The Top 10 Cacti For Beginner Gardeners To Tackle

Plants are nature's gift to us. Being in green spaces lifts your mood, promotes relaxation, and eases stress. Not only do plants benefit us, but they also better the environment since they act as natural air filters. Plus, the colorful flowers are nice to look at. Having your own garden unlocks a new relationship with Mother Earth. However, if you don't have a green thumb, you can still join in on the fun with succulents, which are low-maintenance, adaptable, and among the easiest plants to grow. And cacti are the perfect succulent to dip your toes in.

Cacti are great for outdoor gardens and spectacular plants for decorating your home. We have the top 10 cactus species that are easy to care for and can still thrive even if you're not the best plant parent. Once you have cactus potting soil, then you only need to tend to the sunlight and water needs of your succulent.

The Christmas cactus, also known as the Thanksgiving cactus and holiday cactus, has flat leaves that sprout pink blossoms on the end. Unlike a lot of cacti, this plant likes shade and humidity. Partial sun, a cool spot, and moist soil create a healthy home for this colorful cactus. Water your succulent every seven to 10 days. Extreme heat and frigid temperatures can harm the plant, so make sure it is in the right spot. Otherwise, it should thrive without any problems.

Prickly pears, aka Opuntia, are one of the most popular types of these succulents. The fruit, pads, and even the flowers of most Opuntia varieties are edible. All these cacti need is full sun with well-drained soil. Prickly pears are drought tolerant, so this is a house plant that you barely need to water. Twice a month in summer and once a month every other season is the only drink they need. Too much moisture can actually cause them to rot.

Orchid cacti are another tropical cactus plant. Similar to the Christmas cactus, this succulent has flat, long stems with pretty flowers on the end. The leaves can grow several feet long and the colorful blossoms several inches wide. Orchid cacti prefer partial shade and well-drained soil. They should be watered at least once a week. Once the topsoil dries out, the cactus needs a drink.

Short and stubby is what you get with a barrel cactus. This succulent, named after its shape, is easy to care for. It likes dry, hot weather. In the summertime, watering once per week will do fine, while in the winter, once a month does the job. You should know you're doing everything right when the yellow flowers bloom in the spring.

Heart-shaped plant, anyone? This succulent is great for beginner gardeners. It doesn't require lots of watering or a tedious feeding schedule. If you place your hoya heart cactus in a well-lit area and let its soil dry out before watering (approximately every two weeks), it will thrive. This succulent is not a fan of frigid weather, so don't let your heart turn cold.

A. flagelliformis, better known as the rat tail cactus, is the perfect hanging houseplant. Its furry, spiky, and long cylindrical leaves droop downward and usually have red flowers. Full sun is the way to go with this cactus. The soil should be slightly moistened and well drained. During the winter season, your rat tail cactus doesn't care too much for water — just avoid letting the soil completely dry out.

Cacti take many shapes, and bunny ears is one of them. This succulent likes full sun the majority of the year, and partial sun in the winter. It is not a frigid weather fan and takes a break from water in the cold season. When you do water this plant, the soil needs to completely dry out before the next round of hydration. Bunny ears cacti typically need to be repotted every other year.

Bishop's cap is a star-shaped cactus with pale yellow flowers as its crown. It is another cactus that doesn't require a lot of watering. A weekly drink of water once the soil is dry is all this succulent needs. However, it does like a lot of sunlight, so full sun is best. It is native to areas with little rainfall and high heat.

If your thumbs are far from green, the hedgehog cactus is a great plant to start with. It is adaptable and low-maintenance. Well-drained soil and warmth are key to your hedgehog cactus flourishing. Sunlight and partial shade are ideal for a healthy cactus. This succulent can withstand extreme heat but not intense cold. Like its cousins, just water it when the soil is completely dry.

Another beginner-friendly cactus is the drought-tolerant pincushion cactus. Also known as the mammillaria cactus, this succulent prefers lots of sunlight and low humidity. During the winter months, your plant won't need watering, but once a week is the perfect hydration schedule during the other seasons. The loose potting soil should be dry before watering again. The pincushion cactus is a beautiful plant with round heads and vibrant flowers.