Nature balances both things, beautiful and scary. Here are 5 cacti with yellow flowers that may be thorny but are also charming!
Yellow represents sunshine and energy, while cactus shows endurance and resilience! So, why not have the combination of both and grow some cacti with yellow flowers to fill your garden or home with great positive energies? Read along!
Cacti with Yellow Flowers
1. Star Cactus
Botanical Name: Astrophytum asterias
Though a pretty small cactus, it packs a punch! The Star cactus is actually a spineless one and is known for its flat, round body that showcases eight prominent ribs. It grows to a height of only 2 inches maximum and thrives best in a well-draining cactus soil mix.
Native to southern Texas and northern Mexico, what makes this cactus quite a star is its gorgeous, vibrant yellow flowers with distinct orange centers.
2. HedgeHog Cactus
Botanical Name: Echinopsis ‘June Moon’
Are you looking for a beautiful cactus to add to your indoor collection? Well, you have hit the jackpot! The Hedgehog cactus is perfect for small spaces and the indoors, thanks to its compact, columnar form. It generally attains a height of 6 inches to a foot on average.
But what this hybrid cactus is best known for is its stunning, trumpet-shaped, yellow flowers that display a unique phenomenon called nyctinasty. They usually open late at night or early morning but close around mid-morning. Though the blooms are short-lived, they compensate with their beauty!
3. Twisted Barrel Cactus
Botanical Name: Ferocactus herrerae
This barrel cactus, native to northern Mexico, is often a favorite for cactus lovers for several reasons. Firstly, it showcases distinct twisted ribs, super sharp spines, and most importantly, bright orange or yellow flowers!
All of these collectively make for great visual appeal, especially for more arid, desert-type landscapes. It thrives in dry conditions and, unsurprisingly, has excellent drought tolerance.
4. Bishop’s Cap
Botanical Name: Astrophytum myriostigma
Packing the best points of the first two cacti on this list, Bishop’s Cap does not just boast a distinctive, columnar shape, but it is also spineless. It stands out because of its distinctive ribbed body, which gives it a star-like appearance. Additionally, its smooth green skin can sometimes show white specks, which enhances its aesthetic!
Most importantly, it blooms with elegant yellow flowers, which arise right from the crown of the plant, so it look quite interesting!
5. Texas Rainbow Cactus
Botanical Name: Echinocereus dasyacanthus
Looking to amp up your spring flowering plant collection? Add the Texas Rainbow cactus — it is one that no one would expect! It can bloom both with yellow or pink flowers as spring arrives, and these look quite exquisite, blooming over its dense, colorful spines.
The best part is that you can grow this cactus anywhere, regardless of whether it’s in a container or a rock garden! Like the Twisted Barrel cactus, the Texas Rainbow also can survive the harshest, sunniest conditions, thanks to its extreme drought-tolerance. Its bold color and texture make it perfect for any desert landscape.
6. Tom Thumb Cactus
Botanical Name: Parodia mammulosa
This is yet another adorable cactus with beautiful yellow flowers to add to your collection. It is quite small and globular in shape, with dark green ribs against prominent white or pale brown spines. It blooms with striking, funnel-shaped flowers throughout spring and summer.
You can grow it both in indoor containers and rock gardens, provided you can get a nice, sunny spot for it.
7. Prickly Pear Cactus
Botanical Name: Opuntia humifusa
Also known as the “Devil’s Tongue”, the Prickly Pear cactus is native throughout the eastern United States. It features thick, flattened pads with needle-like spines and grows to about a height of 6 inches. Blooming from May to July, the showy yellow flowers are always the center of attraction, especially because of their bright red centers!
After the Prickly Pear is done blooming, it produces red, cone-shaped, fleshy fruit capsules that contain seeds. All kinds of animals, including birds, opossums, and raccoons, eat the fruits and help disperse the seeds.
Its edible fruit, often called “tuna,” is used to make jams, jellies, and even refreshing drinks—so you get beauty and usefulness in one!
8. Agave Cactus
Botanical Name: Leuchtenbergia principis
The Agave cactus has several names, including Cob Cactus and Prism Cactus and it is primarily known for its yellow flowers. Native to north-central Mexico, it has been named so because of its shape, which resembles an agave in the way of long, tube-like limbs, papery spikes, and a long taproot.
You will find this cactus blooming from late spring through summer. One fun fact about this cactus is that it grows easily from seeds!
Did you know? Yellow is also a symbol of friendship, so gifting someone a yellow-flowered cactus is like sending a sunny hug with thorns!
And that’s all about beautiful cacti with yellow flowers. Have you come across any varieties that are not on the list? Let us know in the comments below!
