Lykkers, if you’re looking for a low-maintenance, eye-catching plant for your home, cacti may be just what you need. These resilient plants thrive indoors, bringing a touch of desert charm to any room.

With various shapes, sizes, and colors, cacti can be the perfect addition to a windowsill or shelf. Here’s how to care for indoor cacti and a few great types to consider for your home.

Caring for Indoor Cacti

Cacti are famously easygoing, but they do need specific conditions to grow well indoors. Place your cactus in a bright spot with plenty of indirect sunlight—direct sun can scorch it. Watering is minimal; a small amount every 2-4 weeks usually suffices, depending on your home’s humidity and temperature. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings to avoid root rot, a common issue with overwatered cacti. A sandy, well-draining potting mix designed for succulents will help your cactus stay healthy and prevent excess moisture.

Recommended Indoor Cacti

Here are some of the most popular types of indoor cacti, each bringing its own style and charm to your space:

Bunny Ear Cactus (Opuntia microdasys)

Recognizable by its “pads” dotted with tiny, fuzzy spines, the bunny ear cactus is a small and easy-to-care-for cactus perfect for indoor spaces. It requires little water and thrives in indirect sunlight, making it an ideal indoor choice.

Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus)

Known for its distinctive round shape, the barrel cactus has a classic look with its ribbed body and spines. These cacti are very hardy and easy to maintain indoors, needing minimal water and bright but indirect sunlight.

Golden Ball Cactus (Parodia leninghausii)

This cactus has a bright yellow hue, adding a splash of color to any indoor setting. With its fluffy-looking spines and columnar shape, it makes an interesting addition to a collection of plants. Like other cacti, it requires bright, indirect light and minimal watering.

Fairy Castle Cactus (Acanthocereus tetragonus)

Resembling the towers of a castle, this cactus grows in spiky vertical columns and can add height and structure to an indoor plant arrangement. It’s low-maintenance, requiring occasional watering and a sunny spot to thrive.

Benefits of Growing Cacti Indoors

Indoor cacti add more than just beauty to a space. Their water-storing abilities mean they thrive with minimal maintenance, which is ideal for those with busy lifestyles. Cacti also purify the air, absorb CO₂ at night, and have been shown to reduce indoor humidity, making them both decorative and functional.

Indoor cacti are the perfect blend of beauty and resilience, bringing a touch of nature’s uniqueness into your home with minimal effort. With just a bit of sunlight and occasional watering, these hardy plants will thrive, adding charm and a calming presence to any indoor space.