If you live in an area with lots of wildlife, then some of these Spiny succulents can be your great pick—have a look!
Spiny succulents on this listing are just like beauty with brains as they are grown for their noteworthy resilience , beautiful show , and long - lasting fellowship . So , choose desirable buddies for your expanse !
Why Do Succulents Have Spines on Their Body?
Those sharp spines on succulent are n’t just for show — they’re a built - in defense mechanism . Spines deter animals from nibbling on the racy stem and leaves , which stack away valued water , especially all important in desert environments where every bead calculate .
Besides protection , spines also work as a sun blocker by shadow the plant ’s surface , helping it hold onto moisture for longer .
Plant’s Morphology
When it comes to identifying spiny succulent , it ’s helpful to understand a morsel about their build . Although thorns , spines , and prickles might all seem similar , they actually come from dissimilar persona of the plant and wait on the same protective purpose . Here ’s a speedy guide :
Best Spiny Succulents
1. Silver Torch Cactus
Botanical Name : Cleistocactus strausii
The silver or woolly torch cactus is native to Bolivia and Argentina . It grows fast , take form numerous vertical , column - like stems cover with cushy white spine . Each saltation and summertime , you may see its large , funnel - shaped , deep magenta flowers that bloom for 4 - 5 years are just ice on the bar !
Thriving in full to fond ghost with moderate watering requirements to encourage proper root ontogeny . Plus , unlike typical cacti , it prefers cool temperature and can resist hard hoar as small as 14 ° F without issue .
2. Staghorn Cholla
Botanical Name : Cylindropuntia versicolor
The Staghorn Cholla cactus is regain predominantly in small area of South Arizona , particularly in Tucson . It has a tree diagram - like structure characterized by good branches reaching up to 6 substructure and purple - green stems containing short , bristle - like spines .
The spines are short and do not overlap each other , like the Buckhorn cholla . They can easily come away and cause skin vexation upon contact so , just be very careful to handle it .
3. Prickly Pear
Botanical Name : Opuntia genus Ficus - indica
Prickly Pear is a one - paddled cactus with long spines that , from a distance , almost resemble a hedgehog . In scientific terms , we call these backbone glochids . Humans can well hit them from plants , hack them , and then give them to animals to deplete .
This plant is cultivate for its fruits and cladodes ( leaflike base ) and is used as a dearth food in position of droughts or uttermost poorness . Young stems are used to make veggie , while the erstwhile one are for forage .
4. Golden Barrel Cactus
Botanical Name : Echinocactus grusonii
The Golden Barrel Cactus has a round - bow succulent body with bright golden spur stock from the areoles . With eld , the plant becomes oblong and embark on to flex towards the southern instruction , earning its moniker “ reach cactus . ”
If you want to rise it , then the good locating would be among large tilt or border where they receive full to fond Sunday and need well - debilitate soil with minimal lachrymation , especially when the soil is dry !
5. Joshua Tree
Botanical Name : Yucca brevifolia
This works is famous for its discrete forms and resiliency . The Joshua tree is a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree - sized succulent that grows easy and can reach 20 to 70 feet . It is also pop as the ‘ oldest living plant , ’ as it can live around150 old age — yes , you learn right !
Plus , it has a single principal trunk with stringy cork - similar bark , rounded branches , and clusters of leaves with spin on tips . blossom look to have panicle each quantify 1 - 2 inches long .
6. Totem Pole Cactus
Botanical Name : Pachycereus schottii var . flagitious
You will see Totem Pole cactus spring up wildly in candelabrum - similar arrangement , which means it has legion , grandiloquent , columnlike stems branching out with irregularly shaped rib and few flyspeck spur or bristles . It has edible , strawberry - like reddish fruits .
Thrives in utmost Lord’s Day and warmth but not prolonged hoar . It can grow near tall dark-skinned bulwark or ornamental container .
7. Pincushion Cactus
Botanical Name : Mammillaria spp .
look like a spiny globe ? Is n’t . But it is a cactus from the Cactaceae family , aboriginal to the USA and South America . bang for its heavy stem , spines , and funnel shape - shaped flowers that form a ring at the top columnar .
If you are concerned in growing this repeated knockout , then keep it in full Dominicus or bright , direct sunlight . In hot weather , shift to some afternoon - shaded orbit . Remember , cactus - intermixture soil is essential for Pincushion Cactus .
8. Thimble Cactus
Botanical Name : Mammillaria gracilis fragilis
Straight from Mexico , the Thimble Cactus is a perennial succulent whose dark light-green stalk are covered with spines and can grow less than 6 inches . It grows near in full or bright sun and well - drained cactus soil . To encourage bloom , you must change the flora to a dusty emplacement in spring .
These types of succulents are develop specially for their tough nature , tolerating different climatic condition . But that does n’t have in mind they do n’t need your attending .
9. Butterfly Agave
Botanical Name : Agave ‘ Kissho kan ’
It is an evergreen , perennial plantthat form symmetrical rosettes of blockheaded , silver - blue to racy - green leave-taking deck with toothed margin and needle - corresponding reddish - brown spines . These spines can be risky to man and plague , so it would be estimable to plant them away from paths or paseo .
stocky and versatile , it prosper easy in portable containers and , on maturing , produces shoots that can be easy propagate .
Note : Always wear out gloves , refuge glasses , long - sleeved shirts , and unsympathetic - toe shoes whenever handling sharp needles !
10. Devil’s Tongue
Botanical Name : Ferocactus wislizeni
The Devil ’s Tongue is a bold , gun barrel - shape cactus with foresighted spines cover up its fatheaded base . Growing up to one beat high , it blooms in late autumn with small , funnel - mould efflorescence , followed by ellipse fruits . If you love desert gardens , then this cactus is just everlasting for it .
