Want your collection to have cacti that bloom in summer? Here is the list and also ways to trigger the flowers.
If you’re already growing cacti, you know they’re not just drought-tolerant warriors covered in spines—they’re full of surprises! Especially when they bloom. Here’s how to enjoy those summer flowers and what you can do to help them along.
Best Cactus That Bloom in Summer
Just one note before we begin—while most of these bloom in summer, flowering can slightly shift depending on your local climate, sunlight, and care routine.
1. Brazilian Cactus
Botanical Name: Parodia magnifica
Summer is the season to kick back and let your garden show off—and the Brazilian cactus does just that. Loved for its neat shape, it stays solitary in pots but forms colonies in the ground. In summer, it flaunts pale yellow blooms with delicate, chiffon-like petals.
2. Fishhook Cactus
Botanical Name: Ferocactus herrerae
Straight from Mexico’s coastal plains, this Ferocactus is famous for its curved, hook-like spines. But behind the tough look, it puts out bold red and pink flowers in summer.
Note: Avoid moving or repotting this cactus often—it likes staying put, especially when it’s gearing up to bloom.
3. Blue Barrel Cactus
Botanical Name: Ferocactus glaucescens
The Blue Barrel Cactus, with bluish-grey skin and golden spines, is an amazing Mexican native. In full sun, it produces bright yellow flowers that circle the top like a crown.
To trigger flowering, put the plant in a sunny outdoor location, ensure excellent drainage, and provide a winter dormancy period to mimic its native dry-season conditions. A balanced cactus fertilizer in spring can give it the boost it needs.
4. Gentry’s Hedgehog Cactus
Botanical Name: Echinocereus gentryi var. cucumis
This one is a pretty rare variant of the Hedgehog cactus! Native to northeastern Mexico, it is best known for its cucumber-like stem shape. In summer, it boasts showy magenta-pink blooms with darker centers, attracting bees and butterflies.
To get it to flower, you need to create an “artificial” desert environment with intense sunlight, sparse water in winter, and, of course, a loose, airy potting mix. Like other Echinocereus species, it will bloom better with cool nighttime temperatures and a period of dryness before the flowering season.
5. Old Lady Cactus
Botanical Name: Mammillaria hahniana
This fuzzy, cottony cactus is a charmer! Covered in white spines and hairs, it grows in clumps and produces a crown of pink-purple flowers from late spring through summer.
Bright indirect light, dry winters, and slightly root-bound pots help it bloom best.
6. Thimble Cactus
Botanical Name: Mammillaria gracilis fragilis
This tiny cactus forms clusters of white-spined “thimbles” that look soft and frosted. Don’t let the size fool you—it gives you small yellow blooms in summer. Keep it in bright, filtered light, away from cold air. It blooms more when slightly stressed.
Be gentle—it drops offsets at the slightest touch!
7. Fishbone Cactus
Botanical Name: Epiphyllum anguliger
Did you know that this interesting cactus actually hails from the rainforests of Mexico and is more of an epiphyte? Also called the Ric Rac or Zigzag Cactus, this species is not your typical desert cactus, but it deserves a spot in this list!
It blooms in late summer to fall with large, fragrant night flowers—creamy white with pink tips. For flowers, give it cooler nights (15–18°C), indirect light, and let it dry out a bit in spring.
Pro tip: In late spring, you should start fertilizing with a bloom booster to promote flowering.
8. Rainbow Hedgehog Cactus
Botanical Name: Echinocereus rigidissimus rubrispinus
True to its name, the Rainbow Hedgehog Cactus features an attractive array of spines in pink, red, and white that create a striped appearance. Native to northern Mexico and southern Arizona, it stays solitary and doesn’t form offsets.
In summer, you will find vibrant magenta-pink flowers with a yellow or orange center, each about 3 inches wide, lasting several days. To encourage blooming, give it full sun, avoid frequent repotting, and offer a dry winter rest to mimic its natural habitat.
9. Peanut Cactus
Botanical Name: Echinopsis chamaecereus
Any idea why this clumping cactus is named so? Well, the finger-like stems actually resemble peanuts standing on end. These are ribbed, soft-spined, and can even trail attractively over the sides of pots or hanging baskets.
In late spring and summer, you will love the scarlet-orange trumpet-shaped blooms, which bloom often in large numbers when the plant is mature. This cactus prefers cooler night temperatures, filtered sun, and slightly crowded roots to bloom like a dream come true!
10. Domino Cactus
Botanical Name: Echinopsis subdenudata
Also known as the Easter Lily Cactus, the Domino cactus is small and globular with woolly white “areoles” that resemble polka dots on a dark green surface. Of course, this is what gives the plant its name!
It produces large, scented, trumpet-shaped white flowers, often bigger than the cactus itself. These typically bloom at night in the warmer months. For best flowering, keep it in bright light, allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings, and reduce watering during winter.
So, these were some of the best summer-blooming cacti to have in your garden this year. Did you enjoy the flowering tips we gave? Let us know in the comments below!
