Myrtillocactus geometrizans (mir-til-oh-KAK-tus, jee-oh-MET-rih-zans) is an upright cactus that becomes tree-like with age. Native to parts of Mexico, including the Chihuahuan Desert, the plant is widespread in tropical forests and arid scrub. The cactus resembles a candelabra, with its dense growth of stems that grow closely together. In its native habitat, it can grow up … Read more
The Huernia [hew-ERN-ee-uh] genus includes perennial succulents from Southern and Eastern Africa. Although they look like they belong in the cactus family, Huernia, first described in 1810, is in the Apocynaceae family. There are roughly 45 species in the Huernia genus. Some popular varieties include: Huernia zebrina Huernia pillansii Huernia primulina Huernia plants can be … Read more
Hoodia bainii was first described in 1878 and is a form of Hoodia gordonii. While the plant resembles a cactus plant, it is a succulent in the milkweed or Asclepiadaceae family. Of all of the Hoodia species, Hoodia bainii is the most common. While it looks like a cactus with its branched and spiny appearance, … Read more
Echinocactus grusonii is a low-maintenance flowering cactus native to parts of Mexico. It was prevalent in the region of Hidalgo until the 1990s with the construction of the Zimapan Dam. Unfortunately, it is now an endangered species in the wild. This cactus plant can grow to form a sizeable spherical globe up to 40″ inches. … Read more
The Opuntia genus of plants includes over 150 species and is in the Cactaceae family. Most people know the genus by its common name, Prickly Pear, despite the actual species. Opuntia plants are known for their flat and broad pads. Some Opuntia varieties have barbed bristles, while others are spineless. The bristles can cause an … Read more
If you’re like many gardeners, you may be looking for a new addition to your garden. Senecio kleinia is a great option! Senecio kleinia is a succulent that is native to South Africa. The plant grows in a rosette shape and can reach up to 2′ feet in height. The leaves are thick and fleshy, … Read more
If you love to garden and want to add a desert touch to your collection, Cleistocactus strausii is the perfect plant for you! This cactus is easy to care for and doesn’t require too much attention. Some of the common household names for the Cleistocactus strausii include: Cleistocactus Fairy cactus Miniature torch cactus Silver orch … Read more
If you’re like me, who loves finding new plants to add to your garden. And if you’re also like me, you want to ensure that the plants you add are easy to care for. So, if you’re looking for an easy-to-care-for plant, I’d recommend checking out lobivia kermesina. Lobivia kermesina, or the red torch cactus, … Read more
Wilcoxia poselgeri is a unique succulent native to Texas and parts of Mexico, where it is abundant and widespread. It thrives at low elevations up to 1150 meters above sea level. In its native habitat, Wilcoxia poselgeri prefers woody vegetation to help support its thin stems. In addition, it also lives in the sandy soils … Read more
Night-blooming cereus (Epiphyllum oxypetalum), a commonly grown houseplant in many parts of this country, comes to us from Mexico and Central America. Unlike the cereus species which grow in our southwest, this particular kind, also known as broad-leaf epiphyllum, grows on trees in its native habitat. The American kinds, which may grow to great heights, … Read more