Winter Hardy Cactus

Prickly Pear

• Hardy through U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 4, hardy prickly pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa) is recommended for use in northern gardens by Michigan State University Extension. Prickly pear cactus forms a prostrate plant about 10 inches high, spreading about 18 inches wide. The roughly oval pads sport brown hairs and produce 2- to 3-inch, yellow flowers, which in turn produce inedible, 1-inch, red fruits.

Elephant's tooth

• Hardy to minus 3 degrees F in USDA zone 6, elephant's tooth cactus (Coryphantha elephantidens) is a large, depressed-globular cactus. Each head is about 7 inches wide with very large thorns emerging in a star-shaped pattern from the top of each tubercle. White or pink, 2- to 3-inch, fragrant flowers bloom in late summer or early fall.

Mountain Ball

• With a large number of varieties in the species, mountain ball cactus (Pediocactus simpsonii) usually grows as a single plant, although it sometimes grows in clusters. Its tubercles are arranged spirally with the spines on their tips. The spines, arranged radially, nearly obscure the tubercles. Blooming in spring, flowers are small and bell-shaped in pink, magenta or straw-yellow. They are hardy to minus 25 degrees F, corresponding to USDA hardiness zone 4.

Missouri Pincushion

• Botanically synonymous with more than 10 different cacti, Missouri pincushion, (Escobaria missouriensis) is also referred to as Neobesseya wissmanni or N. similis, among others. It is a low-growing, rounded, ball-type cactus, covered with radial spines. It produces yellow flowers at the tops of the rounded stems. It is named for the Missouri river, along which it is found growing as far north as USDA hardiness zone 4.

Lace

• Usually growing as a single cylindrical cactus, but sometimes producing branches, lace cactus (Echinocereus reichenbachii) survives winter through USDA hardiness zone 4. It needs more moisture than true desert cacti do, but is also sensitive to over watering, so ensure it has very well-drained soil. The giant flowers, which bloom in May and June, are hot pink-purple and highly fragrant.