This is how you recognize the Cereus

Features for determining the columnar cactus

• Upright growth
• single or multi-stemmed
• Trunks with ribs
• almost always armed with thorns
• only blooms at night

The columnar cactus is native to South America. It only needs a little water because it can store the moisture in the trunk.

In his homeland one can Column cactus depending on the species be more than 15 meters high. In indoor culture, with good care, it can reach a height of one meter and more within about six years.

Upright shape with one or more stems

The columnar cactus always grows in an upright form. Some varieties have a main stem with no side shoots, while others form multiple stems.

The individual trunks are ribbed, the number of which varies depending on the variety. There are species that only have seven to eight ribs, while others have up to 30 ribs.

Difference to the leaf cactus

Leaf cacti

belong to the succulents. They are at home in the rainforests and in nature almost always grow on the leaves of other plants. Your shoots consist of several limbs that hang down. This makes the leaf cactus suitable as a hanging plant. Thorns are almost never present, while the columnar cactus always has thorns. These can sometimes be very pronounced.

Leaf cacti, to which Christmas cactus and Easter cactus belong to, in contrast to the columnar cactus, they bloom regularly if they are placed in a cooler place in winter. Some varieties also need several hours of total darkness a day.

The columnar cactus hardly ever blooms in indoor culture. The gardener is more lucky if he can grow the Cereus in the greenhouse all year round. However, the flower is only open at night. It fades quickly during the day.