Tips and Tricks for Growing Blue Cacti

Succulents have taken over the world, in fact, a lot of gardeners have joined the bandwagon and started growing succulents in their gardens, whether indoors or outdoors. Do you know that all cacti are succulents but not all succulents are cacti? You heard it right! If you are planning to grow cacti at home, in this article, we will be discussing the tips and tricks for growing blue cacti. If you are curious and you want to find out more, make sure to continue reading below!

If you are planning to grow or care for a blue cactus, Pilosocereus is the best choice for you! This variety of cacti is widely cultivated by succulent growers; there is a big chance that you will be able to find one in a garden center near you! Most cacti love full sun exposure and do not do well in cold climates.

A lot of cacti varieties have been grown for ornamental features, including the spines, shape and size, and their beautiful flowers. Some cacti are grown because of the color of the skin. Most cacti species are green, but there are blue cacti that are beautiful that can make any landscape, xeriscapes, or desert gardens stand out. Cacti come in different sizes, shapes, forms, and colors and because of that, they can be used in various garden settings and dish gardens as well.

1. Pachycereus pringlei – It is also known as Elephant Cactus. This plant’s ribs are blue-green. It is native to Northwestern Mexico and can be found in California.

2. Cholla cactus – This cactus is a fuzzy blue. It is commonly grown in the south and southwestern parts of the United States. They are known for their barbed spines so watch out! They can attach deeply on the skin, clothing, and fur!

3. Opuntia – It is also known as Prickly Pear. Some varieties of Opuntia cactus have blue skin and sometimes purple-blue. This genus has more than hundreds of species found all over America. Some species are green, but a few of them have a striking blue color which is frost hardy, so no worries of them dying out during the wintertime. Opuntia cactus, like any cacti variety, needs full sun to thrive, as they can be prone to rot.

A. Opuntia gosseliniana is a beautiful cactus that can be added to any desert landscape; it has deep turquoise pads and shades of pink and purple. This plant and the Opuntia santa-rita is the bluest among all the cacti varieties.

If you are planning to plant this cactus in your garden, you must know that it is a fast-growing species. This plant has small spines that can attach itself to your skin and can be quite hard to find and remove, so you must place it in an area where no one can accidentally brush up on it.

4. Cereus Column cactus – This cactus grows upright and has a blue-colored skin. This cactus belongs to a large genus. Some are blue and the others have bluish skin.

A. Cereus hankeanus – It is a cactus species commonly found in Brazil. It is a thin columnar cactus that grows fast. If you will grow this plant in your garden, make sure you are ready to cut it multiple times in a year.

B. Cereus hildmannianus (Uruguayensis) – This cactus is commonly found in Brazil, it is also known as Cereus pervuianus or Queen of the Night. It is one of the most commonly grown columnar cacti in the southwestern parts of the US. This cactus grows quite fast. You can grow small versions of it as they tend to keep the blue coloration than the larger ones.

C. Cereus aethiops – This cactus is a native plant commonly found in Brazil, it has black spines and a blue-green columnar body. Warning: This succulent is difficult to handle, its spines are long, thin, and sharp and can penetrate cactus gloves. Be careful when handling them! Although this plant can be added to any landscape, there is a possibility that it can grow out of control and can be difficult to remove. This plant can tolerate cold weather.

5. Browningia – This cactus belongs to a small genus from South America, The Browningia hertlingianus or also known as Azureocereus hertlingianus. It is one of the most tender cactus species out there. This cactus is a Peruvian species and has knobby columns and golden spines; its skin has powder-blue to blue-green color. This cactus can withstand cold weather; just make sure that it will have full sunlight exposure.

6. Micranthocereus estevesii – This cactus species is also known as Siccobaccatus insigniflorus. It has plenty of orange spines and it contrasts its lovely turquoise color which makes it a perfect ornamental plant. This plant is a tender species and can be affected by freezing temperatures during wintertime.

7. Ferocactus glaucescens is a blue-green cactus species and it has yellow-orange spines. It is from Mexico and does not grow very tall like the other blue cactus varieties. It is quite hardy for individuals who live in Southern California and can be considered as one of the most carefree cacti variety.

8. Melocactus – Some melocacti are green and are grown by gardeners because of their amazing cephalums. The cephalums are the flowering parts of the cactus that form a large reddish cone structure.

A. Melocactus azureus – It is also known as Turk’s Cap and Melocactus glaucescens or also known as Waxy-stemmed Turk’s Cap have blue-colored skin. They are hardy species and are considered to be the most commonly available species. This cactus species can withstand low temperatures in the upper 20 degrees Fahrenheit. They are slow-growing and will take a lot of years before they become mature.

Melocactus azureus has fine spines compared to the glaucescens. When the cephalum appears, the melocactus stops growing and further growth goes to the cephalum. The cephalum is usually white, while the others have red tops.

9. Pilosocereus – This plant is from Brazil, it is also known as Tree Cactus, and it has powder-blue skin. It is considered as one of the most popular blue cacti species available. It is commonly available and has an extreme blue color which makes it a popular choice among gardeners because of its amazing ornamental appearance.

Some of the varieties may seem fake because of their color. Pilosocereus is a cactus genus that is commonly found in South American countries such as Brazil, Mexico, and the Caribbean, it can also be found in Florida.

Pilosocereus azureus is a beautiful blue cactus native to Brazil. It has a dramatic color and can be used with green plants. The blue cactus becomes bluer when the cactus matures.

Pilosocereus is one of the most tender species of cacti. They can be easily damaged during wintertime. If they can survive the cold weather, they will not be able to avoid getting damage caused by extremely cold temperatures and they are prone to forming ugly scars caused by freeze damage. When you have this variety of cacti, make sure to use newspaper and Styrofoam cups on the top of the cacti when the cold weather comes so you can protect them from freeze damage.

If you decide to care for your cactus indoors, you can place them in well-draining containers like this. You can also use grow lights. You can grow different cacti together on a tabletop or a windowsill. You can add them when creating a small indoor succulent garden. Cacti make good houseplants; just make sure to keep them in areas where pets or small children can accidentally brush up on them. Some cacti can also be used as plants in offices.