Plants commonly called Barrel Cactus belong to either the Echinocactus genus or the Ferocactus genus. To a lesser extent, certain species in the Astrophytum, Echinopsis, Sclerocactus, Neolloydia, and Thelocactus genera are also sometimes called barrel cacti. In the Echinocactus genus, there are around six species that are native to Mexico. One of the more common … Read more
Most varieties in the cacti family that are readily available to home gardeners and enthusiasts are fairly easy to grow and pretty hard to kill. These plants require very little maintenance and many are drought tolerant and require minimal watering. The main problem that people have with growing cacti is overwatering. This is because cacti … Read more
Anacampseros are a small group of succulents that originated from South Africa. There are about 100 species in this genus. They are generally low-growing plants that can be characterized by their small, very fleshy leaves. These are mainly different shades of green but many have tinges of red and purple, especially when grown in full … Read more
Anacampseros are a genus of low-growing succulents that originate in South Africa. There are just over 100 different species in this genus. These succulents are easy to grow and require very little care. They make ideal houseplants but can also be grown outdoors in areas that experience mild winters. Anacampseros appreciate full sun or bright … Read more
There are 11 recognized species in the Fouquieria genus. The most well-known of these is the boojum tree (Fouquieria columnaris) and the ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens). All the plants in this genus have semi-succulent stems with mostly short sharp spines jutting out from these stems where the original leaves grew. One of the most interesting characteristics … Read more
Agave attenuata, more commonly known as the Foxtail Agave, Swan’s neck agave, Lion’s tail, or Dragon-Tree Agave, is a lovely evergreen succulent with a rosette of silvery-green leaves which grows on the top of a thick stem. When it flowers, it produces an arching stem with masses of yellow flowers. The plant will flower in … Read more
The Boojum tree is an interesting succulent with a distinctive growth habit. The tree has a tall, fleshy tapering trunk that stores the water that the tree needs to survive. From this trunk, short, spiky branches are formed horizontally and these grow tiny leaves. These stems have short, sharp spines. Sometimes, the branches will become … Read more
Balloon cactus is a lovely ball-shaped cactus that grows happily in temperate climates. The plant exhibits deep ridges on the bluish-green stems that appear perfectly symmetrical. These ridges are adorned with bristle-like pale yellow spines. These are not as sharp as those found on the barrel cactus. The top of each “ball” is usually a … Read more
Parodia is a genus of cacti that originates from South America. Most notably, the natural habitat of this genus includes Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, and Uruguay. There are over 70 species of Parodia cacti, however, not all are currently grown in cultivation. These cacti prefer temperate climates that are not overly humid and areas … Read more
Aeonium arboreum is a delightful succulent that can grow up to 5 feet high as a bushy shrub. The rosettes have fleshy green leaves on elongated stems. When it flowers, it produces a mass of small yellow blooms on the ends of long stems primarily in spring. How to Grow Aeonium arboreum A. arboreum can … Read more