Growing a pink flower cactus plant can be a great way to add some robust beauty to your home or garden. Their soft, delicate pink blooms exude a distinct charm that helps transform spaces with their serene beauty whilst providing a unique aesthetic.
Resilient and striking, cacti are great for both outdoor gardens and indoor spaces. Let's dive into the fascinating world of these unique desert beauties.
From Windowsills to Gardens: Pink Cacti for Every Setting
When considering growing a cactus plant with pink flowers for your garden or as a houseplant, then it is important to know about the specific needs of the variety you are planning to grow.
While some cacti prefer bright direct sunlight, others, such as the Christmas cactus prefer indirect light. Similarly, watering requirements can vary immensely among different species. So be sure to choose a cactus that is best suited to the environment in your home.
Let's take a look at some of the more commonly grown pink flowered cactus plants:
Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii): Unlike most desert cacti, the Christmas cactus is a native of the Brazilian rainforests. This means it requires humid conditions to thrive. It has stunning pink, sometimes red, white, or purple, blooms that appear around Christmas time.
Easter Cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri): Similar in appearance to the Christmas cactus, but this one blooms around Easter. Flowers range from pink to red or lavender.
Moon Cactus (Gymnocalycium mihanovichii): This cactus can be recognized by its bright pink, orange, or yellow top which is a consequence of its lack of chlorophyll. Because it is lacking in chlorophyll (the green pigment in plants that allows photosynthesis), the Moon Cactus needs to be grafted onto another cactus to survive.
Rose Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria zeilmanniana): This plant's deep pink blooms make it a favorite among cactus enthusiasts.
Silken Pincushion (Mammillaria bombycina): Beautiful cactus with silky hair and attractive pink flowers.
Old Lady Cactus (Mammillaria hahniana): Produces a circle of pink flowers around its crown.
Lady Finger Cactus (Echinocereus pentalophus): Stunning pink flowers that are large in relation to their size.
Lace Cactus (Echinocereus reichenbachii): Striking pink flowers amid intricate spiny patterns caused by the complex arrangement of its spines.
Easter Lily Cactus (Echinopsis oxygona): This cactus can produce flowers in various colors including a striking pink.
Chamaelobivia 'Rose Quartz': This is a hybrid between Chamaecereus and Lobivia, it features bright pink flowers.
Parodia haselbergii (Scarlet Ball Cactus): A small globular cactus with silvery-green stems and radiant pink flowers. This cactus is easy to care for and does well in containers.
Rebutia narvaecensis syn. Aylostera narvaecensis: This small clustering cactus produces vibrant pink blooms. It can flower prolifically under the right conditions.
Many of the above cacti are suitable for cultivation in pots and can make excellent additions to your cactus or succulent collection.
Large Cactus with Pink Flowers
Trichocereus Hybrids (aka Echinopsis hybrids): These cacti can grow relatively large and carry strikingly large, vibrant pink blooms. The Echinopsis 'Flying Saucer' hybrid has massive saucer-shaped flowers that can be over 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter.
Peruvian Apple Cactus (Cereus peruvianus 'Monstrosus'): Flowers range from white to pink, with some specimens producing lovely pink-tinted blooms. This is a columnar cactus, and so grow quite tall (up to 33 feet, 10 meters) in the wild, and from 10 to 20 feet (3 to 6 meters) when cultivated.
Woollyjoint Prickly Pear (Opuntia robusta): This prickly pear cactus has wide, flat pads. It produces pink to magenta flowers in spring.
Texas Rainbow Cactus (Echinocereus dasyacanthus): This can grow a sizable cylindrical shape. It has bright yellow spines and vibrant pink flowers.
Best Pink Cacti for Use in the Garden
Here are some of the best cacti for growing in gardens:
- Mammillaria zeilmanniana.
- Mammillaria bombycina (Silken Pincushion).
- Mammillaria hahniana (Old Lady Cactus).
- Echinocereus pentalophus (Lady Finger Cactus).
- Echinocereus reichenbachii (Lace Cactus).
- Echinopsis oxygona (Easter Lily Cactus).
- Chamaelobivia 'Rose Quartz'.
Growing cacti in the garden is usually a very rewarding experience. They are great to grow for adding beauty and structure to a landscape, especially in a dry setting. Here are some general Cactus growing tips for garden cultivation:
Choose well-draining, sandy soil or gravel. Water sparingly, letting the soil dry completely between waterings. This is especially important in the dormant seasons during the cooler months. Over-watering can lead to root rot. It is better to under-water cacti than to let the soil become waterlogged because the cacti are not taking up water.
Most cacti prefer direct sunlight. If you are moving new plants (started Indoors) to the garden, then it is a good idea to gradually introduce them so as to avoid sunburn.
Use gloves when planting cacti out. Plant them into a hole that is slightly larger than the root ball.
Sparingly, apply a diluted, low-nitrogen cactus fertilizer during the growing season.
Look out for common pests such as mealybugs and spider mites. Pests and diseases can often be prevented by using plenty of spacing between plants.
Protect from freezing temperatures by supplying a mulch or a frost cloth, and making sure the soil is dry. You may wish to bring container grown cacti indoors.
Best Pink Cacti for use as Indoors as a Houseplant
The following cacti are often grown indoors as houseplants.
- Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii).
- Easter Cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri).
- Moon Cactus (Gymnocalycium mihanovichii).
- Parodia haselbergii (Scarlet Ball Cactus).
- Rebutia narvaecensis.
When growing Cacti indoors. It is important to use a potting mix designed for cacti. Use containers with drainage holes.
Place in a bright location, ideally near south or west-facing windows. Avoid direct intense sun, as this can scorch them. Protect them from drafts and extreme changes in temperature.
Occasionally rotating pots should lead to more even growth and correct sunlight exposure.
Water sparingly, and allow soil to dry out between watering. In winter, you may need to give them a little bit of water in dry environments, if their soil has dried out.
Feed with diluted cactus fertilizer during the growing season. Do not over-fertilize as this can result in rapid unhealthy growth, root burn, and increased vulnerability to pests.
Monitor for mealybugs (Remove using a soft brush or isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab).
Boosting Flowering Success: Top Tips for Your Cactus
Encouraging your cacti to bloom can be a tad tricky as they will require the right conditions to flower. Here are some tips for getting a cactus plant to flower:
Age: A cacti won't flower until it's reached a certain age or size.
Light: Cacti require a lot of sunlight to bloom. Ideally, provide them with indirect light for at least 10-14 hours a day during the growing season.
Seasonal Variation: It can be a good idea to mimic their natural habitat. Simulate the cool winter dormant period by reducing temperatures to about 50-55°F (10-13°C). This rest period can help to stimulate flowering in the following spring.
Watering: Reduce watering in the winter months during dormancy. Increase, once buds appear. Overwatering can inhibit flowering.
Fertilizer: Feed with a low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer during the growing season. The potassium will aid bud formation.
Soil: Use a well-draining cactus mix for best results. Refreshing the soil occasionally to provide nutrients.
Stress: Some cacti will only bloom if subjected to slight natural stresses. These can be simulated by withholding water, or by replanting into a different area.
Avoid Moving Your Cacti: Do not move plants once their buds have started to appear. Many species are sensitive to location changes while budding.
Gibberellic Acid (GA3): This plant hormone can be applied to stimulate flowering in certain reluctant cacti species. The results will vary depending on the specific cactus species.
A little bit of patience is important when growing Cacti. It can often take a few seasonal cycles of adjusting their care before the cactus will flower.
Summary
Pink-flowered cacti such as the Christmas Cactus and Moon Cactus are great for bringing beauty to a home or garden. These (mainly) desert plants have a rugged charm and often have delicate blooms.
They vary greatly in their growing requirements. Some thrive in direct sunlight, whilst others prefer indirect light. Some key cactus care aspects include using well-draining soil, avoiding overwatering, and protecting from freezing temperatures. Blooming can be encouraged through ensuring adequate light and simulating seasonal changes.
I hope that you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out my guides on how to grow Senecio articulatus, Yucca Thompsoniana, and Desert Spoon plants.
