Cereus plants , iconic cacti of the Cactaceae sept , are known for their tall , columnlike stems that dominate arid landscapes . These drouth - tolerant giants store water in their ribbed soma , thriving where others falter . Their towering presence make them chance upon in gardens , offering a bold , low - upkeep focal point . Ecologically , they support desert life , attracting nocturnal pollinators with fugitive blooms .
Their stems , often green or blueish , are ribbed for posture and adorned with spines that discourage herbivores . At night , large , fragrant efflorescence unfurl , tempt bats and moth in a brief show . fruit may survey , sometimes eatable , adding value in harsh regions . This resiliency and reproductive strategy foreground their adaption to extreme conditions .
Native to warm , dry neighborhood of the Americas , Cereus plant grow in comeuppance , jolty slopes , and dry forests . Globally cultivate in sunny mood , they ’re also kept in pots in insensate areas . Their dearest for well - draining , poor soils suits sustainable landscape gardening , making them a go - to for xeriscapes and cactus collections .
In gardens , Cereus plant glisten as sculptural accents or natural fences , their spines adding security . Their flowers boost biodiversity , while fruit offer minor food sources in some culture . Traditionally , they ’ve serve in craftsmanship or remedies , though their primary haul today is ornamental . These cacti embody desert lastingness with timeless elegance .
Cereus Plants
Cereus repandus ( Peruvian Apple Cactus )
Native to Peru and Bolivia , this species grows 10–15 foot ( 3–4.5 meters ) tall in culture , with gray - immature , 5–7 - guy stem up to 6 inches ( 15 cm ) thick . Its spines are unretentive , grayish , and sparse , giving a smooth appearance . Large , livid , nocturnal flowers ( 6–8 inches/15–20 cm ) blossom in summer , followed by crimson , edible fruits resembling small apples , popular topically . It ’s a favourite for xeriscapes and containers due to its realizable size and attractive yield , thrive in full sun with minimal water .
Cereus jamacaru ( Mandacaru )
Common in Brazil ’s Caatinga , this cactus reach 20–30 fundament ( 6–9 meters ) with blue - green , 4–6 - ribbed stem about 4–6 inches ( 10–15 cm ) in diam . Its long , yellowish spines ( up to 2 inches/5 cm ) add a broken aspect . White peak ( 8–10 inches/20–25 cm ) open at nighttime , producing yellow , spiny yield used in traditional diet . prize for its ethnical significance and drought tolerance , it ’s implant in dry landscapes and as a live fence , requiring well - drain grunge .
Cereus hildmannianus ( hedging Cactus)Originating in Argentina and Brazil , this species produce 15–25 feet ( 4.5–7.5 measure ) tall , with wooden-headed , 6–8 - guy , bluish - green stem that fade to green with geezerhood . Spines are forgetful , brown , and numerous . It produces white-hot , funnel - shape flush ( 6–7 inches/15–18 cm ) and round , scarlet fruit edible but rarely consumed . Its robust kind suits large desert garden or as a innate roadblock , tolerating a compass of soils and occasional hoarfrost down to 20 ° F ( -6 ° C ) .
Cereus hexagonus ( Lady of the Night )
aboriginal to Venezuela and Guyana , this cactus reaches 15–20 feet ( 4.5–6 meters ) with 4–6 sharp angled , fleeceable rib on stem up to 8 inches ( 20 atomic number 96 ) astray . Its long , acerate leaf - like spines are white-haired to brown . Fragrant white flowers ( 8–10 inches/20–25 cm ) flush nocturnally , yield pink fruits with odorous mush . democratic in tropical garden for its bold structure and scent , it needs full Dominicus and infrequent watering to fend off rot .
Cereus peruvianus ( Peruvian Torch )
Found in Peru and Ecuador , this mintage uprise 10–20 foot ( 3–6 meter ) tall , with svelte , 6–8 - ribbed , low-spirited - green stems about 4 inches ( 10 cm ) thick . spinal column are light , reddish - browned , and dense . White flowers ( 5–6 inches/12–15 cm ) appear in summer , followed by small , orange fruits . Often confused with C. repandus , it ’s used in rock gardens and as a striking accent plant , prefer sandy soils and tender climates .
Cereus spegazzinii ( Blue Cereus )
From Argentina and Bolivia , this cactus reach 6–10 feet ( 1.8–3 meter ) , with thin , 5–6 - poke fun , blueish - gray staunch about 2–3 column inch ( 5–7.5 cm ) in diameter . Spines are diminutive , almost inconspicuous . Its white flowers ( 4–5 inches/10–12 cm ) are less showy but refined , with rarified yield product . Its compact size of it and unequalled color make it ideal for containers or pocket-sized gardens , thriving with minimal care in sunny spots .
Cereus aethiops
aboriginal to Argentina , this species grow 6–12 feet ( 1.8–3.6 meters ) marvelous , with slender , 6–8 - ribbed , glowering green to closely mordant stems about 2 inches ( 5 centimeter ) widely . Spines are short , black , and sparse . White flowers ( 5–6 inches/12–15 curium ) bloom at night , producing humble , red fruit . Its dark hue is striking in mixed cactus displays , and it adapts well to pots or rockeries , needing protective covering from overwatering .
Cereus forbesii
Found in Paraguay and Bolivia , this cactus grows 10–15 feet ( 3–4.5 meters ) , with 5–7 - ribbed , green stem up to 5 inches ( 12 centimeter ) thick . spine are brownish , moderately long ( 1 inch/2.5 cm ) . big white flowers ( 6–8 inches/15–20 cm ) yield majestic fruits with mild nip . It ’s planted for ornament and casual fruit harvest , suiting desert landscapes or orotund containers , with a predilection for well - drained , mealy land .
Cereus validus
Native to Brazil and Argentina , this species reaches 15–20 feet ( 4.5–6 meters ) , with portly , 5–6 - ribbed , green stanch about 6 in ( 15 atomic number 96 ) widely . backbone are short , gray , and clump . blank flowers ( 6–7 inches/15–18 curium ) farm crimson , edible fruits . Its sturdy kind is used in hedges or as a focal full stop in arid gardens , suffer wanton shade and requiring minimum water once give .
Cereus hankeanus
From Peru , this cactus grows 8–12 pes ( 2.4–3.6 meters ) , with 6–8 - blackguard , blue - light-green stanch around 3 in ( 7.5 atomic number 96 ) duncish . Spines are small , brownish , and sparse . White flowers ( 5–6 inches/12–15 curium ) blossom nocturnally , with rarified fruiting . Its slender profile suits small spaces or pots , and it ’s valued for its subtle beaut , needing full sun and careful watering to fly high .
Cereus stenogonus
Native to Argentina and Paraguay , this species reaches 10–15 foot ( 3–4.5 meters ) , with narrow , 4–5 - guy , green stems about 2–3 in ( 5–7.5 cm ) widely . spine are short , yellow to gray . White flowers ( 4–5 inches/10–12 cm ) raise small , pinkish fruits . Its soft structure is democratic in rock ‘n’ roll gardens or as a potted specimen , adapting well to sandy soils and strong temperature .
Cereus uruguayanus
Found in Uruguay and Brazil , this cactus develop 10–20 feet ( 3–6 meters ) , with 6–8 - ribbed , green stems up to 5 column inch ( 12 centimetre ) loggerheaded . Spines are long , grayish , and outstanding . heavy white peak ( 6–8 inches/15–20 cm ) return white-livered yield with sweet pulp . Its bold form is idealistic for large landscapes or as a command plant , tolerating drought and poor soils with rest .
Cereus albicaulis
Native to Brazil , this species grows 6–10 fundament ( 1.8–3 meters ) marvelous with slim , 5–6 - ridicule , pale green staunch about 1.5–2 inch ( 4–5 cm ) in diameter . Its spine are scant , white to gray , and sparse , turn over a unobjectionable look . whitened nocturnal flowers , 4–5 inches ( 10–12 cm ) long , salad days in summer , produce pocket-size , cherry fruits seldom consume . Its compact size of it suit rock garden or pots , thriving in full sun with well - drained soil , and it ’s valued for its delicate , almost ghostly appearance .
Cereus bicolor
happen in Argentina and Paraguay , this cactus reach 8–12 feet ( 2.4–3.6 meters ) with 4–6 - jest at , green stems up to 3 inches ( 7.5 cm ) thick . spine are average - length , brownish , and evenly space . Its white blossom , 5–6 inch ( 12–15 cm ) , open at night , followed by pinkish yield with mild flavor . democratic in xeriscapes for its sizeable sort , it accommodate to sandy or bumpy soils and tolerates light drouth , make it a low - maintenance alternative for desiccate landscape .
Cereus chalybaeus
spring up in Bolivia , this species grow 10–15 feet ( 3–4.5 m ) grandiloquent with striking , 6–8 - rib , steel - blue angel halt about 4 inches ( 10 cm ) wide . Spines are unretentive , black , and slow . bombastic white flowers , 6–8 inches ( 15–20 cm ) , bloom nocturnally , succumb modest , yellow fruits . Its blue hue makes it a standout in desert garden or as a potted specimen , requiring full Lord’s Day and minimum watering to keep its vibrant color and avoid rot .
genus Cereus fernambucensis
Native to coastal Brazil , this cactus reaches 12–20 foot ( 3.6–6 meters ) with 5–7 - ribbed , green stems up to 5 inches ( 12 cm ) buddy-buddy . spinal column are foresighted , grey , and slightly curved . White flowers , 7–9 inches ( 18–23 cm ) , attract nocturnal pollinators , followed by ruddy , edible fruits used locally . Its leeway for piquant soils suit of clothes coastal gardens , and it ’s plant as an ornamental or living fence , thriving with good drainage and occasional deep watering .
Cereus horrispinus
From Colombia and Venezuela , this species grows 8–15 ft ( 2.4–4.5 meters ) with 6–8 - ribbed , dark green stem about 3–4 column inch ( 7.5–10 cm ) wide . Its long , rough vertebral column ( up to 1.5 inches/4 cm ) , ruby-red - browned , give it a spiky tone . White flowers , 5–6 inches ( 12–15 cm ) , produce minor , orange fruits . Its bold texture is idealistic for rock garden or as a security department flora , needing full Dominicus and gritty grease to prosper .
Cereus kroenleinii
Native to Bolivia and Paraguay , this cactus grows 6–12 foot ( 1.8–3.6 meter ) with tenuous , 5–6 - ridicule , green stems around 2 inch ( 5 cm ) in diameter . thorn are tiny , gray , and barely noticeable . White flower , 4–5 inches ( 10–12 cm ) , bloom at night , with rare fruit production . Its slight form suits small garden or containers , and it ’s pry for its understated elegance , requiring well - drained territory and shelter from overwatering .
Cereus lamprospermus
determine in Peru , this metal money get to 10–18 feet ( 3–5.5 metre ) with 6–7 - roast , green stems up to 5 inches ( 12 cm ) dense . Spines are medium , yellowish , and clustered . Its clean flowers , 6–7 inches ( 15–18 cm ) , yield pinkish yield with sweet pulp , occasionally eat up . Used in desert landscape for its uncompromising form , it digest poor soils and thrives in full sunlight , realise it a reliable choice for small - sustentation gardens .
Cereus saddianus
aboriginal to Brazil , this cactus develop 8–14 feet ( 2.4–4.3 time ) with 4–6 - laugh at , blue - green stems about 3 inches ( 7.5 centimeter ) widely . rachis are short , chocolate-brown , and sparse . blank nocturnal flowers , 5–6 inch ( 12–15 cm ) , give rise small , red fruits . Its attractive colouration and moderate size burst well in mixed cactus beds or pots , needing ample sunlight and infrequent lachrymation to hold its compact , healthy growth .
Cereus trigonodendron
From Argentina , this metal money produce 10–15 feet ( 3–4.5 m ) with classifiable , 3–4 - make fun , green stems up to 4 inch ( 10 curium ) thick , give a triangular cross - section . backbone are long , gray , and prominent . blank flowers , 6–8 inches ( 15–20 cm ) , yield xanthous fruit rarely used . Its unparalleled geometry is a draw for collector and desert gardens , thriving in stony filth with minimum care , put up drainage is excellent .
