Cactus grow as small groundcovers, shrubs and trees, so exactly what is a cactus. All cacti are succulents, and are members of the Cactaceae family, they are also mostly spiny succulents. With over 2000 species cacti can provide us with tremendous variety. If you spend much time watching old westerns on television then you will probably picture cacti as Saguaro Cactus, the tall tree like cactus from the old west. But cacti can also be small and delicate, with very pretty flowers. The species Echinocactus Grusonii (Golden Barrel Cactus) forms an attractive rounded barrel shape. Hylocereus undatus is a species that produces an edible fruit known as 'Dragon Fruit'
Growing conditions for Cacti or Cactus and Cacti care.
Cacti do not grow in desert sand, but they are are well and truely adapted to dry conditions and hot sun, they do require good drainage, some species such as as : Acanthocereus, Disocactus, Rhipsalis, Epiphyllum, Hatiora, Hylocereus, Lepismium, Schlumbergera, and Selenicereus require a little more water, and a little less light than others.
Cacti are suitable for growing in containers or pots, especially the smaller species.