancing its chances of vibrant blooming in summer, with striking deep pink pendulous flowers adorning its tails.
James is an environmental gardener and passionate writer who holds a master's degree in agriculture. He graduated from Harvard University with a degree in environmental horticulture and has a particular interest in soil composition. Currently, James works as a researcher in plant research, where he continues to explore and advance knowledge in his field. His combined expertise in environmental gardening and soil science helps him contribute valuable insights to both academic and practical gardening communities.
James is an environmental gardener and passionate writer who holds a master's degree in agriculture. He graduated from Harvard University with a degree in environmental horticulture and has a particular interest in soil composition. Currently, James works as a researcher in plant research, where he continues to explore and advance knowledge in his field. His combined expertise in environmental gardening and soil science helps him contribute valuable insights to both academic and practical gardening communities.
