Cereus plants, iconic cacti of the Cactaceae family, are known for their tall, columnar stems that dominate arid landscapes. These drought-tolerant giants store water in their ribbed flesh, thriving where others falter. Their towering presence makes them striking in gardens, offering a bold, low-maintenance focal point. Ecologically, they support desert life, attracting nocturnal pollinators with fleeting blooms.
Their stems, often green or bluish, are ribbed for strength and adorned with spines that deter herbivores. At night, large, fragrant flowers unfurl, luring bats and moths in a brief display. Fruits may follow, sometimes edible, adding value in harsh regions. This resilience and reproductive strategy highlight their adaptation to extreme conditions.
Native to warm, dry regions of the Americas, Cereus plants grow in deserts, rocky slopes, and dry forests. Globally cultivated in sunny climates, they’re also kept in pots in colder areas. Their love for well-draining, poor soils suits sustainable landscaping, making them a go-to for xeriscapes and cactus collections.
In gardens, Cereus plants shine as sculptural accents or natural fences, their spines adding security. Their flowers boost biodiversity, while fruits offer minor food sources in some cultures. Traditionally, they’ve served in crafts or remedies, though their primary draw today is ornamental. These cacti embody desert durability with timeless elegance.
Cereus Plants
Cereus repandus (Peruvian Apple Cactus)
Native to Peru and Bolivia, this species grows 10–15 feet (3–4.5 meters) tall in cultivation, with gray-green, 5–7-ribbed stems up to 6 inches (15 cm) thick. Its spines are short, grayish, and sparse, giving a smooth appearance. Large, white, nocturnal flowers (6–8 inches/15–20 cm) bloom in summer, followed by red, edible fruits resembling small apples, popular locally. It’s a favorite for xeriscapes and containers due to its manageable size and attractive fruit, thriving in full sun with minimal water.
Cereus jamacaru (Mandacaru)
Common in Brazil’s Caatinga, this cactus reaches 20–30 feet (6–9 meters) with blue-green, 4–6-ribbed stems about 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) in diameter. Its long, yellowish spines (up to 2 inches/5 cm) add a rugged look. White flowers (8–10 inches/20–25 cm) open at night, producing yellow, spiny fruits used in traditional diets. Valued for its cultural significance and drought tolerance, it’s planted in dry landscapes and as a living fence, requiring well-drained soil.
Cereus hildmannianus (Hedge Cactus)
Originating in Argentina and Brazil, this species grows 15–25 feet (4.5–7.5 meters) tall, with thick, 6–8-ribbed, blue-green stems that fade to green with age. Spines are short, brown, and numerous. It produces white, funnel-shaped flowers (6–7 inches/15–18 cm) and round, red fruits edible but rarely consumed. Its robust form suits large desert gardens or as a natural barrier, tolerating a range of soils and occasional frost down to 20°F (-6°C).
Cereus hexagonus (Lady of the Night)
Native to Venezuela and Guyana, this cactus reaches 15–20 feet (4.5–6 meters) with 4–6 sharply angled, green ribs on stems up to 8 inches (20 cm) wide. Its long, needle-like spines are gray to brown. Fragrant white flowers (8–10 inches/20–25 cm) bloom nocturnally, yielding pinkish fruits with sweet pulp. Popular in tropical gardens for its bold structure and scent, it needs full sun and infrequent watering to avoid rot.
Cereus peruvianus (Peruvian Torch)
Found in Peru and Ecuador, this species grows 10–20 feet (3–6 meters) tall, with slender, 6–8-ribbed, blue-green stems about 4 inches (10 cm) thick. Spines are short, reddish-brown, 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, preferring sandy soils and warm climates.
Cereus spegazzinii (Blue Cereus)
From Argentina and Bolivia, this cactus reaches 6–10 feet (1.8–3 meters), with thin, 5–6-ribbed, bluish-gray stems about 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm) in diameter. Spines are tiny, almost inconspicuous. Its white flowers (4–5 inches/10–12 cm) are less showy but elegant, with rare fruit production. Its compact size and unique color make it ideal for containers or small gardens, thriving with minimal care in sunny spots.
Cereus aethiops
Native to Argentina, this species grows 6–12 feet (1.8–3.6 meters) tall, with slender, 6–8-ribbed, dark green to nearly black stems about 2 inches (5 cm) wide. Spines are short, black, and sparse. White flowers (5–6 inches/12–15 cm) bloom at night, producing small, red fruits. Its dark hue is striking in mixed cactus displays, and it adapts well to pots or rockeries, needing protection from overwatering.
Cereus forbesii
Found in Paraguay and Bolivia, this cactus grows 10–15 feet (3–4.5 meters), with 5–7-ribbed, green stems up to 5 inches (12 cm) thick. Spines are brown, moderately long (1 inch/2.5 cm). Large white flowers (6–8 inches/15–20 cm) yield purple fruits with mild flavor. It’s planted for ornament and occasional fruit harvest, suiting desert landscapes or large containers, with a preference for well-drained, gritty soil.
Cereus validus
Native to Brazil and Argentina, this species reaches 15–20 feet (4.5–6 meters), with stout, 5–6-ribbed, green stems about 6 inches (15 cm) wide. Spines are short, gray, and clustered. White flowers (6–7 inches/15–18 cm) produce red, edible fruits. Its sturdy form is used in hedges or as a focal point in arid gardens, tolerating light shade and requiring minimal water once established.
Cereus hankeanus
From Peru, this cactus grows 8–12 feet (2.4–3.6 meters), with 6–8-ribbed, blue-green stems around 3 inches (7.5 cm) thick. Spines are small, brownish, and sparse. White flowers (5–6 inches/12–15 cm) bloom nocturnally, with rare fruiting. Its slender profile suits small spaces or pots, and it’s valued for its subtle beauty, needing full sun and careful watering to thrive.
Cereus stenogonus
Native to Argentina and Paraguay, this species reaches 10–15 feet (3–4.5 meters), with narrow, 4–5-ribbed, green stems about 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm) wide. Spines are short, yellow to gray. White flowers (4–5 inches/10–12 cm) produce small, pink fruits. Its delicate structure is popular in rock gardens or as a potted specimen, adapting well to sandy soils and warm temperatures.
Cereus uruguayanus
Found in Uruguay and Brazil, this cactus grows 10–20 feet (3–6 meters), with 6–8-ribbed, green stems up to 5 inches (12 cm) thick. Spines are long, grayish, and prominent. Large white flowers (6–8 inches/15–20 cm) yield yellow fruits with sweet pulp. Its bold form is ideal for large landscapes or as a statement plant, tolerating drought and poor soils with ease.
Cereus albicaulis
Native to Brazil, this species grows 6–10 feet (1.8–3 meters) tall with slender, 5–6-ribbed, pale green stems about 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm) in diameter. Its spines are short, white to gray, and sparse, giving a clean look. White nocturnal flowers, 4–5 inches (10–12 cm) long, bloom in summer, producing small, red fruits rarely consumed. Its compact size suits rock gardens or pots, thriving in full sun with well-drained soil, and it’s valued for its delicate, almost ghostly appearance.
Cereus bicolor
Found in Argentina and Paraguay, this cactus reaches 8–12 feet (2.4–3.6 meters) with 4–6-ribbed, green stems up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) thick. Spines are medium-length, brownish, and evenly spaced. Its white flowers, 5–6 inches (12–15 cm), open at night, followed by pinkish fruits with mild flavor. Popular in xeriscapes for its tidy form, it adapts to sandy or rocky soils and tolerates light drought, making it a low-maintenance choice for arid landscapes.
Cereus chalybaeus
Originating in Bolivia, this species grows 10–15 feet (3–4.5 meters) tall with striking, 6–8-ribbed, steel-blue stems about 4 inches (10 cm) wide. Spines are short, black, and dense. Large white flowers, 6–8 inches (15–20 cm), bloom nocturnally, yielding small, yellow fruits. Its blue hue makes it a standout in desert gardens or as a potted specimen, requiring full sun and minimal watering to maintain its vibrant color and avoid rot.
Cereus fernambucensis
Native to coastal Brazil, this cactus reaches 12–20 feet (3.6–6 meters) with 5–7-ribbed, green stems up to 5 inches (12 cm) thick. Spines are long, grayish, and slightly curved. White flowers, 7–9 inches (18–23 cm), attract nocturnal pollinators, followed by red, edible fruits used locally. Its tolerance for salty soils suits coastal gardens, and it’s planted 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 feet (2.4–4.5 meters) with 6–8-ribbed, dark green stems about 3–4 inches (7.5–10 cm) wide. Its long, fierce spines (up to 1.5 inches/4 cm), reddish-brown, give it a spiky look. White flowers, 5–6 inches (12–15 cm), produce small, orange fruits. Its bold texture is ideal for rockeries or as a security plant, needing full sun and gritty soil to flourish.
Cereus kroenleinii
Native to Bolivia and Paraguay, this cactus grows 6–12 feet (1.8–3.6 meters) with thin, 5–6-ribbed, green stems around 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. Spines are tiny, gray, and barely noticeable. White flowers, 4–5 inches (10–12 cm), bloom at night, with rare fruit production. Its slender form suits small gardens or containers, and it’s prized for its understated elegance, requiring well-drained soil and protection from overwatering.
Cereus lamprospermus
Found in Peru, this species reaches 10–18 feet (3–5.5 meters) with 6–7-ribbed, green stems up to 5 inches (12 cm) thick. Spines are medium, yellowish, and clustered. Its white flowers, 6–7 inches (15–18 cm), yield pink fruits with sweet pulp, occasionally eaten. Used in desert landscapes for its sturdy form, it tolerates poor soils and thrives in full sun, making it a reliable choice for low-maintenance gardens.
Cereus saddianus
Native to Brazil, this cactus grows 8–14 feet (2.4–4.3 meters) with 4–6-ribbed, blue-green stems about 3 inches (7.5 cm) wide. Spines are short, brown, and sparse. White nocturnal flowers, 5–6 inches (12–15 cm), produce small, red fruits. Its attractive color and moderate size fit well in mixed cactus beds or pots, needing ample sunlight and infrequent watering to maintain its compact, healthy growth.
Cereus trigonodendron
From Argentina, this species grows 10–15 feet (3–4.5 meters) with distinctive, 3–4-ribbed, green stems up to 4 inches (10 cm) thick, giving a triangular cross-section. Spines are long, gray, and prominent. White flowers, 6–8 inches (15–20 cm), yield yellow fruits rarely used. Its unique geometry is a draw for collectors and desert gardens, thriving in rocky soils with minimal care, provided drainage is excellent.