What types of cacti are there?

Cacti are plants that conquer hearts with great ease; Not in vain, either because of its thorns or, more frequently, because of its wonderful flowers, it is very easy that there is at least one specimen accompanying human beings, making your home have something of the American deserts.

But Do you know what types of cacti there are? When they are young, anyone would say that they are all more or less the same, and it is not when they grow up that their original size is "discovered". So if you have doubts, then I will talk to you about this interesting topic.

According to its shape

Cacti are classified above all by the shape that the stem acquires, which is usually green since the task of photosynthesis falls on it as it does not have leaves. So we have:

Columns

They are that have one or more cylindrical stems that grow more or less straight, as if they were columns (hence the name). These may or may not branch, although in any case they are one of the most striking, especially if they are one of those that you have to look up to see, such as The giant carnage or saguaro.

Within this classification there are three subtypes:

• Basitone: the division occurs at the base of the stem.
• Mesotone: the division occurs towards the middle of the stem.
• Acronym: the division occurs at the tip of the stem.

Globose

They are that have a round or barrel shape. Its popularity is enormous, since there is not only a great variety but also they do not usually take up much space, which is why they are grown in patios, terraces and even in small gardens in warm-temperate regions.

The best known genera are the Echinocactus, which includes the Echinocactus grusonii (or seat of the mother-in-law), the Mammillaria or the Copiapoa. Of course, you should keep in mind that as they grow they can acquire columnar shape, but they will continue to be mostly globose.

cladode

Finally, we have cacti that have flattened stems, which we call cladodes. The genus that represents it is that of Opuntia.

no spikes

Another way to classify them is by the presence or absence of thorns. In general, the vast majority of cacti have, since that is the only way they have to protect themselves from possible predators (in addition to having other functions as I tell you in this article). But there are a few species that do not have them or that have them so short that they are barely visible, like these:

Astrophytum asterias

This small cactus is native to the southern United States and northern Mexico. It can reach 10cm in diameter and a height of 5cm, and its flowers are yellowish with the central part orange. It has no thorn whatsoever.

Echinopsis subdenudata

This is a globular cactus endemic to Bolivia and Paraguay that it can reach a height of about 10cm and a diameter of 10-15cm. It produces white flowers up to 5cm in diameter, and it does not have thorns either.

Lophophora

Cacti of the genus Lophophora are spineless plants native to Mexico. They are globular in shape and reach a height and diameter of about 5-10cm.. They produce very pretty, white-pinkish flowers.

The only two extant species, the L.williamsi and L. diffusa, They are in danger of extinction.

rhipsalis

Rhipsalis are epiphytic cacti native to Central America, South America, Africa, Madagascar, Sri Lanza, India, and Nepal. The best known species is the R. baccifera. Its stems can be flattened or cylindrical, more or less dark green, and its flowers are large, white.

Schlumbergera truncata

The Christmas cactus is a hanging plant native to Brazil that reaches a height of up to 30cm. Its segments are flattened, green in color, and it produces flowers 6-8cm long, pink, dark red or white.

Are there types of indoor cacti?

When you don't have a garden or patio but you want to enjoy a nice collection of cacti, it is normal to wonder if there are species that can be grown indoors. And well, the answer is ... no, with exceptions. Being very demanding of sunlight, if we put them indoors it is very common for them to etiolate, that is, their stems grow excessively towards a light source, and if that were not enough they weaken.

For this reason, my recommendation will always be to have them outside, or in a greenhouse in case they have to be protected from frost. However, If you have, for example, an interior patio with a glass roof or a room with windows through which a lot of light enters, then you could have cacti, any. But beware: keep in mind that if you were growing them protected from the sun you will have to do the same at home, simply not putting them right in front of the window.

For more information I recommend reading this article.

And with this I'm done. I hope you found everything you've learned useful  .