39 Amazing Blooming Cactus Varieties You Should Know

Cactus belong to the family Cactaceae, and they are flowering plants. There are about 139 genera and 2000 species included in the cactus family. In this article I am going to describe blooming cactus varieties in detail.

Many cacti are native to North and South America, Columbia etc. Cactus are known as perennial succulent plants.   

Blooming Cactus

There is a cactus which would have light green to dark green foliage along with shades of gray and almost blue. Cactus flowers are bloom in different colors. You could categorize blooming cactus based on their colors and distinguish textures.  

Pink blooming cactus

01. Spider cactus (Gymnocalycium oehnanthemum x horstii)

Spider cactus’s scientific name is Gymnocalycium oehnanthemum x horstii. You could expect them to bloom during the summer season. These are a stumpy cactus type which consists of unique curly spines.  You could spot their flowers in pink.

They are somewhat larger in size too. This is a well known blooming cactus variety. Spider cactus are hailing from Argentina. They usually comprise a sphere which is flattened a bit. They would further consist of radial spines as well. It is famous as an indoor growing houseplant.

Blooming cactus

Mammillaria Cactus

Mammillaria Cactus produce flowers during the summer season. These cactus are globe in shape and consist of spines. Their flowers on the other hand, resemble a bell shape.

Those flowers would be bright pink – purple in color. These cacti are endemic to Mexico. You could grow these cacti as indoor grown house plants. Here are some Mammillaria Cactus varities.

03. Spiny Pincushion Cactus

Mammillaria spinosissima  is the scientific name of the Spiny Pincushion Cactus. There are native to Mexico. They make funnel-shaped blooms during the month of spring. In addition to that, you could spot them producing a cluster of columnar stems.

The stems would also form in a spherical way. This blooming cactus flower in pink color. This would be a great pick for an indoor garden. They further consist of a central spine which could be either red-brown or yellow. 

Blooming cactus

04. Mammillaria dasyacantha Cactus 

Mammillaria dasyacantha Cactus flower during the summer season. They have coated in wool like spines. Further spines would be white in color.

When they bloom, you could spot them in pink. Moreover, those pink flowers would carry a yellow center too. That is something special about this cactus. These are endemic plants in Mexico. You could grow them as indoor plants.

Blooming cactus

05. Mammillaria Polyedra Cactus

Mammillaria polyedra bloom during summer and in winter. Initially they resume growing as an Individual plant and later on tend to grow into clusters.

You could grow this plant in combination with other plants. This blooming cactus will produce small flowers. Those blooms would be red, pink in color. These cactus are endemic to the southern part of Mexico. Many people tend to grow these cacti as houseplants.

Blooming cactus

06. Mammillaria laui Cactus

Mammillaria laui dasyacantha is the scientific name of this cacti. You could spot them Flowering in Summer. It tends to grow in a compact manner. They comprise central spines. When you touch them, you feel they are soft to the touch.

When blooming cactus flower, you could spot them blooming with relatively larger sized flowers compared to the cactus size. The colors of their blooms would be pink in color. These cacti are also endemic to Tamaulipas state in Mexico. This is an endangered plant species. It is usually known as an indoor grown plant.

Blooming cactus

07. Twin-Spine Cactus

Twin-Spine Cactus scientific name is Mammillaria geminispina. Chances are that you could spot blooming cactus flowering in the summer season. This is a variety which tends to show a rounded and mounding shape. Further they would consist of spines.

Those spines would be silver in color. In addition to that you could spot them flowering in pink and carmine. This is regarded as a cacti which could bloom vigorously Twin spine cactus is native in central Mexico.  

Twin spine could be handy in using as an indoor plant. It could take about 7-8 years to form blooms. Further they could produce a fruit in red too.

Blooming cactus

08. Old Lady Cactus

Old lady cactus’ scientific name is Mammillaria hahniana. They would further consist of spines, and they would be white in color. This is an easy to grow cactus. You could spot them blooming during the spring season.

These blooming cactus flower would be either pink or purple. Old lady cactus is hailing from Mexico. They would consist of stems which would grow in a spherical manner. This is known as an indoor grown plant.  They produce flowers which are funnel shaped.

Blooming cactus

09. Dwarf Turk’s Cap Cactus

Melocactus matanzanus is the scientific name of Dwarf Turk’s cap cactus.  They may start flowering in the spring season and in the summer season. Dwarf cactus are endemic to Cuba. This is a cactus which is going extinct and an endangered plant. They are a tiny variety of cactus and relatively slow rowers too.

Further blooming cactus would comprise copper hued spines as well. When they bloom, you could spot them blooming in pink. You could grow these dwarf cacti as indoor plants too. This whole cactus usually looks like a globose.

Blooming cactus

10. Powder Puff Cactus

The Botanical Name of the Powder puff cactus is Parodia nivosa. Powder puff cactus originates from Argentina. Further they would carry a stem in pale green or in bright green color.  Summer is their blooming season. It is a relatively tiny version of cactus.

Further blooming cactus would consist of spines also. You may spot those spines in white. When they bloom, you may spot the flowers in bright red to orange in color. The flowers of powder puff cactus would look funnel shaped. You could grow them as indoor plants. they may come up with tiny fruit as well.

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Blooming cactus

11. Aylostera Cactus

Rebutia narvaecensis is what is scientifically called the Aylostera cactus. During the spring season, you could spot them blooming. When they bloom, they tend to make pink flowers and they are somewhat larger in size too. It is a treat to watch them when they bloom.

These blooming cactus are special as they could form seed which could produce attractive clumping groups. This is a well-known cactus for flowering. You could grow this as an indoor plant. Their flowers could last for a longer period, and they appear to be funnel shaped.

They also make fruits which look like globos. These cacti are native plants in Argentina.

Blooming cactus

12. Chin Cactus

Gymnocalycium neuhuberi is the scientific name of the chin cactus. It is a South American native species. Their flowering season would be usually in either spring or in summer. Furthermore, those flowers carry a scent too.

You could spot their flowers either in pale white or in lilac. Their blooms would last for about 12 days. These blooming cactus are known as indoor grown plants. Their flowers would be funnel shaped.  Moreover, chances are that they will form egg shaped fruits too.

Blooming cactus

13. Christmas Cactus

Schlumbergera bridgesii is the scientific name of the Christmas cactus. You could spot them blooming in the late winter season in fall and in the spring season too. When they bloom, they will make flowers in red or in pink.

Many people tend to use this blooming cactus as a gift item too. It is a perfectly fitting plant indoors. They would love to grow under excess light as that will stimulate the flowering of them. This is hailing from South America. They consist of a small round shaped stem. You could spot the blooming taking place around these ends.

Blooming cactus

14. Easter Cactus

Hatiora Gaertneri  is the scientific name of the Easter cactus. You may spot the Easter cactus flowering in the early spring season. They would make an attractive plant whether they bloom or not. When they bloom, they produce flowers in red, white peach colors.

This is a famous indoor grown house plant. These blooming cactus are related to Christmas cactus. Easter cactus found native in Brazil. You could spot their spines usually growing whilst stacking on top of each other. That makes the plant more attractive.

Blooming cactus

15. Thanksgiving cactus

Thanksgiving cactus’ scientific name is Schlumbergera truncata. Crab cactus is another name which you could use to call them commonly. Usually, they would prefer to have colder temperatures for them to grow properly. You could grow these cacti both  outdoors and indoors as well. Thanksgiving cactus are hailing from Brazil.

You could spot blooming cactus blooming in fall. They would produce flowers of numerous colors and would consist of red-orange shades. You could identify these cacti by looking at their stems as they usually resemble crab’s claws.

Blooming cactus

16. Beavertail Cactus 

Optunia basilaris is the scientific name of Beavertail cactus. During spring and in summer you may spot them blooming in dark cherry pink blooms. What is more special about these cactus flowers is that they contain a fragrance of a watermelon.

These are relatively slow growing cactus types. It contains gray-blue pads, and they resemble beaver tails once fully grown. Flowers would form on those pads. They tend to grow as clumps and grow trunkless. These blooming cactus are originating from California and in Arizona.

Blooming cactus

17. Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus

Echinocereus Engelmanii is the scientific name of the strawberry Hedgehog cactus. They usually bloom in the summer season. Purple torch and saint’s cactus are some of the common names of this cactus.

Chances are that you could spot blooming cactus blooming in tubular magenta to pale, pink-colored blooms. These plants are hailing from America and in Mexico. They are slow growing cactus types too. they would consist of cylindrical shaped stems which you could spot in light green.

Their blooms would last for about five days. They would further consist of shades of pink shades. You could grow them as indoor plants. They could further produce spherical shaped fruit too.

Blooming cactus

18. Rat Tail Cactus

Rat tail cactus‘ scientific name would be Aporocactus flagelliformis. You could spot them flowering in either spring or in summer. These blooming cactus usually comprise a long trailing stem. When they flower, you could expect them to bloom in tubular shaped violet, red colored flowers.

You could further expect them to carry pink or orange shades too. Many people tend to grow this as a houseplant too. Rat tail cactus is hailing from Mexico. You could spot them growing as an ornamental plant as well. You could consider growing them outdoors only if you live in a heated zone.

Blooming cactus

19. Crested Twin Spined Cactus

Mammillaria geminispina nobilis f. cristata is the scientific name of the crested twin spined cactus. You could expect them to flower in summer and during fall too. These are quite famous cactus types. They usually form white dese spines.

They further consist of white hairs as well. That will give them a wool look. You could spot their flowers, usually grown in pink. You could grow them as indoor plants. These are native cacti in central Mexico. These blooming cactus would consist of two central spines which you could spot in white. Their flowers would be bell

Mammillaria geminispina nobilis 1

Red blooming cactus

20. Sulcorebutia Pasopayana

Sulcorebutia caniguerallii is the scientific name of the Sulcorebutia pasopavana cactus. You could spot them blooming in late spring and they would last for four to five days. They would be either red or vivid pink in color. These cacti would further contain crisscross spines.

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There will not be any central spine visible on this cactus. These blooming cactus could produce a dark brown fruit as well. Those blooms would be funnel shaped. You could grow them as indoor cacti too. They would further compromise with a flat globose stem too. These are endemic plants in Bolivia.

Blooming cactus

21. Mexican Fire Barrel Cactus

Ferocactus pilosus is the scientific name of the Mexican Fire Barrel cactus. You could spot them flowering during summer and in fall too. They usually comprise spines which you could spot in red.

When they are immature, their stem would tend to get a globular shape and once they get matured, they would grow taller. You could spot them blooming in red or yellow colors. These blooming cactus could grow them as perfect houseplants.

Mexican fire barrel cactus are endemic plants in Mexico. It is quite common to see them using  as ornamental plants too.

Blooming cactus

22. Starfish Cactus

Stapelia grandiflora is the scientific name of the starfish cactus. Urchin cactus, carrion plants are a couple of other names which you could use to call them in common. They usually grow in tiny sizes and that makes them perfect plants for indoor growing.

You could expect blooming cactus to bloom in red or brown colors during spring. They further consist of a round body which contains white hairs too. They do not have any spines. You could spot their flowers carrying five petals. Starfish cactus are native plants in South Africa.

Blooming cactus

23. Silver Torch Cactus

Cleistocactus strausii is what is scientifically called the silver torch cactus. You could expect them to bloom in spring and in summer too. They would be red or burgundy in color. These cacti are originating from Bolivia.

They would make great houseplants and would perfectly fit for indoor growing as well as for outdoor growing. They could comprise spines which could be somewhat irritating for humans as well as for pets too. they would be silvery blue in color. These blooming cactus would produce narrow tubular shaped blooms.

Blooming cactus

Yellow blooming cactus

24. Chamaelobivia ‘Lincoln Gem’

Chamaelobivia ‘Lincoln is the scientific name of this cacti. These blooming cactus usually bloom in Summer and in Winter. It is a well-known flowering cactus and tends to grow rapidly too. When they bloom, you could spot them flowering yellow in color.

Those blooms would be larger in size too. These cacti are hailing from central America. You could grow them as indoor plants as well. You could grow them outdoors if you live in warmer weather conditions.

Blooming cactus

25. Schlosser Cactus

The Botanical Name of Schlosser cactus is Parodia schlosseri. You could spot them blooming in the summer season. These blooming cactus would make lemon yellow-colored blooms. Moreover, they would have coppery spines too. You could grow them as great house plants. They would produce spherical shaped flowers.

Blooming cactus

26. Balloon Cactus

Notocactus magnificus is the scientific name of the balloon cactus. They could start flowering either in spring or in summer. They would contain spines too. You could grow them indoors as well as outdoors as well.

However best is to grow them outdoors since it usually grows larger and requires a lot of sunlight. Balloon cactus would produce yellow blooms. These blooming cactus are originating from central Mexico. When they grow, they tend to grow in clusters. They could withstand the freezing temperatures as well.

Blooming cactus

27. Bishop’s Hat Cactus

Bishop’s hat cactus is called Astrophytum myriostigma in scientific terms.  Summer is their flowering season. These are somewhat different to other cacti since they do not have any spines. When they bloom, they produce flowers in yellow.

Chances are that blooming cactus could further consist with red centers as well. These are endemic plants in Mexico. They resemble a star shape when they bloom. This would be one great addition if you plant them indoors. When they bloom, they carry a sweet fragrance as well.

Blooming cactus

28. Monk’s Hood Cactus

Monk’s Hood Cactus’s scientific name is Astrophytum ornatum. Chances are that you could spot them during the summer season. Blooms of this cactus would be yellow in color, and you could spot them forming on top of the plant.

Monk’s hood cactus originates from canyons and in Mexico. You could grow blooming cactus as indoor grown plants. you could spot white flakes on their stems as well. Stems of these cacti would be globose when they are immature and could become cylindrical when mature.

Bishop’s cactus is another name which you could use to call them. If you look at them, they look star shaped.

Blooming cactus

29. Golden Barrel Cactus

Golden barrel cactus is called Echinocactus grusonii scientifically. These are originating from east central Mexico. This is a  species which has faced extinction. When they grow, they tend to take a flat-topped globe.

They would further consist of spines which would be curved in shape and golden in color. You could grow them as indoor plants. Golden ball and mother in law’s cushion are another couple of common names which you could use to call these plants in common.

They would consist of a stem which would be globular shaped. They  could further form spines as well. you could expect them to bloom in summer.

Blooming cactus

30. Fairy Castle Cactus

Fairy castle cactus‘ scientific name is Acanthocereus tetragonus. They are usually known as indoor grown house plants. These cacti are native to North America. You could further grow them in gardens as well. However, it is very rare to spot them blooming.

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They have inherited this name, clumps forming many stems. They would further contain short and dense spines as well. These are relatively slow growing cactus plants. Spring and Summer seasons are supposed to be their blooming seasons though they do not flower. If they flower, they would be larger in size and would be white or yellow in color.

Blooming cactus

31. Lobivia Cactus

Lobivia famatimensis is the scientific name of Lobivia cactus. You could expect them to flower in the summer season and they would be yellow in color. They usually tend to grow in a globular or in a cylindrical shape stem. They do not make any central spines. 

You could grow them as an indoor grown plant. They are hailing from Argentina. Lobivia famatimensis would consist of funnel shaped blooms. You could call them orange cob cactus. They would bloom during the night and fall back during the night.

Blooming cactus

Orange color blooming cactus

32. Claret Cup Cactus

Claret Cup Cactus Botanical Name would be Echinocereus triglochidiatus . Claret cup cactus are native plants in Mexico. Chances are that you could spot them Flowering in Summer. Their blooms would be orange in color, waxy.

Furthermore, their flowers would be cup shaped and they would be about 8-9 cm in size. They tend to make a fruit which is juicy, and you could consume it too.  Moreover, they have a strawberry flavor too. You could grow them as an indoor grown plant. These cacti appear to be in barrel shape. 

Blooming cactus

33. Aylostera narvaecensis Cactus

You could expect them to Flower in Spring. This originates from Bolivia. This usually has a dark green foliage while on the other hand they would consist of spines in white. When they flower, they would produce flowers in orange or deep pink.

Their blooms would be funnel shaped once they bloom. They would make a purple-colored fruit. They usually comprise a cylindrical or spherical stem. This cactus would be handy in using an indoor houseplant.

Blooming cactus

34. Peanut Cactus

Echinopsis chamaecereus is the scientific name of peanut cactus. You could spot them flowering in Spring and Summer. They will look handy if you grow them in small containers indoors. They are a low growing set of cacti. Their flowers would look like they were shaped or funnel shaped.

Those flowers would be orange in color. Peanut cactus produce spines from their stems. Stem mi It is popular as a cactus which children could grow. This is native to Argentina. You could further grow this outdoors as well.

Blooming cactus

White color

35. Moonlight Cactus

Moonlight Cactus scientific name is Selenicereus spinulosus. You could expect them to flower from spring to summer. They would contain a stem which would be cylindrical shaped and blue green in color. Chances are that they would produce red , white flowers which could appear in the night. You could grow them as indoor plants.

These plants are endemic to tropical and subtropical America and to Mexico as well. Jungle cactus is another name which you could use to call them. When you are growing them indoors, you could ideally plant them in hanging baskets.

Blooming cactus

36. Dutchman’s Pipe Cactus

Epiphyllum oxypetalum is the scientific name of the Dutchman’s Pipe Cactus. You could expect them to flower in the summer season. They are known as one of the best flowering plants. When they bloom, they would produce white blooms and further would carry a fragrance too.

They tend to flower during night and hence they have inherited the common name called as queen of the night due to that. Their stems would be borders. Usually, you could grow them as indoor plants. They are hailing from Mexico. They would make radial shaped blooms. 

Blooming cactus

37. Peruvian Apple

Peruvian apple is called as Peruvain apple cactus, hedge cactus too. These cacti are hailing from South America. They are well known for their exceptional height. They would consist of gray-green-blue stems.

Moreover, they would comprise of a stem which would be cylindrical shaped too. You could expect them to bloom in cream color flowers and they would be larger in size. Chances are that they would produce fruits of red to yellow too. Cereus peruvianus is the scientific name of these cactus. They look like trees when they grow to their fullest.

Blooming cactus

38. Lady Finger Cactus

Mammillaria elongata is the scientific name of ladyfinger cactus. Ladyfinger cactus is hailing from central Mexico. They would consist of spines, and they would be either yellow or brown. When these cacti, they would make light yellow or pink blooms.

Flowering would take place in the spring season. You could grow them as both indoor and outdoor plants. However, they would love to grow indoors. Gold lace cactus is a common name which we could use to call them. When they grow, they tend to look like ladyfingers.

blooming cactus

Multi color

39. Orchid Cactus

Epiphyllum hybrids or Phyllocactus is the scientific name of Orchid cactus. Chances are that they could produce flowers during the summer season. When they bloom, they will be about 4 inches in size.

Their colors would be pink, red, white, orange and they would further consist of yellow shades as well. you could grow them indoors ideally in hanging baskets. Orchid cactus is native in Mexico. Their stems are somewhat bordered along with serrated edges.

You could expect them to bloom in spring on the edges of the stems. They would come up with numerous colors such as pink, red, white etc. as most of them are hybrids. You could grow them as indoor plants.

blooming cactus
Credit to : Cactus Caffeine

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About author

I’m Dr. Chamika, As a hobby love talking about plants and showing you that taking care of indoor plants. My website is knowledge I’ve learned over the years and continue to learn about growing succulents. If you’re a succulent lover, then you have come to the correct place.