Cacti with white flowers bring a serene elegance to the rugged beauty of desert plants, their creamy or snowy blooms creating a striking contrast against spiky, green, or bluish-gray stems. These delicate flowers, ranging from tiny stars to large, radiant blossoms, add a touch of sophistication to gardens, indoor displays, and rockeries. Perfect for collectors and enthusiasts, white-flowering cacti offer a timeless appeal with their pristine petals.
Caring for these cacti is straightforward, making them ideal for beginners. They thrive in bright, direct sunlight and require well-draining soil to prevent root rot. Watering should be minimal, allowing the soil to dry out completely between sessions, especially during the dormant winter months.These cacti are versatile, fitting perfectly in rock gardens, xeriscapes, or indoor pots. Their compact sizes and unique shapes make them excellent for small spaces or as statement pieces in larger arrangements. Whether in a desert-inspired garden or a sunny windowsill, they add a touch of drama.
Cactus With White Flowers
Easter Lily Cactus (Echinopsis oxygona)
The Easter Lily Cactus boasts a globular, rich green body adorned with short, bristly spines that give it a textured look. Its large, funnel-shaped white flowers, blooming at night in late spring to early summer, are a captivating sight. The silky, pure white petals, sometimes faintly tinged with pink at the edges, can span up to six inches, glowing ethereally against the rounded form. This cactus’s nocturnal blooms create a dramatic, almost magical display that elevates any collection.
Powder Puff Cactus (Mammillaria bocasana)
The Powder Puff Cactus is a small, globular cactus covered in fine, hair-like white spines that lend a fuzzy, almost cuddly appearance. In spring, it produces a crown of tiny, star-shaped white flowers that encircle its top. These delicate blooms, often with a creamy or pale yellowish tint, contrast beautifully with the woolly texture, creating a soft, charming look that belies the plant’s spiky nature, making it a delightful addition to any display.
Dwarf Chin Cactus (Gymnocalycium baldianum)
The Dwarf Chin Cactus features a compact, globular shape with smooth, dark green skin and short, curved spines. Its white flowers, blooming in summer, are strikingly large compared to the plant’s size, with glossy petals ranging from pure white to soft ivory. Emerging from the top, the blooms form a radiant crown, enhancing the cactus’s understated elegance and creating a refined contrast against its vibrant green body.
Lace Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus reichenbachii)
The Lace Hedgehog Cactus is characterized by cylindrical stems covered in intricate, comb-like spines that create a delicate, lacy texture. Its small, white flowers, blooming in late spring, are abundant and silky, shimmering in sunlight with petals occasionally tinged pale pink. These blooms emerge along the sides of the stems, adding an airy, graceful quality to the cactus’s structured, upright form, making it a standout in desert-inspired settings.
White-Flowered Rebutia (Rebutia albiflora)
The White-Flowered Rebutia is a petite, clustering cactus with small, globular stems covered in tiny, soft spines. In spring, it bursts into a profusion of delicate, star-shaped white flowers that blanket the green body. The pure white petals, sometimes with a faint yellowish center, give this cactus a dainty, almost whimsical charm, resembling a snowy carpet that makes it perfect for compact, vibrant displays.
Queen of the Night (Selenicereus grandiflorus)
The Queen of the Night is a climbing cactus with long, slender, ribbed stems that sprawl or trail dramatically. Its massive white flowers, often exceeding ten inches in diameter, bloom at night in summer, exuding a sweet fragrance. The radiant, creamy white petals form a starburst shape, contrasting vividly with the dark green, rope-like stems, creating a mesmerizing, almost mystical appearance that captivates onlookers.
Bishop’s Cap Cactus (Astrophytum myriostigma)
The Bishop’s Cap Cactus features a star-shaped, ribbed body with a smooth, grayish-green surface speckled with white flecks, giving it a sculptural, otherworldly look. Its white flowers, blooming in summer, emerge from the center with silky petals that often carry a pale yellow or creamy tint. The blooms’ simplicity enhances the cactus’s geometric form, adding a touch of elegance to its striking, almost architectural appearance.
Haage’s Mammillaria (Mammillaria haageana)
Haage’s Mammillaria is a cylindrical cactus with a green body covered in short, white spines and woolly tufts that create a textured, inviting look. In spring, it produces a ring of small, star-like white flowers around its top, with glossy petals that gleam against the spiny surface. The pure white blooms, with their subtle sheen, enhance the cactus’s soft, graceful aesthetic, making it a charming desert gem.
Domino Cactus (Echinopsis subdenudata)
The Domino Cactus is a globular cactus with a smooth, dark green body and minimal spines, giving it a sleek, polished appearance. Its large, funnel-shaped white flowers, blooming in late spring, are radiant with petals that glow softly in low light. The pristine white hue of the blooms contrasts beautifully with the cactus’s clean, rounded form, creating a minimalist yet captivating aesthetic.
Lemon Ball Cactus (Parodia leninghausii)
The Lemon Ball Cactus features tall, columnar stems covered in soft, golden-yellow spines that give it a fuzzy, glowing appearance. Its white flowers, blooming in summer, are small and delicate, with creamy petals emerging from the top of the columns. The contrast between the golden spines and snowy blooms creates a warm, inviting look, making this cactus a striking focal point in any collection.
Snowball Cactus (Notocactus haselbergii)
The Snowball Cactus is a small, globular cactus with a green body densely covered in fine, white spines, creating a soft, velvety texture. Its petite, star-shaped white flowers, blooming in spring, have a glossy, pure white hue that stands out against the spiny surface. The abundance of blooms gives the cactus a snowy, almost frosted appearance, adding a whimsical charm to its compact form.
Elephant Tooth Cactus (Coryphantha elephantidens)
The Elephant Tooth Cactus is a large, globular cactus with a bluish-green body and thick, curved spines. Its broad, cup-shaped white flowers, appearing in late spring, feature silky petals ranging from creamy white to pale ivory. Emerging from the top, the blooms create a striking contrast with the cactus’s robust, textured form, lending an air of elegance to its sturdy, desert-ready appearance.
Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria zeilmanniana)
The Pincushion Cactus is a small, globular cactus with a bright green body covered in dense, white spines that give it a soft, cushioned look. Its white flowers, blooming in spring, form a delicate ring around the top, with tiny, star-shaped petals that shimmer with a creamy hue. The blooms’ dainty appearance contrasts beautifully with the cactus’s spiky texture, creating a charming, compact display.
Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni)
The Barrel Cactus features a robust, cylindrical body with ribbed, green skin and long, reddish spines that add a rugged charm. Its white flowers, blooming in late summer, are small but striking, with creamy petals that emerge from the top in a subtle crown. The blooms’ soft white hue softens the cactus’s bold, barrel-like form, adding a touch of elegance to its sturdy structure.
Old Lady Cactus (Mammillaria hahniana)
The Old Lady Cactus is a globular cactus with a green body cloaked in white, hair-like spines and woolly tufts, giving it a soft, fuzzy appearance. Its white flowers, blooming in spring, form a delicate halo around the top, with small, star-shaped petals that gleam with a pure white sheen. The blooms enhance the cactus’s gentle, almost grandmotherly charm, making it a delightful addition to any collection.
Silver Ball Cactus (Parodia scopa)
The Silver Ball Cactus is a globular cactus with a green body covered in dense, silvery-white spines that create a shimmering, almost metallic effect. Its white flowers, blooming in summer, are small and delicate, with creamy petals that emerge from the top in clusters. The contrast between the silvery spines and snowy blooms gives this cactus a radiant, otherworldly glow.
Star Cactus (Astrophytum ornatum)
The Star Cactus boasts a ribbed, globular body with a grayish-green surface speckled with white flecks, creating a starry, sculptural look. Its white flowers, blooming in summer, are large and silky, with petals that range from pure white to pale cream, often with a yellowish center. The blooms emerge from the center, adding a refined touch to the cactus’s bold, geometric form.
Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus engelmannii)
The Hedgehog Cactus features clustering, cylindrical stems with dense, needle-like spines that give it a spiky, hedgehog-like appearance. Its white flowers, blooming in spring, are small but abundant, with silky petals that shimmer in sunlight. The blooms, occasionally tinged with pale pink, dot the stems, creating a soft, airy contrast to the cactus’s rugged, clumping form.
Fairy Castle Cactus (Acanthocereus tetragonus)
The Fairy Castle Cactus is a columnar cactus with slender, green stems that branch into a whimsical, castle-like structure. Its white flowers, blooming at night in summer, are large and radiant, with creamy petals that form a starburst shape. The blooms’ luminous quality contrasts beautifully with the cactus’s intricate, upright form, creating a fairytale-like charm.
Bunny Ears Cactus (Opuntia microdasys)
The Bunny Ears Cactus features flat, oval pads covered in tiny, white glochids that give it a soft, velvety look. Its rare white flowers, blooming in summer, are small and delicate, with creamy petals that emerge from the edges of the pads. The blooms add a subtle elegance to the cactus’s playful, ear-like structure, making it a quirky yet beautiful addition.
Fishhook Cactus (Sclerocactus parviflorus)
The Fishhook Cactus is a small, barrel-shaped cactus with a green body and curved, hook-like spines that give it a distinctive look. Its white flowers, blooming in late spring, are petite and cup-shaped, with silky petals that range from pure white to pale ivory. The blooms cluster at the top, creating a delicate contrast with the cactus’s rugged, spiny form.
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii)
The Golden Barrel Cactus is a large, globular cactus with a bright green body covered in golden-yellow spines that create a glowing, sun-like appearance. Its white flowers, blooming in summer, are small and creamy, emerging from the top in a subtle crown. The blooms’ soft white hue contrasts with the vibrant spines, adding a touch of elegance to the cactus’s bold, spherical form.
Night-Blooming Cereus (Hylocereus undatus)
The Night-Blooming Cereus is a climbing cactus with long, flat, green stems that sprawl or trail dramatically. Its enormous white flowers, blooming at night in summer, can reach twelve inches in diameter, with radiant, creamy petals that exude a sweet fragrance. The blooms’ star-like shape contrasts strikingly with the cactus’s slender, ribbon-like stems, creating a breathtaking, nocturnal display.
Claret Cup Cactus (Echinocereus mojavensis)
The Claret Cup Cactus, while typically known for red blooms, occasionally produces white-flowered variants with cylindrical, green stems covered in dense spines. Its white flowers, blooming in late spring, are cup-shaped and silky, with petals that gleam in soft ivory tones. The blooms add a gentle contrast to the cactus’s rugged, clumping form, offering a rare, elegant twist on this desert classic.