We know cacti for their thick stems, rugged exterior, and prickly spikes. But did you know that cacti are flowering plants and can produce beautiful blooms?
The stunning and vibrant flowers add an allure to these hardy plants and ensure their species continuation in their harsh environments.
In this post, you’ll learn about seven types of cactus that produce beautiful white flowers. Most of these flowers may not last long, but when they appear, their imposing presence and allure are bound to take your breath away.
1. Easter Lily Cactus (Echinopsis subdenudata)

- Other names: Pink Easter lily, Night-blooming hedge-hogs, Sea-urchin cactus
- Family: Cactaceae
- Annual or Perennial: Perennial
Easter Lily Cactus (Echinopsis subdenudata) is a fast-growing clump or mat-forming plant that can reach a height of 30 cm. The grayish-green stems are short, rounded ribbed with black-to-yellowish brown straight spines.
The perennial cactus produces showy and fragrant funnel-shaped white flowers about 10 cm in diameter. As the name implies, they bloom around Easter and only open up at night.
However, the blooms only last a day or two before they wither.
2. Torch Cactus (Trichocereus spachianus)

- Other names: White Torch cactus, Golden Torch cereus
- Family: Cactaceae
- Annual or Perennial: Perennial
Torch Cactus (Trichocereus spachianus) is a perennial plant that can live for many years in arid areas. It has a cylindrical green body with upright columns reaching up to 2m in height. The stems are about 5-6 cm in diameter and covered with 1-2 cm golden spikes.
The torch cactus produces showy white funnel-shaped flowers about 15 cm wide and 20 cm long. They bloom in the spring and only open up during the night. One plant may have several flowers, creating a lovely display.
3. Queen of the Night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum)

- Other names: Dutchman’s Pipe cactus, Lady of the Night, Orchid cactus
- Family: Cactaceae
- Annual or Perennial: Perennial
Queen of the Night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) is a fast-growing cactus that can reach 3m in height. The plant has flat, leaf-like, and spineless branches about 40 cm long. Unlike most cacti, this plant grows on rocks or on other plants for support.
Epiphyllum oxypetalum produces large, fragrant white flowers about 20 cm wide and 30 cm long. The lily-like flowers bloom in late spring to early summer for only one night a year and wither by the next morning.
4. San Pedro Cactus (Echinopsis pachanoi)

- Other names: Trichocereus pachanoi
- Family: Cactaceae
- Annual or Perennial: Perennial
San Pedro Cactus (Echinopsis pachanoi) is a fast-growing cactus that can reach 6m in height. It produces light to dark green ribbed columnar stems about 6-15 cm wide with small spines. The branches emerge from the base, creating a tree-like appearance.
Between June and July, Echinopsis pachanoi produces large, tubular, and highly fragrant white flowers about 20 cm wide and 19-24 cm long. The short-lived blooms open at night and close at dawn for one to two days.
5. The Whitehaired Crown Cactus (Rebutia albiflora)

- Other Names: White-flowered rebutia, Aylostera albiflora
- Family: Cactaceae
- Annual or Perennial: Perennial
The Whitehaired Crown Cactus (Rebutia albiflora) is a small cactus that reaches about 5 cm in height. The globular plant produces green flattened stems covered with wooly areoles bearing numerous spines.
Rebutia albiflora produces large funnel-shaped white flowers about 2.5 cm wide on the lower part of the stems. They extend up and over the cactus, creating a spectacular display.
6. Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus undatus)

- Other names: Night Blooming cactus, Belle of the night, Red pitaya, Hylocereus undatus
- Family: Cactaceae
- Annual or Perennial: Perennial
Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus undatus) is a vine-like climbing cactus that can grow up to 6m with proper support. Its green wavy-ribbed stems can be climbing, creeping, or clambering with 1-3 spines, although sometimes it may be spineless.
It’s the second most commercially important cactus species for its exotic and delicious dragon fruit.
Hylocereus undatus also boasts the largest flowers in the Cactaceae family. The bell-shaped white flowers are about 15-17 cm wide and 25-35 cm long.
They open up at dusk for pollination by bats or moths and only last for one night.
7. Cereus hildmannianus

- Other names: Hedge cactus, Hildmann’s cereus, Apple’s cactus, Andes Organ pipe
- Family: Cactaceae
- Annual or Perennial: Perennial
Cereus hildmannianus is an imposing tree-like cactus with many branches that can grow up to 7-9m in height. It has bluish-green, cylindrical, and ribbed stems about 15 cm wide with marginal spines.
The cactus produces impressive and fragrant white funnel-shaped flowers about 25-30 cm long. They open up at dusk until dawn and last for only one day.

Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.