Annette Hird 
Epiphyllum hookeri (Hooker’s Orchid Cactus) has interesting stems as well as large daisy-like flowers that are white and fragrant. This plant flowers in late summer to early fall and the blooms only open at night. This variety is actually referred to as a climbing cactus because of its interesting structure. The stems grow upwards and … Read more
It’s no secret that succulents have become extremely popular in recent years, mostly as easy-care indoor plants that add a touch of greenery to your living spaces. There are even succulent enthusiasts who have become avid collectors of all types of succulent plants. So, What Are Succulent Plants? In a nutshell, succulents are plants that … Read more
Dudleyas are hardy succulents native to California and Mexico. They are extremely drought tolerant and will almost thrive on neglect. In their native habitat, many of these species are becoming endangered and it’s illegal to harvest them. However, many plant producers have been able to propagate and cultivate these plants so that home gardeners can … Read more
There are around 50 species of Dudleyas that are commonly found in California and Mexico. These plants grow in rocky outcrops in arid regions and are found nowhere else in the world. Dudleyas are tough little plants that are superbly climatized to living in areas with hot, dry summers and mild winters. They grow quite … Read more
There are five main species of dragon fruit plant that are commonly grown and each species has a number of different cultivars, varieties, and hybrids. Dragon fruits are the fruit of these different species of cacti and these plants grow as a vine with the fruit being produced on the ends of the long and … Read more
This interesting species of cactus is quite unusual in that it prefers to grow in sub-tropical areas. It has enormous white flowers that only open at night. After flowering, the plant produces spectacular-looking fruits that are edible. The other interesting fact about this cactus is that it’s a lithophyte or hemi-epiphyte and does tolerate growing … Read more
Plants in the Schlumbergera genus are often commonly called holiday cactus. But, beware of common names because they can sometimes be both misleading and misused. For example, Schlumbergera truncata (Thanksgiving cactus) is often sold with the common name of Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi). Although these plants are very similar, they do differ in when … Read more
Christmas cacti are easy plants to grow and can add a lot of color to your holiday decor as they bloom during the winter months. There are several species of Christmas cactus with a variety of different flower colors. These include white, red, pink, yellow, and purple. The flowers will last for a number of … Read more
Claret cup cactus is one of the easiest cacti to grow. This plant is mostly grown for its spectacular flowers that adorn the plant during spring and summer. Depending on the variety, these flowers can range slightly in color but most are bright orange to red. Claret cup cacti are low-growing Echinocereus cacti but they … Read more
Few things are as visually stunning as the sight of a flowering claret cup cactus in the Mojave Desert in California. Imagine stepping over a rocky outcrop and before you is a sea of orangy-red flowers opening their bright faces to the sun. These plants are low-growing and only reach a height of about 1 … Read more
