The many different types of columnar cactus

The columnar cactus is native to South America

The home of the columnar cactus is South America. There it grows in predominantly rocky terrain. It stores water in its trunks and tolerates dry periods well. None of the many types of columnar cactus is hardy. You must therefore always overwinter them indoors.

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• Identify columnar cactus - features of columnar cacti
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Identify columnar cactus

There are numerous very different looking types of cereus. In contrast to leaf cacti, however, they have some common features.

Column cacti always grow upright with only one or more trunks. Some species are hairy, others armed with thick, strong thorns.

The flower shapes range from drooping long white-red flowers to red, upright flowers.

The columnar cactus rarely blooms in indoor culture

For a columnar cactus to bloom, it must be several years old. If it is kept exclusively in indoor culture, it almost never sets flowers. Flowers occasionally form only when given a rest period in winter.

In most of the species of columnar cactus kept here, the flowers only open at night and close again in the morning.

Known species of the columnar cactus

Tips

Not all columnar cacti have long thorns. In some species, however, these are very pronounced, while others have very soft, small spines. So be careful, especially when children and pets are part of the family.