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What are Desert Plants?

Despite how harsh the desert may seem, there are a wide variety of desert plants that grow in arid conditions. These plants are hardy, thriving on little water, a great deal of sunlight, and conditions that would wither or kill most living things. However, just because these plants can survive in a terrain many creatures cannot, desert plants do not necessarily make good house plants.

However, those who manage to raise desert plant indoors get the rewarding experience of nurturing a type of plant that many people do not usually get to see up close. These plants can serve as conversation starters, as well as adding a unique atmosphere to your home.

When you think of desert plants, the most common desert plant to come to mind is the cactus. Native cacti can grow to a few feet tall, and usually do not handle home life very well. Many require special greenhouses with artificial lighting to live. Don’t be concerned, there are cactus species that can be grown indoors for your pleasure. These include the Acanthocalycium klimpelianum, the Acanthocalycium spiniflorum, the Acanthocalycium thionanthum v. variiflorum and the Acanthocalycium violaceum, as well as several other varieties. All of these cacti tend to be small, round in shape, and have one or many blossoms at the tip of the plant. Like desert wildflowers, cacti require delicate care in order to remain healthy. Unlike common belief, you cannot just forget your cactus and water it infrequently. They need a set amount of exposure to the sun, and scheduled watering. Without this, your plant will wilt and die. Cacti are among some of the most difficult plants to keep in a home, so you will need to approach their care with caution.

If you are looking to keep desert plants in your home, there are a few key things that you need to keep in mind. Plants like the Apache Plume, the Arizona Poppy and the Blue Phacelia require a great deal of light and heat. While they can survive the cold spikes of the desert night, these plants need conditions that mimic the desert in order to survive. If you plan to grow any one of these plants in your house, you should take care to provide them a great deal of light and be wary of over-feeding.

Should you follow the few rules of desert plants – scheduled watering, proper temperatures and exposure to sunlight – you will be able to enjoy your plants for years to come.