Information on Strawflower Cactus Plants

Feature

• When flowers bloom naturally on a cactus, they only last for a few days. So growers will often glue or pin dried strawflowers onto the cacti to attract buyers. These flowers will "bloom" for months and do not harm the cactus. Attempting to remove a glued strawflower may mar the appearance of the plant.

Appearance

• Strawflowers come in vivid hues of orange, yellow and pink. While dead, they still retain their unusual ability to open and close based on humidity, which gives added visual interest to the cactus. Unlike true cactus flowers, however, they feel dried and papery.

Care

• Cactus plants with strawflowers attached have the same care requirements as other cacti. They need bright sunlight and a warm, dry climate. Water the plants whenever the soil dries out. A slow-release fertilizer is recommended in the spring or applying a 5-10-5 fertilizer in the spring, summer and fall.