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
Cholla cacti are interesting species in that they have an abundance of very sharp, barbed spines and many have flower buds that are edible as well as edible fruit. These cacti are multi-branching with cylindroid joints. The reason this genus of cacti is so successful in the wild is how the plant reproduces itself. The … Read more
Cholla cactus belong to the Cylindropuntia genus which contains around 33 different species. Originally, this genus was thought to be a subgenus of Opuntia. However, the genus now stands alone. The main difference between the Cylindropuntia genus and the Opuntia genus is that the former has cylindrical stems while the latter has flattened stems called … Read more
There are over 30 species in the Adromischus genus that you can easily grow. These succulents are all low-growing and are ideal for growing in containers indoors. However, if you live in a warm climate, you can also grow these lovely plants outdoors and they will add some interest to your rock garden. Most of … Read more
Calico hearts is a low-growing succulent with attractive succulent leaves. The leaves are wedge-shaped and thick. They are green in color with interesting chocolate-colored splotches. This gives them a marbled appearance. These plants are ideal for growing in pots due to their compact size and low maintenance requirements. They have a fairly shallow root system … Read more
This is undoubtedly one of those succulents that will make you stop in your tracks. Haworthia truncata is distinguished by foliage that can sometimes look like rocks. One will understandably feel compelled to touch the leaves, which fan out evenly from the center of the plant. This species doesn’t form typical rosettes as its leaves … Read more
Haworthia obtusa is a stunning succulent. Its leaves are incredibly delicate and translucent. They appear ready to burst with cool and clear water. If you’re after a plant that won’t take up much space, yet is endlessly fascinating to look at, you should definitely consider this one. Its rosettes extend to a maximum spread of … Read more
