Blue Torch Cactus
Columnar cactus native to Brazil, known for its striking blue-green stem and dense white to golden wool at the apex and along the ribs. Produces nocturnal pink to red flowers and grows as a tall, branching column in warm desert landscapes. Special Features Striking blue-green stem color; dense white woolly trichomes at growing points; nocturnal […]
Peruvian Apple Cactus
A tall, branching South American cactus with ribbed, blue-green stems, large night-blooming flowers, and edible fruit; commonly sold as Cereus peruvianus or Cereus repandus. Special Features Dramatic vertical form; excellent heat and drought tolerance; edible pink-red fruit with sweet white flesh and small black seeds; attracts nocturnal pollinators. Problems & Solutions Root and stem rot […]
Red Dragon Fruit
A tropical climbing cactus with three-sided green stems and edible, red-skinned dragon fruit. Selenicereus undatus typically has white flesh; red-fleshed dragon fruits are usually other species or hybrids. Special Features Edible fruit, spectacular fragrant night-blooming flowers, and aerial roots for climbing. More moisture-loving and less tolerant of desert sun than native desert cacti. Problems & […]
San Pedro Cactus
Tall, fast-growing columnar cactus native to the Andes, grown in desert landscapes for its striking vertical form. Produces large, fragrant white flowers that open at night. Note: stems contain psychoactive alkaloids (mescaline). Special Features Dramatic columnar accent; large nocturnal blooms attract moths; fast-growing for a cactus; drought tolerant once established; largely spineless Problems & Solutions […]
Senita
A branching Sonoran Desert cactus with upright, ribbed green stems. Mature stems develop dense, shaggy gray spines near their tips, giving senita its distinctive old-man appearance. Special Features Distinctive shaggy gray spines on mature stems; excellent heat and drought tolerance; flowers attract nocturnal pollinators, including the specialized senita moth in its native habitat. Problems & […]
Skinny Yellow Dragonfruit
A tropical climbing cactus grown for spiny yellow fruit with translucent white flesh, black seeds, and exceptionally sweet flavor. Hylocereus megalanthus is now generally classified as Selenicereus megalanthus. Special Features Very sweet edible fruit; spectacular night-blooming flowers; suitable for large containers and vertical training. Less tolerant of Phoenix’s exposed desert conditions than typical landscape cacti. […]
Stetsonia
A large, tree-like Argentine cactus with ribbed, blue-green stems and long, stout spines; commonly called toothpick cactus. Special Features Dramatic branching silhouette, exceptionally long spines, strong heat and drought tolerance, and showy nocturnal flowers. Problems & Solutions Root and stem rot in wet soil (ensure excellent drainage); sunburn after sudden exposure (acclimate gradually); freeze injury, […]
White Dragon Fruit
A tropical climbing cactus with three-sided green stems, spectacular night-blooming flowers, and pink-red fruit containing mildly sweet white flesh speckled with edible black seeds. Special Features Edible white-fleshed fruit, fragrant nocturnal flowers, and dramatic cascading stems. Well suited to supported container culture with protection from Phoenix heat and winter frost. Problems & Solutions Intense sun […]
Baja Saguaro
A massive, tree-like cactus native to Baja California and northwestern Mexico, also called Mexican giant cardon. Thick, ribbed, blue-green stems develop into a dramatic branching silhouette. Special Features Sculptural trunk and branches; exceptional heat and drought tolerance; flowers support nocturnal pollinators, and fruits attract wildlife. Problems & Solutions Cold-sensitive in Zone 9b, especially when young; […]