Grow Unusual and Exotic Cacti Plants from Seeds

Our favorite Cactus Seeds from around the world

I know of no other plant that can take as much abuse and neglect as the cacti and still provide us with profuse blooms and its unique appearance. They are hardy, resilient and take up very little space. Often they will grow where no other plant will. They are truly the perfect windowsill plant. I hope my low prices will make it possible for you to enjoy these magnificent plants. I have listed a few of my favorites below.


Many thanks to our friends at Sticky Situation Cacti for the use of their photos. Please visit their site for live plants.

Also, check out our:
Succulent Plant seeds
Yucca Plant seeds

1A001 EASY GROW CACTI BULK MIXTURE ( Over 1,000 Seeds )
We have packaged together a wonderful selection of easy to germinate, easy to grow cacti seeds in a bulk package for cacti lovers everywhere. This package has over a thousand seeds and includes: Lemaireocereus thurberi, Lemaireocereus prunosis, Echinocactus ingens, Ferrocactus stainsii, Pilocereus palmeri, Saguaro, Pachycereus pringlei and Opuntia engelmaniana. ( Seeds are mixed, not separated by species )
  Package of Over 1,000 seeds $9.95



D8416 Old Man of the Andes ( oreocerus )
This is a large cacti that can be used as a centerpiece or as a patio plant. It is a stout, upright cactus that covers itself with attractive, long, white woolly hairs. This also makes a great rock garden plant.
  Package of 15 seeds $1.95



D8418 Golden Barrel ( echinocactus )
A striking plant from Mexico Spherical when young becoming elongegated with age. The green body is covered with heavy gold-yellow spines. The flowers are a striking color of deep gold.
  Package of 15 seeds $1.95



Seed Packet #Z1780
Pineapple Cactus Coryphantha sulacat
Very hard seeds to come by, but much requested. A clustering type cacti with unusual appearance and large yellow flowers with red throats. Good container, rockgarden and windowsill plant.
Price per pack: $3.95
  8-10 seeds per pack.



3251 Hardy Hedgehog Cactus Echinoeereus neo-mexicanus
Hardy to 14F. "Hedgehog" cactus. Flowers stay open day and night followed by showy red fruit.
  Package of 10 seeds $2.95



RHM014 Ancistrocactus Scheeri
Globular cactus with green/brown flowers. Grows to 6", hooked spines. Good container cacti for beginners.
  Package of 10 seeds $2.95



RHM054 Top Cactus Strombocactus disciformis
Strombocactus disciformis is a rare species of cacti and the only species of the genus Strombocactus. The plant originates from Central and Northeast Mexico. Exceptionally arid type native to Mexico. Mature height is 8". White flowering with pink tips. Seeds are tiny.
  $3.95




RHM031 Coryphantha bergeriana
A conspicuous genus because of it's huge flowers. Globular shape, tight golden spines and yellow flowers with a red center.
  Package of 10 seeds $2.95



D8422 Giant Suhaurao ( carnegeia )
If you want a cacti that will outlive you and may reach a height of 30 ft. or more, then this one is for you. Its the familiar cacti shown in western film. Has a solitary trunk and outstretched limbs that resembles arms. Makes a nice container plant when young.
  Package of 15 seeds $1.95



D8427 Mexican Fire Barrel ( ferocactus )
An excellent inside/outside plant that is covered with dark red spines and produces large yellow flowers up to 5 in. in diameter. A very tolerant plant. Do not water during its winter resting period.
  Package of 15 seeds $1.95



D8428 Prickly Pear opuntia
The classic form of cacti with large flat oval pads and showy flowers. Bears beautiful, edible red, yellow or purple pear shaped fruits. This species is cold hardy. Seeds need 2 months cold treatment in the fridge, so order now!
  Package of 10 seeds $2.50




2375 Opuntia Cactus Mix Opuntia spp.
A wonderful mix of all sorts of Opuntia, some of which are never offered individually. A wide range of shapes and flower colors.
  Package of 15 seeds $2.50



2377 Texas Prickly Pear Opuntia chisosenis
A very well known prickly pear found throughout Texas, easy to grow in rock gardens and containers, huge pads and delightful yellow flowers.
  Package of 15 seeds $2.50



2374 Walking Stick Cactus Opuntia spinosior
Also known as Cane Cholla, this is a tree type cholla reaching 7 feet tall when mature, with yellow to red flowers. Very common in Arizona, New Mexico and Mexico. Good container and xeriscape plant, for zones 8-11 outside.
  Package of 15 seeds $2.50




2379 Mojave Prickly Pear Opuntia phaeacantha
For zones 7-10, said to be cold hardy to 0 degrees. An excellent xeriscape cactus, slow growing up to 3 feet tall, 6 to 15 feet in spread.
  Package of 15 seeds $2.50



2376 Bunny Ears Cacti Opuntia macrocentra
An easy to grow prickly pear type opunia with large "bunny ear" pads covered with usually dark black spines. Flowers are normally yellow with brilliant red centers. Easily grown in containers, hardy for zones 9-10 outside.
  Package of 15 seeds $2.50



D8430 Hedgehog ( echinocereus )
A must for every collection. Small and globular in shape and covered with short curving spines. Flowers profusely. It is a very tolerant plant and is a good selection for beginners.
  Package of 15 seeds $1.95



D8433 Barrel ( ferocactus )
A good selection for inside or outside. The plant assumes a columnar barrel type shape and can grow up to 3' outside. It is a heavy bloomer with large flowers. Very stout spines with a hooded central spine.
  Package of 15 seeds $1.95



D8437 Chin ( gymnocalucium )
The perfect cacti for windowsills and limited spaces. They are small and compact. They will bloom at an early age and bloom often. Flowers are white and pink, sometimes red.
  Package of 15 seeds $1.95



D8448 Arizona Organ Pipe( lemaireocerus )
A heavy, columnar plant that eventually branches from the base. Has a deep red top knob and deep red to jet black spines on the side.
  Package of 15 seeds $1.95



D8451 Pincushion ( mammillaria )
A small, free blooming cacti that is easy to raise and to take care of. One of the best blooming cacti. Another excellent choice for beginners.
  Package of 15 seeds $1.95



D8455 Golden Ball ( notocactus )
From Argentina, a globular, clustering cacti with harmless yellow spines and beautiful yellow flowers. Very good for inside pots. Will eventually begin to clump.
  Package of 15 seeds $1.95



D8461 EDIBLE TREE CACTI ( opuntia )
A most unusual cacti. It will grow to tree size with huge flat pads often measuring a square foot or more in size. The pads are very good to eat and the plant bears beautiful red and yellow flowers. Also a good inside plant forlarge containers.
  Package of 10 seeds $1.95



Seed Packet #Z1770
Miniature Button Cacti Blossfeldiana liliputans
Tiny little, buttonlike cacti that are actually as small as a button. Loves to grow in cracks and crevices, and can withstand severe drying out. A challenge to grow, but well worth the effort.
Price per pack of tiny seeds: $3.95  



Seed Packet #Z1775
Firecracker Cactus Cleistocactus smaragdiflorus
Slender stemmed cactus to 6' from Argentina. Sharp spines. Produces bright orange flame-like tubular flowers with firecracker appearance.
Price per pack: $3.95   8-10 seeds per pack.



D8468 Cold Hardy Pad Cactus ( Opunia )
A great selection for those in the north who would like to grow cacti outside. A padded variety that if free flowing and free flowering. Does well inside and down South also.
  Package of 6 seeds $1.95



D8473 Sea Urchin Cacti ( Astrophytum asterias )
This small spineless cactus has a gray-green to white-green body. Flowers with deep red throats appear after about five years. In winter, when dry and dormant, the saucerlike body shrinks to a flat disk. Good container plant for inside, it requires a warm climate if grown outside. Will not tolerate temperatures below 50 degrees F.
  Package of 15 seeds $2.50



RHM091 Neoporteria Mixture
A good mixture for containers. Some are woolly old man types, globes, and column types with much variety in flowers and intricacy of patterns.
  Package of 10 seeds $2.95



D8475 Goat's Horn Cacti ( Astrophytum capricorne )
So called because of it's wiry, gray to brown spines that twist around this small cacti. A very good pot cacti with a small dark green body, sometimes flecked with white. Flowers often have a wine-red throat. Good container plant for inside, it requires a warm climate if grown outside. Will not tolerate temperatures below 41 degrees F.
  Package of 15 seeds $2.50




D8477 Silver Torch Cacti ( Cleistocactus strausii )
A fast growing branching columnar cacti from South America that is covered with eye-catching silvery spines when older. Starts out solitary when young, but branches out and creates it's own clumps as it matures. Can grow to 6 ft. tall. Good container plant for inside, it requires a warm climate if grown outside. Will not tolerate temperatures below 41 degrees F.
  Package of 15 seeds $2.50



D8479 Claret Cup Hedgehog Cacti ( Echinocereus triglochidiatus )
Has unique corrugated ribs and vividly hued scarlet blooms along with pink berries in summer. When mature will spread out to form a 2 ft. wide clump about 8" tall. Good container plant for inside, it requires a warm climate if grown outside. Will not tolerate temperatures below 36 degrees F.
  Package of 15 seeds.



D8481 Rainbow Cacti ( Echinocereus rigidissimus v. rubrispinus )
The short spines of this small clumping cacti often occur in red and white bands. Also, a ring of pink to magenta spring flowers with pale throats, followed by green berries, appear on the crown of each stem. Flowers when quite small. When mature, will form a clump about 2 ft. wide by 9" tall. Good container plant for inside, it requires a warm climate if grown outside. Will not tolerate temperatures below 41 degrees F.
  Package of 15 seeds, $2.50



D8483 Compass Barrel Cactus ( Ferocactus cylindraceus )
The long, hooked flame red spines of this barrel cacti become very dense with age. Retains it's barrel shape with age and offers bell-like flowers in orange and yellow colors. A slow grower, a mature plant outside could 10 ft. tall by 3 ft. across in time. Good container plant for inside, it requires a warm climate if grown outside. Will not tolerate temperatures below 41 degrees F.
  Package of 15 seeds $2.50



D8485 Crow's Claw Cacti ( Ferocactus latispinus )
With age, the red spines become broad and hooked and lay flat against the ball shaped body, thus the name. A mature plant only reaches about 10" tall by 15" across. Cream to purple flowers appear in Spring and sometimes Autumn. Good container plant for inside, it requires a warm climate if grown outside. Will not tolerate temperatures below 41 degrees F.
  Package of 15 seeds, $2.50



D8487 Candy Barrel Cactus ( Ferocactus wislizeni )
Bears distinctively patterned red and white spines and bears lemon, orange or red blooms when only 12" in diameter. Tolerates abuse and neglect well. Will eventually reach size of 10 ft. tall by 3 ft. across after many years of growth. Good container plant for inside, it requires a warm climate if grown outside. Will not tolerate temperatures below 41 degrees F.
  Package of 15 seeds $2.50



D8489 Giant Snake, or Crawling Log Cacti ( Mammillaria matudae )
Mature specimens often develop into a prostrate mound of long, snaking stems that offer a stunning visual effect when planted in rock gardens. When grown in tubs inside, will often take column form when young. Will begin flowering after only 4 years. Good container plant for inside, it requires a warm climate if grown outside. Will not tolerate temperatures below 41 degrees F.
  Package of 15 seeds $2.50



D8491 Snowball Pincushion Cacti ( Mammillaria candida )
The body of this small clumping cacti is cloaked in dense white spines, which are often pink tipped. Produces rings of flowers in Spring that begin cream colored, then turn pink, then brown. It is suggested that limestone should be added to the soil mixture of this plant as it need extra calcium to flourish. Good container plant for inside, it requires a warm climate if grown outside. Will not tolerate temperatures below 41 degrees F.
  Package of 15 seeds, $2.50



D8493 Golden Powder Puff ( Parodia chrysacanthion )
A thick mantle of bristlelike golden spines and a dense white wool on new growth of mature plants gives this cactus it's name. Bears small yellow flowers in Spring and Summer. Slow growing ball shaped plant that is about 8" tall when mature. Good container plant for inside, it requires a warm climate if grown outside. Will not tolerate temperatures below 41 degrees F.
  Package of 15 seeds, $2.50



D8495 Glory of Texas ( Thelocactus bicolor )
A small sun loving cacti that is usually globular ( about 10" when mature ), and spiked with dense red and yellow spines. Sports extremely beautiful pink/mangeta/white blooms when still very young. Good container plant for inside, it requires a warm climate if grown outside. Will not tolerate temperatures below 41 degrees F.
  Package of 15 seeds $2.50



D8496 San Pedro Cacti ( Trichocereus pachanoi )
A dark green columnar cacti that can reach 10-20 ft. tall. Bears showy white fragrant flowers at night that can reach 9" across. Cold hardy outside to 15 degrees when mature. Good cacti for beginners.
  Package of 15 seeds $2.50



D8501 Pancake Cacti ( Mammillaria meiacantha )
A solitary or clumping type cacti that forms a squat, pancake shape when mature with beautiful, cream yellow flowers.
  Package of 15 seeds $2.50



D8497 Peruvian Torch Cacti ( Trichocereus pervianus )
Stout 6-12 ft. columnar cacti with bluish-green color. An easy to grow, fast growing cacti that features large 10" sweet scented flowers that bloom at night. Cold hardy to 25 degrees when mature.
  Package of 15 seeds $2.50



Seed Packet #2147
Copper Barrel Cacti Glandulicactus mathssonii
Flowers are unique coppery color. Strong hooked spines cover this barrel type cactus. 10-15 seeds per pack.
  $3.95 per pack



D8506 Purple Prickly Pear ( Optunia macrocentra var argentinia )
Clump forming cactus with bluish green stems composed of rounded segments 4-8 inches long, purple tinged on the edges. Bears 3-4" yellow, cup shaped flowers. The purple coloration is produced in response to cold or drought conditions. Zones 9-11 outside.
  Package of 15 seeds $2.50



D8507 Daisy Ball Cacti ( Corphantha vivipara )
Solitary or clustering type cacti, usually ball shaped, but becoming slightly elongegated with age. Rarely growing over 5" tall. Bears daisy-like, pink, purple or white flowers in summer.
  Package of 15 seeds $2.50







BK208 CACTI AND OTHER SUCCULENTS 101 ESSENTIAL TIPS

by DK Publishing
Each of the 101 Essential Tips titles are brimming with information on cultivating beautiful plants, cooking, and more. Every page is filled with full-color photographs and easily understood step-by-step tips, making anyone an instant expert on the topic at hand.
Paper, 72 pages, 5 x 7, full-color photographs, ISBN 0-7894-1076-1

  Cacit/Succulents 101 Tips: $4.95













CACTUS CARE TIPS FOR SEEDS/PLANTS

PLANTING YOUR SEEDS

With a little patience and effort, you should have no problem raising beautiful cacti from the seeds you receive from us. Please remember that the seeds will sprout over a period of time, so don't be disappointed when only a few first start to sprout. The others will arrive given time. Usually most of the seeds will sprout between 3-10 weeks.
Bottom heat will give faster results, but is not an absolute necessity. If you can provide bottom heat, then by all means do so. If you cannot, then use shallow containers that can be covered with glass or plastic. The containers should be large enough to allow for 2 inches of crushed gravel or sharp sand (aquarium sand will do fine) to facilitate drainage. On top of the sand or gravel, you will need to place about 2 inches of sterilized soil. I recommend a mixture of 1 part sharp sand and 1 part peat humus. It is very important that the soil is sterilized. Heating soil in an oven at 200 degrees for 15 minutes is a good way to assure it is properly sterlized.
Soak the soil with water mixed with fungicide. This will prevent damping off later on. Allow excess water to drain off. Press seeds lightly into soil and cover with about 1/8 inch of soil. Cover with glass or plastic and place in warm location. Keep soil damp but not wet. I suggest misting the surface regularly.
After the seeds have begun to sprout, leave the glass or plastic in place. Leave on for about two weeks. In the meantime make sure the container does not receive direct sunlight as this may kill the plants. When the cover is removed, make sure that the plants do not receive any strong drafts or sudden temperature changes. It will take a couple of days for the seedlings to become hardy.

CARING FOR YOUR PLANTS.

A few tips on caring for your new plants:
Never use tap water or alkaline water. Rainwater is best but tap water that has set in an open container for 2 days will be fine.
Cacti cannot tolerate high alkaline soil. Check your soil for ph if you have problems with cacti.
Use fungicide mixed in with your water often when watering.
Use very weak solutions of plant food when feeding. Too much fertilize will distort your plants.
Never expose young seedlings to direct sunlight. They need bright, diffused sunlight.
The quickest way to kill a cacti is overwatering it. Let soil dry out before rewatering.
Cacti are succeptable to aphids, mealy bugs, white flies and spider mites. Treat soil with systemic insecticides and add paradichlorobenzene crystals to soil if possible.
If a plant show signs of rot due to overwatering, cut out the affected part immediately. If the top of the plant is cut off, let it air dry for a few days then repot. Often it will reroot itself.
Brown scarring is often a sign of too much sunlight. Move plants to a more protected location.
If possible, let plants spend first winter in original planter the seeds were sowed in. If overcrowding will not allow this, try to disturb the roots as little as possible.

OTHER CACTI AND SUCCULENT RELATED PAGES ON THE NET

Succulent publications from The Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew.
The Boyce Thompson Southwestern Arboretum and the
Arid Lands Newsletter, both at the University of Arizona in Tucson.

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