27 Types Of Flowering Cactus With White Flowers

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As you know, most cacti have the ability to flower and many do so with the most amazing blooms. 

Flowering cacti come in a huge range of bloom colors but none are more spectacular than those with white flowers. 

These lovely snowy white blooms contrast beautifully with the green cactus stems to put on a lovely display.

White-flowering cacti are a delightful way to add some interest to your indoor plantscaping. Consider grouping a few together of varying heights and delight in their eye-catching display when they all bloom.

Here’s a vast collection of the most gorgeous white-flowering cacti that we’ve come across.

1 Acanthocereus tetragonus (Triangle cactus)

This large columnar cactus has incredibly beautiful large daisy-like blooms. These can reach a diameter of 6 inches (15 centimeters). The inner petals are pure white while the outer ones have a tinge of green. The pistils are creamy-white with yellow tips.

The plant itself has dark green stems that have three to four sharp angles. Hence the name, triangle cactus. In ideal conditions outdoors, this plant can reach a height of 23 feet (7m).  Each stem has gray areoles along the ridges that bear one central spine and an additional six to eight radial spines.

2 Ariocarpus retusus (Star rock)

This is a rather unique cactus in that the stems are flattened and form a rosette, much like many non-cactus succulents. The papery white blooms are just delightful when they appear on the crown of the plant. These flowers can reach a diameter of 2 inches (5 centimeters). Some plants may also have pink flowers.

This is a slow-growing species that can take up to 10 years of growth before it starts flowering. However, it does make an interesting specimen to add to your collection due to its unusual growth pattern and lovely blooms.

3 Aztekium ritteri (Aztec cactus)

You’ll absolutely adore the delicate white flowers on this unusual plant. They are only around 0.4 inches (1 cm) in diameter and appear on the wooly crown of the stem. The snowy-white petals can also be tinged with pink.

This species has spherical stems that are deeply ribbed and wrinkled. They only grow to a diameter of 2 inches (5 centimeters). However, they do produce offsets and can form small clumps. 

4 Blossfeldia liliputana

This is the smallest cactus found anywhere in the world. But, its diminutive size doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have the most spectacular flowers. These blooms are snowy-white and sometimes tinged with pink. They have yellow centers and can reach a diameter of only 0.3 inches (0.7 cm).

The stems of the plant are normally gray-green and dotted with white wooly areoles that do not bear spines. Each stem only reaches a diameter of 0.5 inches (1.3 centimeters) but the plant can form small clumps by producing offsets.

5 Cereus hexagonus (Lady of the night)

If you’re looking for a cactus with massive white blooms, this is the one for you. The spectacular flowers can be up to 10 inches (25 cm) long. The inner petals are snowy-white while the outer ones are tinged with green. The blooms open at night.

The stems on this plant are quite interesting in that they are heavily ribbed and quite angular. They can be gray-green, blue-green, and even light green in color. This is rather a large growing species and can reach a height of 50 feet (15 m) if grown outdoors in ideal conditions.

6 Cereus hildmannianus (Apple cactus)

This is another large cactus that has the capacity to form clumps as it branches near the base from a woody trunk. The flowers are large and quite spectacular.

The snowy-white petals are often tinged with pink, especially the outer ones. Each bloom can reach a diameter of 6 inches (15 cm). These open at night but will remain open for the following day. 

The green stems are angular and heavily ribbed with only a few short spines. Another bonus with this plant is that it produces edible fruits after flowering.

7 Discocactus horstii

This lovely small plant will delight you with a profusion of creamy white flowers that grow from the crown. When in full bloom, the plant looks like a nobbly vase filled with flowers. The flowers are actually nocturnal but have a lovely sweet fragrance. Each bloom can reach a diameter of 2.4 inches (6 cm).

When not in bloom, the cactus is quite attractive on its own. It’s ball-shaped with around 12 to 22 ribs. These ribs have white wooly areoles along the ribs that bear somewhat flattened spines.

8 Echinopsis candicans (Agentine giant)

This lovely species offers up the most dramatic contrast with its dark red buds opening up into glorious snowy-white blooms. These blooms retain some of the red to pink color in their outer petals. Each flower can reach a diameter of 8 inches (20 cm) and is fragranced.

The stems are columnar with around 9 to 11 ribs that bear large white areoles and golden spines. This species has a tendency to form clumps and the stems can grow at an angle from the base.

9 Echinopsis lageniformis (Bolivian Torch)

Take care with this cactus as it has long, sharp spines along the ribs of the tall stems. However, the beauty of the flowers cannot be overstated. These large imposing blooms can reach a length of 5.2 inches (18 cm). These lovely blooms often appear in groups from areoles near the top of the stem.

This is also one of the fast-growing cacti species and each stem can reach a height of 16.4 feet (5 m). 

10 Echinopsis mamillosa

You’ll be absolutely delighted with the gorgeous white blooms that appear on this cactus. They are quite large, reaching a diameter of 3.1 inches (8 cm) and the petals can sometimes have rose-colored tips.

The plant has a solitary, globe-shaped stem with numerous ribs. These ribs have evenly spaced areoles that bear golden flattened spines. These turn gray with age.

11 Echinopsis mirabilis (Flower of prayer)

The lovely spidery white cactus flowers on this species are nocturnal and only last for a few hours. They’re strongly scented and have long stems.

This is only a small growing cactus with dark brown stems that reach a height of 6 inches (15 cm). The stems are ribbed and have gray and black spines.

12 Echinopsis scopulicola

You’ll love the plump nobbly structure of this species. The columnar stems are blue-green and have rather plump ribs with very short spines. The lovely large white blooms have snowy-white inner petals and burgundy outer ones. These blooms can reach a length of 9 inches (22.5 cm). 

The flowers open at night and will close again late the following morning. 

13 Echinopsis schickendantzii

This is another species with amazing white flowers. These gorgeous blooms are cup-shaped and can reach a length of 8 inches (20 cm). The flowers will last for several days and normally appear on the crown of the stems.

The cylindrical stems are green and have yellow spines. Each stem only grows to a height of 30 inches (75 cm). 

14 Echinopsis spachiana (Golden torch)

If you ever get to see this species in its native habitat, you’ll be greeted with a mass of tall green stems topped with a profusion of large white flowers. The blooms can reach a diameter of 6 inches (15 cm) and are mostly open at night. 

The plant itself is a columnar cactus that can reach a height of 7 feet (2 m). The stems are heavily ribbed and have large areoles along the ridges. These areoles not only bear numerous spines but also wavy yellow hairs.

15 Echinopsis subdenudata (Easter Lily)

This species will grow the loveliest white blooms that are fragrant and funnel-shaped. They can reach a length of 9 inches (22.5 cm).  These grow from the areoles along the stem and can be quite prolific.

The stems are spherical and have white wooly areoles along the ribs. Short brown spines grow from these.

16 Epiphyllum hookeri (Hooker’s orchid cactus)

The large spidery flowers on this climbing cactus will amaze you when they open at night during the summer. They also have a lovely fragrance that will imbue the night air with a tantalizing sweet scent. Each bloom can reach a diameter of 8 inches (20 cm).

The Epiphyllum hookeri plant stems are quite different from other cacti species in that they are long, segmented, and strappy. This plant is great when grown in a large pot and supported by a trellis. 

17 Epiphyllum oxypetalum (Queen of the night)

This is another night-blooming cactus with the most spectacular white blooms that are heavily fragrant. These flowers are funnel-shaped and can reach a diameter of 5 inches (20 cm). 

The stems are heavily branched and similar to Epiphyllum hookeri. This is one of the most popular species in the whole cacti family.

See more about Queen of the night plant care guide.

18 Gymnocalycium anisitsii

This cactus might be small but the flowers put on a spectacular display when they bloom. They are funnel-shaped and can reach a length of 2.4 inches (6 cm). They can also sometimes be tinged with pink.

The plant has a globular stem that will only grow to around 4 inches (10 cm) tall. It will produce clusters by offsetting from the base. Be careful of the rather long spines that grow from the areoles along the ribs.

19 Gymnocalycium castellanosii

This lovely green cactus will amaze you when it blooms by producing a cluster of lovely white flowers with deep red centers from the crown. These diminutive flowers only reach a length of 1.8 inches (4.5 cm). 

The plant has a globose, often flattened, dark green stem that is heavily covered in long spines that grow from large wooly areoles. Each stem will only grow to a height of 4 inches (10 cm).

20 Gymnocalycium ragonesei

This small cactus may be a little plain in appearance but it really shines when it blooms. The flowers are creamy-white with red centers. They can reach a diameter of 1.8 inches (4.5 cm) and are funnel-shaped. These blooms will stay open for anything up to 12 days.

When not in bloom, the plant has a globose stem that is flattened and only grows to a height of around 1 inch (2.5 cm). This small stem can change colors with the season and be either gray-green, olive green, or purplish-brown.

21 Gymnocalycium saglionis (Giant chin cactus)

You have to admit that there’s something quite cute about a chin cactus and this species is no exception, especially when it flowers. Each bloom can reach a length of 1.4 inches (3.5 cm). They have lovely white petals and a red center. It’s common for these to appear in profusion on the crown of the plant.

As one of the larger chin cactus, the spherical stems on this plant can grow to a height of 3 feet (90 cm). However, it’s quite slow-growing and will take some time to get to this height. You also want to watch out for those long spines that are very sharp.

22 Lophophora diffusa (False peyote)

This is a cute little cactus to add to your collection. It produces lovely white flowers that can reach a diameter of 1.2 inches (3 cm). These have yellow centers and the white petals have a lovely sheen.

The flat globular stems are spineless and have tufts of creamy-white hairs growing from the areoles. Each stem only grows to a height of 3 inches (7.5 cm).

23 Mammillaria lenta

This attractive small cactus produces a mass of white flowers whose petals have a pink mid-stripe. Each flower only reaches a diameter of 1 inch (2.5 cm). 

Cactus stems form large flat-topped mounds as they branch from the base. Each bright green stem is covered totally with delicate white spines.

24 Mammillaria plumosa (Feather cactus)

This is another clustering cactus that forms large mounds of globose stems. These stems are completely covered with soft white spines. The diminutive creamy-white flowers have a green center and can appear all over the top of each stem.

25 Obregonia denegrii (Artichoke cactus)

This cactus is quite unusual as it’s the only one in its genus. This is more than likely due to its interesting shape. The globular stem resembles an inverted pine cone with prominent wooly areoles protruding from each point on the stem. These areoles bear a small number of spines.

The flowers appear on the crown of the plant and are quite spectacular with their white pointed petals and dark orange centers. The plant also produces white fleshy fruits that are edible.

26 Selenicereus undatus (White-fleshed pitaya or Dragon fruit)

You might be familiar with dragon fruit. This is the plant that produces those lovely tropical fruits. It was formerly known as Hylocereus undatus. It’s a sprawling and creeping cactus that has sweetly scented white flowers that can be up to 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter. 

This species is ideal for growing in a large hanging basket so that the long stems can trail down. This plant also produces aerial roots that help the stems to climb up the trunks of large rainforest trees. The long three-ribbed stems have short spines on the ribs.

27 Tephrocactus articulatus (Pine cone cactus)

This is another unusual cactus. It produces multiple stems that start out looking just like a green pine cone. These stems then grow tall and thin and branch again at their tip with smaller pine cone-like stems. 

The lovely papery white flowers appear at the tips of the stems and can be quite large and outstanding in appearance. Each bloom can reach a diameter of 1.6 inches (4 cm).

*image by ullision/depositphotos


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