10 Best Large Cactus Plants

A large cactus can be an interesting, low-maintenance houseplant. They come in all shapes and sizes and introducing one into your living space as a statement piece can add spice, flair, and style to your home.

Because cacti are usually slow-growing, you will likely need to buy a mature plant rather than grow it to size if you are looking to add a large cactus to your houseplant collection. Some cacti don’t reach maturity until they are 150 years old. A young cactus could easily outlive you before reaching the size you are looking for.

For an eye-catching and dramatic impact, bring a bit of the desert into your home with these 10 large cactus plants.

General Care

Surprisingly, cacti can be tricky plants to keep happy indoors, especially for those who are prone to ‘loving’ their houseplants a little too much (we’re looking at you, over-waterers!).

Keep in mind that cacti are desert plants, and they can survive months (yes months!) without water if needed. It is always better to underwater a cactus than to overwater it.

To thrive indoors, a large cactus requires at least six hours of direct sunlight every day which usually means placing it in a south-facing location.

Best Large Cacti

01 of 10
Blue Myrtle Cactus

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The blue myrtle cactus (Myrtillocactus geometrizans) is a fast-growing, columnar cactus that becomes treelike with age. It can grow to be over 16 feet tall at maturity but remains shrubby as a young plant. When grown indoors, ensure that the blue myrtle cactus is planted in gritty, well-draining soil for cacti and receives at least six hours of direct sun every day.
- Name: Blue myrtle cactus (Myrtillocactus geometrizans)
- Light: Direct sun
- Water: Minimal water, water conservatively once the soil is dry
- Mature Size: 16 or more feet tall
02 of 10
Saguaro Cactus

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The saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) is a columnar, tree-like cactus that is one of the defining plants of the Sonoran desert. They are extremely slow-growing but can grow up to 40-60 feet tall. They work well as houseplants, however, to grow a sizable cactus, you will likely need to purchase a well-established plant as long as it's not poached.
- Name: Saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea)
- Light: Direct sun
- Water: Minimal water, water once the soil is dry
- Mature Size: 40-60 feet tall
03 of 10
Mexican Fence Post Cactus

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The Mexican fence post cactus (Pachycereus marginatus) is a stunning blue-green columnar cactus that can grow up to 20 feet tall at maturity. Fortunately, this species of cactus is relatively fast-growing, so you may be able to start with a smaller plant and wait for it to grow to a decent size if you wish.
- Name: Mexican fence post cactus (Pachycereus marginatus)
- Light: Direct sun
- Water: Minimal water, water once the soil is dry
- Mature Size: 20 feet tall
04 of 10
Golden Barrel Cactus

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Also commonly known as the mother-in-law’s cushion, the golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii) can reach over 3 feet in height and width at maturity. They might not rival some of the larger cacti cultivators in height but will reach an impressive size for barrel cacti. However, these plants are extremely slow-growing so finding a mature plant for sale is probably your best bet.
- Name: Golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii)
- Light: Direct sun
- Water: Minimal water, water when the soil is dry
- Mature Size: 3 feet tall and wide
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05 of 10
Candelabra Cactus

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While the candelabra cactus (Euphorbia ingens) is technically a succulent and not a cactus, it is one of the most popular indoor cactus-like varieties and still deserves a mention. For those who don’t have very many bright sunny windows in their home, this cactus-like succulent might be the best choice for you because it can do well in bright indirect light conditions.
- Name: Candelabra cactus (Euphorbia ingens)
- Light: Bright indirect light to direct sun
- Water: Minimal water, water once the soil is dry
- Mature Size: 8-10 ft. tall (indoors), 15 in. wide (indoors)
06 of 10
Prickly Pear Cactus

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Prickly pear cactus plants (Opuntia) plants are some of the most popular indoor cactus varieties—often sold as small 3 to 6-inch plants—and they can spread from 12 to 18 inches in width. As with most cactus varieties, ensure that your prickly pear is placed in a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight to keep it happy.
- Name: Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia)
- Light: Direct sun
- Water: Minimal water, water once the soil is dry
- Mature Size: 6–12 in. to 8 feet tall, 12–18 in. to 8 feet wide, depending on species
07 of 10
Organ Pipe Cactus

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The organ pipe cactus (Stenocereus thurberi) got its common name from the way its multi-limbed growth habit resembles grand organ pipes. Organ pipe cacti are characterized by green skin with several ribs and small spines adorning the entire stem. They can grow up to 16 feet tall and 12 feet wide but are very slow-growing.
- Name: Organ pipe cactus (Stenocereus thurberi)
- Light: Direct sun
- Water: Minimal water, water once the soil is dry
- Mature Size: 16 ft. tall, 12 ft. wide
08 of 10
Mexican Giant Cardon Cactus

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The Mexican giant cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei) is the tallest in the world and can grow up to 63 feet tall with a diameter of 39 inches. However, this cactus is also popular as a houseplant due to its unique appearance and ease of care, and its size is usually far more contained. This cactus is slow-growing and requires desert-like conditions to thrive. Choose the brightest spot in your home for this cactus and water sparingly.
- Name: Mexican giant cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei)
- Light: Direct sun
- Water: Minimal water, water only when soil is dry
- Mature Size: 63 ft. tall, 39 in. wide (but not as tall indoors)
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09 of 10
Mexican Lime Cactus

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Another barrel cactus that can reach impressive size is the Mexican lime cactus (Ferocactus pilosus). This cactus is characterized by prominent ribs adorned with areoles sprouting bright red spines. Similar to most other cacti varieties, the Mexican lime cactus is extremely slow-growing. So, if you are looking to add a sizable specimen to your home, you will need to search for a well-established plant.
- Name: Mexican Lime Cactus (Ferocactus pilosus)
- Light: Direct sun
- Water: Minimal water, water once the soil is dry
- Mature Size: 8 ft. tall, 12-18 in. wide
10 of 10
Blue Columnar Cactus

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The blue columnar (Pilosocereus pachycladus) is a blue-skinned cactus and a relatively common houseplant that can be found at most nurseries and garden centers. Its delicate blue flesh is complemented by bright yellow spines, and it can grow up to 33 feet tall outdoors—becoming treelike and branching with age—but grows much shorter indoors. This fast-growing cactus variety requires lots of bright light, regular fertilization, and occasional watering to reach its full potential indoors.
- Name: Blue columnar cactus (Pilosocereus pachycladus)
- Light: Bright indirect light to direct sun
- Water: Minimal water, water once the soil is dry
- Mature Size: 6–12 ft. tall, 2–4 ft. wide indoors

FAQ

Do large cacti grow well indoors?

Large cacti grow well indoors if they are given a substantial amount of indirect or direct bright sunlight, based on the particular plant's needs.
What is the easiest large cactus to take care of?

A barrel cactus is one of the easiest large cactus types to take care of indoors.
What are the most common large cactus varieties?

The 10 most common large cactus varieties are listed above, ranging from the saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) to candelabra cactus (Euphorbia ingens) and barrel types.