There’s a reason people have been singing the praises of the exotic cactus for decades—it really is the ultimate balcony plant. These desert-dwelling buddies are incredibly low-maintenance and very forgiving if you happen to forget about them for a bit. While they look great on a sunny windowsill indoors, they actually thrive just as well outside on your balcony or patio.
Cacti for Your Window Boxes: A Quick Guide
With over 1,800 species out there, picking the right one for your space can feel a little overwhelming. To make things easier, I’ve rounded up a few varieties that look fantastic and grow perfectly in window boxes:
- Peanut Cactus (‘Chamaecereus silvestrii’): This fun variety features 8-inch long trailing stems and produces stunning, bright red flowers.
- Bishop’s Cap (‘Astrophytum myriostigma’): A unique, thornless cactus that grows about 8-10 inches tall. It has a cool, star-shaped body covered in tiny white flecks.
- Sea Urchin Cactus (‘Echinopsis’ hybrid “Rheingold”): This columnar cactus reaches about 8-10 inches in height and puts on a show with deep crimson blooms during the summer.
Pro Tip: If you have curious pets or kids running around, the thornless Bishop’s Cap is a fantastic, “ouch-free” choice for your balcony.
Large Cacti for Patio Planters
If you want to make a bolder statement, larger cacti in floor planters are the way to go. These majestic varieties love the extra root space and stand tall all year round. The best part? All of the following varieties are completely winter-hardy, so they can handle the chill.
- Prickly Pear (“Opuntia engelmannii ‘Natural Bridges'”): This impressive grower can reach up to 6 feet tall. It features gorgeous pink summer flowers and even produces edible, vitamin-rich fruit!
- Prickly Pear (“Opuntia cymochila ‘Arizona'”): A slightly more compact version, this one grows to about 3 feet and is famous for its many-branched, vibrant yellow summer blooms.
- Cane Cholla (“Cylindropuntia imbricata ‘Sandia Mountains'”): This hardy giant can grow up to 6 feet tall and is tough as nails—it can survive temperatures as low as -13°F (-25°C).
Another great option for a large pot is the ‘White Tower’ Cholla, which grows to about 3 feet. If you have a south-facing balcony with plenty of sun, this beauty will reward you with a dreamlike display of white flowers once it hits its third year.
