Cactus plants are succulents adapted to thrive in hot, dry environments. They have specialized features that allow them to conserve water in arid conditions, such as thick, waxy skin and the ability to store water in their stems and leaves. Growing and caring for cactus is pretty straightforward.

Cacti also have spines instead of leaves, which reduces water loss. Some common examples of cactus plants include prickly pear, barrel cactus, saguaro, and fishhook barrel cactus. Prickly pear cacti have flat, fleshy, oval-shaped pads covered in spines. They produce edible fruits. Barrel cacti have round, bulbous shapes with robust vertical spines.

Saguaros in the Sonoran Desert grow tall columnar stems over 40 feet high. Fishhook barrel cacti have a hooked central spine and densely packed radial spines. Other cactus varieties include the low-growing pincushion, hedgehog cacti, and the Christmas cactus, a popular houseplant.

Cacti come in various shapes, sizes, and spine patterns, but they all share adaptations that allow them to thrive in hot, desert climates.

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