15 cactus plants to grow

Gymnocalycium oehnanthemum x horstii

This gymnocalycium is a squat, fleshy plant that has long, distinctive, almost curling spines. It develops large pink flowers in summer.

Mammillaria spinosissima

Cactus plants to grow - Mamillaria spinosissima — Cactus plants to grow - *Mamillaria spinosissima*

Mammillaria spinosissima is a pincushion cactus, up to 30cm tall, that grows in clusters or alone. Red fruit may follow the small pink flowers.

Chamaelobivia 'Lincoln Gem'

A fast-growing, freely flowering cactus that produces compact clumps of long, columnar plants.

Sulcorebutia albissima

Cactus plants to grow - Sulcorebutia cactus — Cactus plants to grow - *Sulcorebutia albissima*

A mass of tightly crisscrossing spines on a small, compact plant. It bursts into an abundance of vivid pink flowers in summer.

Mammillaria geminispina nobilis f. cristata

Cactus plants to grow - Mammillaria — Cactus plants to grow - *Mammillaria geminispina nobilis* f. *cristata*

A popular, fast-growing, crested cactus type, with a distinctive undulating shape. It rarely flowers.

Notocactus magnificus

Wool and spines cover the ribs of the distinctive globes of this cactus. Pop it outside in summer to give it a better chance of developing sulphur yellow flowers.

Astrophytum myriostigma

Cactus plants to grow - Astrophytum — Cactus plants to grow - *Astrophytum myriostigma*

Astrophytum myriostigma is a star-shaped cactus with attractive patterns and markings and short, spiky spines. It flowers briefly in summer.

Astrophytum ornatum

Astrophytum ornatum is a fast-growing cactus with yellow flowers. White flakes on its ribbed stem protect it from intense sunlight and will fade in shadier conditions.

Mammillaria laui dasyacantha

Covered in woolly, white spines, this cactus flowers freely in May with a second, even third, flush later in the year.

Rebutia narvaecensis

Large, pink flowers smother the small, circular plants in early spring and seed freely to produce pretty, clumping groups.

Rebutia heliosa

Rebutia heliosa is a small, globular cactus that readily produces offsets. In time it will form a small mound and bear hot orange-red flowers.

Echinocactus grusonii

This large cactus is aptly named the golden barrel cactus, and can eventually reach a metre across. A brilliant cactus for growing as a feature plant in a pot.

Mammillaria hahniana

Known as the old lady cactus, Mammillaria hahniana forms globe-shaped stems covered in fine white spines and white down, from which a circle of pretty pink flowers appears in spring.

Gymnocalycium neuhuberi

Chin cactus, Gymnocalycium neuhuberi, is a rounded, blue-green cactus. It has slightly curved spines that are a rich amber colour when young, before fading to cream. It produces scented, fuchsia-coloured flowers in the summer months.

Ferocactus pilosus

Ferocactus pilosus is a striking barrel cactus with thick red spines. Initially globe-shaped, plants eventually grow tall. Flowers are yellow or red but rarely appear on cultivated plants.

Tips for cactus care
Grow in cactus or free-draining compost
Grow them in unglazed terracotta pots and containers with plenty of drainage holes
Let the compost dry out between watering
Remove dust using a soft paintbrush
Repot every three to four years
Move outdoors in summer to a warm, sunny spot