Types of Flowers in the Cactus Family

Crab Cactus (Epiphyllum truncatum)

• Crab cacti have stems that are flat like crab claws when young, then become round and woody as they mature. Small, elongated flowers in yellow, white, purple, or various shades of red appear in late winter. Crab cacti require soil made of equal parts of fibrous loam, leaf-mould (humus), and sand. For drainage, add finely broken charcoal or broken bricks to the bottom of the planter. These plants require watering once per month or when the soil appears to be dry. Crab cacti can be grown indoors in cold areas, in pots or hanging baskets. In warmer regions they can be planted outdoors in pots.

Night Bloom Cereus (Hylocereus undatus)

• Night bloom cereus, as its name suggests, blooms only at night. It requires more water than most cacti; the soil should not be allowed to dry out. To assist the cactus in flower development, withhold water for four weeks, beginning in February. Resume watering in March, and the plant will flower for six to eight weeks. Night bloom cereus' soil requirement is two parts sand to one part loam to one part peat moss. Monthly fertilization with cactus fertilizer is strongly recommended.

Bishop's Cap (Astrophytum myriostigma)

• Bishop's cap (also known as star cactus) flowering cacti form flattened globe-like plants with five to six ribs joined together to form a peak. As the plants mature, the shape will become more columnar. In the summer, pale yellow blooms, approximately 2 to 3 inches in diameter, appear at and around the peak. This cactus requires a lot of sun and mineral compost that is well drained. Bishop's cap has a very low water requirement, once every six weeks or when the soil has dried out. Over-watering will cause root rot to develop.

Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii)

• Christmas cactus is a popular house plant that is easy to care for and has a long life span. They are often passed on to other generations. To produce flowers, they require indirect sunlight during the spring and summer and direct sunlight in the fall and winter. The soil needs to remain damp; it should not be allowed to dry out as the buds will drop. It needs well-drained fibrous soil.

Orchid Cactus (phyllocactus Ackermannii)

• Orchid cactus is a late-winter or early-spring-blooming cactus. Scarlet red and light pink flowers that can be up to 6 inches in diameter form at the ends of the flat stems. These cacti can grow as high as 3 feet. They are related to the Christmas cactus, but their growth is similar to night blooming cereus. They will grow in full shade and in direct sunlight. They require watering once per month to prevent the soil from completely drying out. A general-purpose cactus soil mix would provide sufficient growth medium. Orchid cacti require fertilization every two weeks with cactus fertilizer.