We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Gardening

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are Tropical Cacti?

By T. Carrier
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 18,226
Share

Tropical cacti may or may not be recognized as actual cacti species. These plants generally grow in humid conditions with bright but diminished light exposure. When removed from their native tropical climates, they are often found as ornamental plants in homes. Specific types include coral cacti, holiday cacti, and prickly pear cacti.

The native climates of tropical cacti are humid areas with plentiful vegetation. While these areas have both dry and wet seasons, when rain does fall, it is usually abundant. In general, the tropics references regions around the earth’s equator. Various types of ecosystems may characterize these areas, ranging from deciduous forests to tropical rain forests.

Specific types of tropical vegetation are classified as tropical cacti, or shade cacti. As a general rule, these varieties thrive with plenty of water and fertilizer and relatively little sun. Numerous species classified under the broad term holiday cactus — such as the Christmas Cactus — comprise one popular type of tropical cactus. Another prominent example is the coral cactus, which is native to tropical rain forests. An adaptable cactus known as opuntia — or prickly pear cactus — may also grow in tropical climates.

Sometimes, tropical cacti are not recognized as actual cacti, as they have some key differences from the traditional plants. Chiefly, regular cacti are found in very dry desert regions, and thus they are succulent, or water-storing plants. Tropical cacti, on the other hand, originate in areas where water supplies are abundant, such as rain forests. In order to adapt to their environment, traditional cacti possess certain features that are often absent in tropical varieties, including the following: a thick stem, a limited growing season, wide roots, and structures called spines in place of leaves. Tropical varieties frequently have leafy segments called phylloclade instead of spines.

These plants are often used as household or garden plants, with soil bases often consisting of sand mixtures. Proper watering and lighting care is important for cultivated tropical cacti. Light exposure should be bright and plentiful, but the plants are often resistant to direct sunlight. For some varieties, such as coral cacti, moisture in the soil should be fairly constant. Many types of holiday cacti, on the other hand, can get by with a watering every couple of days. An indoor plant can be kept in a pot in a colder climate, while outdoor plants should be moved indoors when the weather gets colder.

Share
HomeQuestionsAnswered is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By serenesurface — On May 05, 2013

I always thought that cacti do well in hot and dry climates. How do tropical cacti bear all the rain? Don't they rot?

Maybe tropical cacti really are a different type of plant altogether.

Does anyone here grow tropical cacti? Is it more difficult to care for than regular cacti? What kind of tips do you have for those who want to grow it?

By bluedolphin — On May 04, 2013

@ddljohn-- Prickly pear cacti has fruit and it's delicious. I've eaten it a couple of times, it's very sweet when ripe, tastes kind of like syrup. I think South Americans cook with prickly pear fruits but I always eat it raw.

You have to be careful about the seeds though. I once ate the seeds and it gave me diarrhea. Now I just pick the seeds out. Cacti fruit is a super food, it has tons of antioxidants so it's worth the trouble.

By ddljohn — On May 03, 2013

Do tropical cacti have fruit? Can the fruit be eaten?

Share
https://www.homequestionsanswered.com/what-are-tropical-cacti.htm
Copy this link
HomeQuestionsAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

HomeQuestionsAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.