Are you in love with uniquely shaped plants? Check out these cactus varieties that look like sea creatures—read on!
Nature loves to surprise us with the weirdest and most amazing plants in the strangest places. And these cactus varieties that look like sea creatures are proof that you might need to look at them twice to confirm whether they are cacti or strange creatures.
Cactus Varieties that Look like Sea Creatures
1. Sea Urchin Cactus
Botanical Name: Astrophytum asterias
One look at this cactus and you can tell exactly why it is named so! It will remind you of a sea urchin, although a bit flattened. Plus, unlike what you would normally expect a cactus to be, with a forbidding look and spines, this cactus has none!
In fact, this cactus species actually has little white dots all over its body that often look like abstract star patterns and sea urchin tubercles. Pretty cool, right?
It stays small and compact, perfect for tabletops or sunny windowsills. Did you know it is also often called the Sand Dollar cactus?
2. Coral Cactus
Botanical Name: Euphorbia lactea ‘Cristata’
As the name suggests, the coral cactus resembles coral. But not just any coral— it looks like the brain coral! Quite unique, isn’t it? Besides that, you might also find it looking a little like the sea fan thanks to its wavy, crested top. It looks as though it is grafted onto another stem.
That’s because it usually is—this plant is actually a grafted hybrid.
But yet another amazing feature about the coral cactus is that it comes in various shades like purple, pink, and green hues!
3. Blue Myrtle Cactus
Botanical Name: Myrtillocactus geometrizans ‘Fukurokuryuzinboku’
Besides the mouthful of a scientific name, this cactus is weird in several ways. On one hand, this nursery-produced cultivar has earned the name ‘Breast cactus’ for the rounded protrusions all over, and white specks on top of each.
On the other hand, you will also see it resembles coral with rounded outgrowths. It also depends on the perspective, doesn’t it?
4. Peyote Cactus
Botanical Name: Lophophora williamsii
Ever seen a sea sponge pretending to be a cactus? That’s kind of what the Peyote reminds you of. It’s smooth, round, and button-like, with soft fuzzy tufts that could easily be mistaken for something you’d find washed up on a beach.
Plus, it’s completely spineless! This cactus has cultural significance too—it’s considered sacred in some indigenous traditions.
5. Brain Cactus
Botanical Name: Mammillaria elongata ‘Cristata’
True to its name, this cactus looks just like a brain. But with a bit of imagination, it might also remind you of a twisted sea anemone. Its stems coil and curl in hypnotic patterns, and its dense spines resemble the tiny hairs or tentacles seen on marine creatures.
It’s one of those plants that looks different from every angle and grows in unpredictable shapes—just like waves under the sea.
6. Paper Spine Cactus
Botanical Name: Tephrocactus articulatus var. papyracanthus
This cactus is quite the oddball. Its thin, papery spines crisscross like dried seaweed or coral tendrils. It almost appears to be floating, as if underwater.
When backlit by sunlight, the delicate spines give it an ethereal look—almost like underwater foliage swaying with the tide. Definitely a quirky one for your collection.
7. Turbinicarpus
Botanical Name: Turbinicarpus pseudopectinatus
Turbinicarpus is a whole genus full of marine-looking oddities, but this species stands out. It has a tiny, rounded body covered in soft, white radial spines that resemble barnacles or sea snails.
Basically, the body of this cactus is covered with soft, white radial spines that look like the marine creatures called barnacles, often found on the bodies of sea animals. In the plant world, these white spines are called “tubercles,” and they are arranged all over in a comb-like fashion.
8. Medusa’s Head
Botanical Name: Euphorbia flanaganii
Though not technically a cactus (it’s a succulent), this plant makes the list thanks to its sea-creature-like look. Its snake-like arms radiate from a central “head,” just like a starfish or sea anemone.
You will find its growth habit almost mimicking that of a snake with a central ‘head’ and radiating arms or branches.
This list pretty much sums up a lot of species that are often out of our reach or sight. Which cactus (or succulent) was most surprising to you? Let us know in the comments below!
