9 Best Tall Cactus Plants For Your Gardens

Cacti are not tall plants, but they can grow tall if you allow them to. These desert plants have been known to grow up to 20 feet tall in the wild! They can range from minor and squatty up to wide and tall. If you’re looking for some great tall cactus plants for your garden.

Plantly will provide you with these nine varieties that are worth checking out.

Tall Cactus Plant Ideas

Golden barrel cactus

golden barrel cactus

Golden barrel cactus are large cactus plants that can grow up to 3 feet tall and consider one of the most popular cactus varieties in the world. They’re indigenous to Mexico and the southwestern United States, and they are often used as ornamental desert plants in landscaping.

Golden barrel cacti have a distinctively round shape, and they are covered in spines that range in color from yellow to brown. The cacti produce stunning flowers that are typically yellow or orange, and they bloom in the springtime.

Golden barrel cacti require full sun and well-drained soil, and they are drought-tolerant once they are established. These cacti make an excellent addition to any desert landscape.

Saguaro cactus

Saguaro cactus

The Saguaro Cactus is one of the most iconic plants of the American Southwest. These tall, slow-growing cacti can grow to be over 40 feet tall and live for hundreds of years. In addition to their impressive size, Saguaro cacti are notable for their flowers, which come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, and red.

While they are often associated with hot, desert conditions, Saguaro cacti are quite sensitive to extreme heat and cold. As a result, they are only found in a limited range of native habitats in the Sonoran Desert.

Despite being slow-growing cacti, Saguaro cacti are an essential part of the desert ecosystem. They provide shelter and food for a wide range of animals, including woodpeckers, owls, and bees. In addition, their large size makes them an essential source of shade and shelter in an otherwise harsh environment.

Organ pipe cactus

organ pipe cactus

The organ pipe cactus is a tall, slender cactus that is native to the desert regions of Mexico and the southwestern United States. Its name comes from its distinctive shape, which resembles a row of pipe organs.

The organ pipe cactus is one of the largest cactus plants, reaching heights of up to 26 feet. It is also one of the most striking cacti, with long, white spines that contrast sharply against its green body. In addition to its impressive appearance, the organ pipe cactus is also a good choice for gardeners who want a drought-tolerant plant.

Once established, it requires very little water and can tolerate extended periods of drought. It is also relatively resistant to pests and diseases. For these reasons, this cactus is an excellent choice for those looking to add an exotic touch to their garden.

Mexican fence post cactus

Mexican fence post cactus

The Mexican fence post cactus is a tall, spiny plant that is native to the deserts of Mexico and the southwestern United States. These large cactus plants can grow up to 20 feet tall and are covered in sharp spines.

Mexican fence post cactus are often used as ornamental plants in gardens and landscaping. These cactus plants are also a popular food source for predators such as deer, rabbits, and rodents.

Blue myrtle cactus

Blue myrtle cactus

Tall cacti plants are often admired for their impressive height and stately appearance and the blue myrtle cactus is no exception. This member of the cactus family can grow to be over 15 feet tall, making it one of the largest cactus plants in existence.

Native to Mexico, this cacti is easily recognizable for its vibrant blue color. The fleshy, spiny leaves of the plant are also a striking shade of blue, which makes for a beautiful contrast against the plant’s green stems.

In addition to its eye-catching foliage, the blue myrtle cactus is also known for its large white flowers, which bloom in the springtime. Although it is not considered to be rare, the blue myrtle cactus is undoubtedly a unique and beautiful plant that is sure to add interest to any home or garden.

Candelabra cactus

Candelabra cactus

The Candelabra cactus, scientifically known as Jasminocereus thouarsii, is a tall cactus native to the Horn of Africa and parts of eastern Africa. They are also one of the largest cactus plants, with some species growing up to 15 feet tall!

The Candelabra cactus gets its name from its resemblance to a candelabra, as it has numerous sparsely located branches coming off the main stem. Each branch has smaller side branches coming off of it, and these are where the flowers bloom.

The plant is taken from the wild for medicinal and timber purposes. It’s cultivated in live fences and as ornamental. If you’re ever in an area with Candelabra cacti, be sure to take a look at these unique and beautiful plants!

Totem pole cactus

Totem pole cactus

The Totem Pole Cactus is a tall, spiky cactus that may grow to be up to12 feet high and is found in its native habitat in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and Mexico. The plant gets its name from its long, thin trunk that looks like a totem pole.

Its large spines keep protected from its predators and at the same time help with retaining moisture in its natural habitat. The Totem Pole Cactus blooms at night, and its flowers are pollinated by bees and hummingbirds.

The cactus produces a small fruit that is eaten by birds and other animals.

Mexican giant cardon cactus

Mexican giant cardon cactus

The Mexican giant cardon cactus is one of the tallest cactus plants in the world, reaching heights of up to 20 meters. The Sonoran Desert is home to the cactus plant, which can be found in a variety of habitats including desert scrubland, grassland, and rocky slopes.

The plant has a single trunk that is topped with a rosette of large, spiny leaves. The flowers of this cactus are white or pale pink, and they bloom from April to June. The plant’s fruit is edible and has a delicious, melon-like flavor.

The Mexican giant cardon cactus is an iconic species of the Sonoran Desert and is an important food source for the Seri People in Sonora and a variety of animals, including coyotes, deer, and bighorn sheep.

Eve’s needle cactus

Eve's needle cactus

Eve’s needle cactus is a cactus that can grow up to 13 feet tall. It is a large cactus plant that produces orange flowers. The Cactus Worm is native to the Peruvian Andes, Ecuador, Argentina, and Bolivia, where it was used as a living fence.

These large cactus plants are covered in spikes that can reach up to 3 inches in length, and despite their daunting appearance, Eve’s needle cacti are quite gentle. It is a slow-growing cactus that prefer full sun and well-drained soil.

And while they are drought-tolerant, they will need occasional watering during extended periods of dry weather. With their unique form and easy-care nature, Eve’s needle cacti make an ideal addition to any landscape.

Columnar cactus

Columnar cactus

Columnar cacti are tall cacti plants that grow in a column shape. They are native to desert regions of the Americas, and their tall, slender structure helps them to conserve water in hot, dry climates.

Most columnar cactus are green, but some varieties have colorful flowers that bloom in the springtime. These unusual plants make interesting additions to any desert landscape, and they are also well-suited for use as indoor plants.

Columnar cactus come in a wide range of sizes, from small varieties that only grow a few feet tall to giant species that can reach heights of 20 feet or more. No matter what size you choose, these unique plants are sure to add interest to your home or garden.

Summary

Tall cactus plants are a great addition to any garden. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they add interest and color to any landscape. These indoor and outdoor plants also have a long lifespan, so you can enjoy them for many years.

If you’re looking for a cactus plant to add to your garden, be sure to check out the nine plants we’ve listed above.

Whether you want to buy, sell or simply reach out to other plant enthusiasts, Plantly is the right place to be!

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