Popular Cactus Club Plants and How to Care for Them

The term “Cactus Club” often appears in searches, referring to an influential Los Angeles-based plant shop and the wider community of succulent enthusiasts it has inspired. This dual meaning highlights a modern movement in houseplant popularity, where specific aesthetics and curated selections drive trends. The plants that gain traction within this scene are often chosen for their unique forms, architectural shapes, and photogenic qualities.

The Cactus Club Phenomenon

The Cactus Club is a notable plant shop in Los Angeles that has significantly shaped modern houseplant trends. Its founder has leveraged a distinct aesthetic, heavily promoted through social media platforms like Instagram, to build a recognizable brand. This approach has elevated buying a plant into a curated, design-oriented experience, influencing how a new generation of plant owners view and purchase cacti and succulents. The shop’s physical location in Echo Park serves as a destination for enthusiasts.

The influence of this retailer extends beyond its storefront, creating a ripple effect across the plant community. By showcasing cacti in minimalist, design-forward pottery, the brand established a visual identity that has been widely emulated. This has helped fuel a larger trend where plants are seen as integral components of interior design. The shop’s curated selection means that the plants it features often become instantly popular, driving demand and influencing what other nurseries stock.

Popular Plants in the Cactus Club Scene

• The Bunny Ear Cactus, or Opuntia microdasys, is a favorite for its playful appearance, featuring paddle-like stems that grow in pairs resembling rabbit ears. Instead of sharp spines, this cactus is covered in glochids, which are tiny, hair-like prickles that detach easily and can irritate the skin. Cultivars are available in shades like yellow and white, adding to its decorative appeal.
• Astrophytum asterias, commonly known as the Star Cactus, is prized for its unique, geometric form. It is a spineless, squat cactus, divided into eight distinct ribs that give it a star-like shape when viewed from above. The surface is often dotted with small, white, fuzzy tufts of trichomes, which help reduce water loss and protect it from the sun.
• The Cephalocereus senilis, or Old Man Cactus, is named for the long, white, hair-like filaments that cover its columnar stem. This shaggy coating protects the plant from intense sun and frost in its native habitat. As the cactus matures, this “hair” becomes more prominent, giving it a wise appearance, though sharp spines are concealed beneath it.
• The Moon Cactus is a unique grafted specimen, not a single naturally occurring plant. It consists of a colorful top cactus, a mutant Gymnocalycium mihanovichii which lacks chlorophyll and cannot survive on its own. This vibrant top is grafted onto a green rootstock cactus, often a Hylocereus, which provides photosynthesis for survival. This combination creates a striking plant, though its composite nature gives it a shorter lifespan.

Essential Care for a Thriving Cactus Collection

• As plants adapted to sun-drenched environments, cacti require proper lighting to thrive. Most need at least six hours of bright, direct sunlight each day, making a south-facing window an ideal indoor location. Insufficient light causes etiolation, a process where the cactus stretches and becomes pale, weakening the plant and spoiling its compact shape.
• Cacti need a gritty, well-draining soil mix that mimics their native arid conditions. Standard potting soil holds too much water and can lead to root rot, a common problem for these plants. A proper cactus mix, or a homemade blend of potting soil, sand, and perlite or pumice, ensures that water drains quickly and the roots have adequate aeration.
• Overwatering is the most frequent mistake in cactus care. These plants evolved to store water, allowing them to survive long periods of drought. Water them deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. During the active growing season in spring and summer, watering every two to four weeks is common, while in the dormant winter period, it should be reduced significantly.
• Cacti prefer warm temperatures during their growing season, aligning with indoor conditions between 70 and 85°F. They are also adaptable to cooler temperatures during their winter dormancy, with a range of 45 to 55°F being beneficial for many species. This cool, dry rest can encourage flowering in the following spring, but it is important to protect them from frost.