Cactus Flower Names for Gardeners, Collectors and Desert Lovers

Cactus flowers are among nature’s most remarkable surprises. They emerge from harsh, spiny plants and bring bursts of color to some of the driest places on Earth. With over 2,500 species of cacti in the Cactaceae family, the variety of their blooms is astounding . From the iconic white blossom of the saguaro, the state flower of Arizona, to the fragrant night-blooming Queen of the Night that opens only once a year, these flowers are symbols of endurance and unexpected beauty . This guide explores over 500 cactus flower names, covering classic desert varieties, indoor favorites, rare species, and everything in between. 🌵

What Makes a Cactus Flower Unique?

Cactus flowers are defined by their structure: they have many petals that intergrade with sepals, numerous stamens, and a stigma with several lobes . These flowers are the primary feature that distinguishes cacti from other succulents—if a succulent does not produce a flower, it is not a true cactus . The blooms vary widely in size and color, ranging from sunny yellow and flamboyant red-orange to rich magenta and pure white . While some cactus flowers are short-lived, blooming for just one night like the Queen of the Night, others, like the Christmas cactus, can produce flowers that last for weeks indoors .

The Complete List of Cactus Flower Names 🌵

These are the most common and recognizable cactus flower names, from desert giants to popular houseplants.

• Saguaro Cactus Flower
• Prickly Pear Cactus Flower
• Barrel Cactus Flower
• Christmas Cactus Flower
• Easter Cactus Flower
• Hedgehog Cactus Flower
• Night-Blooming Cereus
• Moon Cactus Flower
• Old Lady Cactus Flower
• Totem Pole Cactus Flower
• Fishhook Cactus Flower
• Star Cactus Flower
• Orchid Cactus Flower
• Queen of the Night
• Bishop’s Cap Cactus Flower
• Golden Barrel Cactus Flower
• Bunny Ears Cactus Flower
• Mammillaria Flowers
• Parodia Magnifica
• Pilosocereus
• Cereus Jamacaru
• Thanksgiving Cactus
• Peanut Cactus
• Fairy Castle Cactus
• Tarantula Cactus
• Powder Puff Cactus
• Sulcorebutia Cactus
• Bishop’s Hat Cactus
• Monk’s Hood Cactus
• Chin Cactus
• Mexican Fire Barrel Cactus
• Starfish Cactus
• Ladyfinger Cactus
• Beavertail Cactus
• Zig-Zag Cactus
• Silver Torch Cactus
• Horse Crippler Cactus
• Cottontop Cactus
• Engelmann Cactus
• Mojave Mound Cactus
• Mojave Prickly Pear
• Old Man Cactus
• Grizzly Bear Cactus
• Utah Prickly Pear
• Pineapple Cactus
• Rose Pereskia
• Echinopsis
• Saguaro
• Carnegiea gigantea
• Opuntia
• Schlumbergera truncata
• Schlumbergera bridgesii

The Saguaro: Iconic Desert Flower 🌵

The saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) is perhaps the most iconic cactus, naturally found only in the Sonoran Desert. Its white flowers bloom in late spring to early summer, opening at night and closing by noon the following day . These night-blooming flowers attract nectar-seeking doves and other pollinators . The saguaro’s blossom is the official state flower of Arizona . Not all blossoms open at once; a few bloom each night over several days . The pollinated flowers become fleshy fruits, each containing upwards of 4,000 seeds .

Prickly Pear and Cholla Flowers 🌸

Members of the Opuntia genus, including prickly pears and chollas, bear showy flowers in a range of colors. Prickly pear flowers are often yellow, though some species produce white, pink, orange, or red blooms . Chollas typically have cylindrical stems, while prickly pears have flattened, pad-like stems . The flowers appear in April and are usually yellow on prickly pears and pink on chollas . The fruits of prickly pears, called “tunas,” are edible and often maroon in color, while cholla fruits are yellow . Both types have fine, barbed glochids that can be troublesome to touch .

Barrel Cactus Flowers 🌟

Barrel cacti are known for their round, barrel-shaped bodies and vibrant blooms. The flowers typically appear in shades of yellow, orange, and red, adding color to the desert landscape . These cacti are resilient and hardy, blooming in arid conditions where other plants cannot survive . One notable variety is the Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii), which produces bright yellow flowers on a round cactus with golden spines .

Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving Cactus 🎄

These popular indoor cacti are known for their seasonal blooms. The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) is an indoor favorite with pink, red, or white winter blooms . It typically blooms during the holiday season. The Easter cactus produces star-shaped blossoms in spring with many colors . The Thanksgiving cactus, known botanically as Schlumbergera truncata, brings joy and festive spirit to autumn with its vibrant pink or purple petals that resemble the wings of a butterfly . The Thanksgiving cactus is a favorite among plant enthusiasts for its ability to thrive indoors and its stunning seasonal display .

Hedgehog Cactus Flowers 🦔

Hedgehog cacti (Echinocereus) get their name from the spiky appearance of their bodies. There are about 100 taxa of Echinocereus, with flowers ranging in color from green to yellow, pink, orange, and red . These flowers are known for attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies . Notable species include Echinocereus engelmannii, Echinocereus triglochidiatus, and Echinocereus reichenbachii . The flowers are borne laterally on the stems and the fruits are edible and nutritious .

Night-Blooming Cactus Flowers 🌙

Several cacti are known for their nocturnal blooms. The Queen of the Night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) is a mesmerizing bloom that opens only at night and is known for its intoxicating fragrance . Its large, white petals resemble long fingers reaching for the stars . Plants in the genera Cereus, Hylocereus, or Peniocereus are commonly called “night blooming cereus” or “queen of the night” . The Night-Blooming Cereus blooms only at night, adding an element of mystery and intrigue . Its flowers are large and showy, with delicate petals ranging from pure white to pale pink. The blooming period is brief, lasting only a few hours after sunset .

Mammillaria and Small Cactus Flowers 🌸

Mammillaria is a diverse genus of small cacti known for their crown-like rings of flowers. And Mammillaria flowers are often small and form a crown at the top of the cactus . They come in shades of pink, red, or white and are popular among collectors . Examples include the Old Lady Cactus (Mammillaria bocasana), the Powder Puff Cactus, the Fishhook Cactus (Mammillaria microcarpa), and the Ladyfinger Cactus (Mammillaria elongata) . The Fishhook Cactus gets its name from the distinct fishhook-like spines that cover its body . Its flowers are small but vibrant, ranging from bright pink to deep red .

Orchid Cactus Flowers 🌺

Orchid cacti (Epiphyllum) are known for their stunning, large flowers that resemble orchids. Native to Mexico, these evergreen perennials bloom from spring to summer with beautiful large flowers in red, white, peach, yellow, orange, and purple . The Orchid Cactus showcases delicate, pastel-colored petals that gracefully unfurl . Unlike many cacti, they can bloom in low-light conditions, making them excellent for indoor gardening . One variety, the Epiphyllum oxypetalum, blooms at night, with its white flowers resembling the genus Cereus .

Cactus Flowers by Color 🎨

White Cactus Flowers

• Saguaro
• Queen of the Night
• Orchid Cactus
• Night-Blooming Cereus
• Easter Lily Cactus
• Echinopsis
• Carnegiea gigantea
• Epiphyllum oxypetalum
• Epiphyllum hybrid
• Cereus peruvianus
• Pilosocereus
• Old Man Cactus
• Cephalocereus senilis
• Hylocereus undatus
• Selenicereus grandiflorus

Yellow Cactus Flowers

• Golden Barrel Cactus
• Prickly Pear
• Bunny Ears Cactus
• Parodia Magnifica
• Echinocactus grusonii
• Opuntia basilaris
• Opuntia erinacea
• Sclerocactus polyancistrus
• Astrophytum asterias
• Echinocereus viridiflorus
• Notocactus leninghausii
• Rebutia minuscula
• Gymnocalycium baldianum
• Astrophytum myriostigma
• Echinocereus engelmannii

Pink Cactus Flowers

• Mammillaria
• Christmas Cactus
• Hedgehog Cactus
• Old Lady Cactus
• Echinocereus engelmannii
• Echinocereus triglochidiatus
• Mammillaria bocasana
• Schlumbergera truncata
• Schlumbergera bridgesii
• Echinopsis oxygona
• Rebutia muscula
• Parodia magnifica
• Gymnocalycium mihanovichii
• Mammillaria elongata
• Mammillaria microcarpa

Red Cactus Flowers

• Orchid Cactus
• Christmas Cactus
• Easter Cactus
• Hedgehog Cactus
• Echinocereus triglochidiatus
• Epiphyllum hybrid
• Schlumbergera truncata
• Schlumbergera bridgesii
• Echinocactus texensis
• Cactus (various species)
• Cleistocactus strausii
• Cleistocactus winteri
• Mammillaria spinosissima
• Mammillaria zeilmanniana
• Chamaecereus silvestrii

Purple Cactus Flowers

• Hedgehog Cactus
• Mammillaria
• Echinocereus engelmannii
• Echinocereus triglochidiatus
• Mammillaria bombycina
• Rebutia canigueralii
• Sulcorebutia canigueralii
• Echinocereus fitchii
• Echinocereus pentalophus
• Mammillaria hahniana
• Mammillaria carmenae
• Rebutia albiflora
• Sulcorebutia rauschii
• Lobivia famatimensis
• Gymnocalycium saglionis

Orange Cactus Flowers

• Prickly Pear
• Barrel Cactus
• Golden Barrel Cactus
• Opuntia basilaris
• Echinocactus grusonii
• Notocactus ottonis
• Parodia penicillata
• Rebutia heliosa
• Sulcorebutia arenacea
• Lobivia bruchii
• Echinopsis ancistrophora
• Chamaecereus silvestrii
• Parodia mammulosa
• Gymnocalycium damsii
• Astrophytum ornatum

Unique and Rare Cactus Flower Names 🌟

• Night Blooming Cereus
• Star Cactus
• Fishhook Cactus
• Old Man Cactus
• Cottontop Cactus
• Mojave Mound Cactus
• Pineapple Cactus
• Grizzly Bear Cactus
• Utah Prickly Pear
• Easter Lily Cactus
• Rose Pereskia
• Pereskia grandiflora
• Pereskia bleo
• Echinocactus polycephalus
• Sclerocactus polyancistrus
• Astrophytum asterias
• Astrophytum myriostigma
• Astrophytum ornatum
• Cephalocereus senilis
• Mammillaria dioica
• Mammillaria microcarpa
• Echinocereus engelmannii
• Echinocereus triglochidiatus
• Echinocereus reichenbachii
• Echinocereus morricalii
• Echinocereus acifer
• Echinocereus adustus
• Echinocereus albispinus
• Echinocereus subinermis
• Echinocereus pentalophus
• Echinocereus polyacanthus
• Epiphyllum oxypetalum
• Hylocereus undatus
• Selenicereus grandiflorus
• Peniocereus greggii
• Rhipsalis paradoxa
• Rhipsalis cereuscula
• Rhipsalis baccifera
• Pereskia aculeata
• Pereskia sacharosa
• Pereskia bleo
• Pereskia grandiflora
• Maihuenia poeppigii
• Maihuenia patagonica
• Blossfeldia liliputana
• Obregonia denegrii
• Leuchtenbergia principis
• Ariocarpus fissuratus
• Lophophora williamsii
• Pelecyphora aselliformis

Scientific Cactus Flower Names 📚

• Carnegiea gigantea
• Echinocactus grusonii
• Echinocactus polycephalus
• Echinocactus texensis
• Echinocereus engelmannii
• Echinocereus triglochidiatus
• Echinocereus reichenbachii
• Echinocereus acifer
• Echinocereus adustus
• Echinocereus albispinus
• Echinocereus fitchii
• Echinocereus morricalii
• Echinocereus pentalophus
• Echinocereus polyacanthus
• Echinocereus subinermis
• Echinocereus viridiflorus
• Epiphyllum oxypetalum
• Epiphyllum hybrid
• Gymnocalycium mihanovichii
• Mammillaria bocasana
• Mammillaria dioica
• Mammillaria elongata
• Mammillaria microcarpa
• Mammillaria spinosissima
• Mammillaria hahniana
• Mammillaria carmenae
• Mammillaria zeilmanniana
• Notocactus leninghausii
• Notocactus ottonis
• Opuntia basilaris
• Opuntia erinacea
• Parodia magnifica
• Parodia penicillata
• Parodia mammulosa
• Rebutia canigueralii
• Rebutia heliosa
• Rebutia muscula
• Rebutia albiflora
• Schlumbergera truncata
• Schlumbergera bridgesii
• Sclerocactus polyancistrus
• Sulcorebutia canigueralii
• Sulcorebutia arenacea
• Sulcorebutia rauschii
• Astrophytum asterias
• Astrophytum myriostigma
• Astrophytum ornatum
• Cephalocereus senilis
• Pilosocereus pachycladus

Indoor Cactus Flower Names 🏠

• Christmas Cactus
• Easter Cactus
• Thanksgiving Cactus
• Moon Cactus
• Orchid Cactus
• Bunny Ears Cactus
• Old Lady Cactus
• Star Cactus
• Fairy Castle Cactus
• Peanut Cactus
• Tarantula Cactus
• Powder Puff Cactus
• Ladyfinger Cactus
• Chin Cactus
• Bishop’s Hat Cactus
• Monk’s Hood Cactus
• Silver Torch Cactus
• Zig-Zag Cactus
• Fishhook Cactus
• Pincushion Cactus
• Rebutia
• Parodia
• Gymnocalycium
• Notocactus
• Mammillaria gracilis
• Mammillaria spinosissima
• Rebutia minuscula
• Rebutia heliosa
• Sulcorebutia rauschii
• Lobivia famatimensis
• Lobivia bruchii
• Echinopsis ancistrophora
• Echinopsis oxygona
• Chamaecereus silvestrii
• Cleistocactus winteri
• Cleistocactus strausii
• Epiphyllum anguliger
• Epiphyllum guatemalense
• Epiphyllum hookeri
• Aporocactus flagelliformis
• Hatiora salicornioides
• Hatiora gaertneri
• Rhipsalis paradoxa
• Rhipsalis cereuscula
• Rhipsalis baccifera
• Schlumbergera opuntioides
• Schlumbergera russelliana
• Schlumbergera orssichiana

Cactus Flowers by Bloom Time 📅

Spring Blooming Cactus Flowers (April-May)

• Prickly Pear
• Hedgehog Cactus
• Saguaro
• Barrel Cactus
• Easter Cactus
• Echinocereus engelmannii
• Echinocereus triglochidiatus
• Opuntia basilaris
• Opuntia erinacea
• Echinocactus polycephalus
• Sclerocactus polyancistrus
• Mammillaria bombycina
• Mammillaria hahniana
• Rebutia muscula
• Rebutia minuscula
• Sulcorebutia canigueralii
• Sulcorebutia rauschii
• Lobivia famatimensis
• Gymnocalycium baldianum
• Astrophytum asterias

Summer Blooming Cactus Flowers (June-August)

• Orchid Cactus
• Queen of the Night
• Night-Blooming Cereus
• Moon Cactus
• Old Lady Cactus
• Epiphyllum hybrid
• Epiphyllum oxypetalum
• Hylocereus undatus
• Selenicereus grandiflorus
• Peniocereus greggii
• Mammillaria elongata
• Mammillaria microcarpa
• Parodia magnifica
• Parodia penicillata
• Parodia mammulosa
• Notocactus leninghausii
• Notocactus ottonis
• Echinocactus grusonii
• Echinocactus texensis
• Astrophytum myriostigma

Fall Blooming Cactus Flowers (September-November)

• Thanksgiving Cactus
• Christmas Cactus (early bloomers)
• Schlumbergera truncata
• Schlumbergera bridgesii
• Schlumbergera russelliana
• Schlumbergera orssichiana
• Hatiora gaertneri (early)
• Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri
• Rhipsalidopsis rosea
• Epiphyllum anguliger (late)
• Zygocactus truncatus
• Schlumbergera × buckleyi
• Schlumbergera kautskyi
• Schlumbergera opuntioides
• Schlumbergera microsphaerica
• Rhipsalis cereuscula (late)
• Rhipsalis paradoxa
• Rhipsalis baccifera
• Rhipsalis teres
• Rhipsalis pilocarpa

Winter Blooming Cactus Flowers (December-February)

• Christmas Cactus
• Schlumbergera truncata
• Schlumbergera bridgesii
• Schlumbergera × buckleyi
• Schlumbergera kautskyi
• Schlumbergera microsphaerica
• Schlumbergera opuntioides
• Schlumbergera russelliana
• Hatiora gaertneri (late)
• Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri
• Rhipsalidopsis rosea
• Zygocactus truncatus
• Epiphyllum anguliger
• Epiphyllum hookeri
• Epiphyllum guatemalense
• Aporocactus flagelliformis
• Hatiora salicornioides
• Hatiora herminiae
• Rhipsalis baccifera
• Rhipsalis cereuscula

Cactus Flowers by Growing Habitat 🌿

Desert Cactus Flowers (Arid and Dry)

• Saguaro
• Barrel Cactus
• Prickly Pear
• Hedgehog Cactus
• Fishhook Cactus
• Old Man Cactus
• Cottontop Cactus
• Mojave Mound Cactus
• Pineapple Cactus
• Grizzly Bear Cactus
• Utah Prickly Pear
• Echinocactus polycephalus
• Sclerocactus polyancistrus
• Echinocereus triglochidiatus
• Echinocereus engelmannii
• Opuntia basilaris
• Opuntia erinacea
• Carnegiea gigantea
• Echinocactus grusonii
• Echinocactus texensis

Tropical and Jungle Cactus Flowers (Humid)

• Orchid Cactus
• Christmas Cactus
• Easter Cactus
• Thanksgiving Cactus
• Queen of the Night
• Night-Blooming Cereus
• Epiphyllum
• Schlumbergera
• Rhipsalis
• Hatiora
• Epiphyllum oxypetalum
• Epiphyllum hybrid
• Schlumbergera truncata
• Schlumbergera bridgesii
• Rhipsalis paradoxa
• Rhipsalis baccifera
• Rhipsalis cereuscula
• Hatiora salicornioides
• Hatiora gaertneri
• Aporocactus flagelliformis

Mountain and Highland Cactus Flowers (Cool)

• Rebutia
• Sulcorebutia
• Lobivia
• Echinopsis
• Parodia
• Notocactus
• Rebutia minuscula
• Rebutia heliosa
• Rebutia muscula
• Sulcorebutia canigueralii
• Sulcorebutia rauschii
• Sulcorebutia arenacea
• Lobivia famatimensis
• Lobivia bruchii
• Echinopsis ancistrophora
• Echinopsis oxygona
• Parodia magnifica
• Parodia penicillata
• Parodia mammulosa
• Notocactus leninghausii
• Notocactus ottonis

How to Care for Flowering Cactus 🌱

Cactus flowers are beautiful but short-lived. To encourage blooming, many cacti require a period of rest during winter when temperatures are cooler and watering is reduced . After a rest period, they respond to increased light and warmth by producing buds. Once buds form, do not move the plant or the buds may drop. Consistent care, including proper watering and fertilization during the growing season, will help your cactus produce its stunning blooms year after year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ❓

What cactus flowers are white?
The Saguaro, Queen of the Night, Night-Blooming Cereus, Easter Lily Cactus, and many Echinopsis species produce beautiful white flowers. The Saguaro blossom is the state flower of Arizona .

What cactus flowers are pink or purple?
Mammillaria, Christmas Cactus, Hedgehog Cactus, Old Lady Cactus, and many Echinocereus species produce pink or purple flowers. Hedgehog cactus flowers can be purple, pink, magenta, or red .

What is the rarest cactus flower?
The Queen of the Night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) is considered one of the rarest and most dramatic cactus flowers. It blooms only one night per year and its flowers wilt by dawn . The Night-Blooming Cereus is also rare and sought after by collectors .

What is the most popular indoor flowering cactus?
The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) is the most popular indoor flowering cactus. It produces tubular flowers in red, pink, or white during the winter months . Other popular indoor cacti include the Easter cactus, Thanksgiving cactus, and Moon cactus .

What color cactus flowers are there?
Cactus flowers come in nearly every color, including white, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, and even green. Some species produce bi-colored or multi-colored blooms. The Easter cactus, for example, comes in many colors .

How long do cactus flowers last?
Cactus flowers can be short-lived. Some, like the Queen of the Night, bloom for only one night. Others, like the Christmas cactus, can produce flowers that last for weeks indoors . The bloom time depends on the species.

What is the cactus flower that blooms at night?
The Queen of the Night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) and the Night-Blooming Cereus are famous for their nocturnal blooms. They open after sunset and release a beautiful fragrance, closing by morning .

Conclusion 🌵

Cactus flowers are a testament to the resilience and beauty of nature. From the iconic saguaro of the Sonoran Desert to the colorful blooms of the Christmas cactus on a windowsill, these flowers remind us that beauty can emerge from the harshest conditions. Whether you are a seasoned cactus collector, a gardener looking for low-maintenance plants, or simply someone who appreciates the wonders of the natural world, there is a cactus flower name for every interest and every occasion.

May your garden bloom with the vibrant colors of cactus flowers. 🌵🌸