13 Different Fuzzy Cactus Types (With Pictures)

All cactuses are unique, but some of the most beautiful cactuses that stand out from the crowd are hairy cactus types that have a fuzzy coat on their surface. Although they are not too common, there are a lot of different cacti species that are fuzzy, so we wanted to provide more details about them.

After reading this article, you’ll become familiar with various hairy cactus types and learn all the requirements to grow them in the comfort of your home.

The 13 Different Types of Fuzzy Cactus

1. Old Lady Cactus

The old lady cactus is native to Mexico. It’s a low-maintenance plant even beginner gardeners can grow with ease. This cactus has a fuzzy coat and can develop lovely pink flowers. It’s a round-shaped cactus that has up to 30 spines per areole.  Typically, this cactus becomes 4 inches tall and around 8 inches wide.

Over time, this cactus will develop tiny offsets you can divide to grow new plants. These cacti are easy to take care of as they need watering only when the topsoil becomes dry. They don’t require fertilization, and you can grow them in full sun or partial shade.

2. Feather Cactus

The feather cactus is another stunning hairy cactus type you can grow in your home or garden. It’s native to Mexico and has a long lifespan, so as long as you treat it with enough care, this cactus will last for years. It typically grows in spherical or columnar form and can have multiple clusters. Commonly, this cactus becomes 4 inches high, while its cluster width can reach over 3.5 feet in 5 to 10 years.

Like most cacti species, this cactus needs watering when the topsoil is dry, and it grows the best in full sun and partial shade.

3. Old Man Cactus

The old man cactus is another fuzzy cactus that stands out, especially due to its size, as it can reach over 45 feet when grown outside. If you grow this cactus inside, you can expect it to be 3 feet tall. This cactus thrives in the sun during the summer, so it’s best to plant it in full sun or partial shade, allowing it to have 6 to 8 hours of direct sun exposure. During winter, this cactus needs a temperature between 50°F and 60°F.

4. Peruvian Old Man Cactus

The Peruvian old man cactus resembles the old man cactus. However, it has more dense hair on its stems. It’s native to Peru, and it’s a pretty rare cacti species. This cactus can vary in size, reaching anywhere between 5 and 23 feet. After a couple of years, these cacti can develop flowers ranging from purple to white and are typically hidden by the wooly coat. When you provide this cactus with the needed care, it will grow quickly.

5. Monkey’s Tail

The monkey’s tail cactus got its name due to its elongated shape with hairy, white spines. This cactus has become quite popular over the last few years because of its interesting appearance and low-maintenance qualities. It produces bright, red flowers during spring and summer. These cacti grow quite fast, and a single stem can grow over 1 foot every year. Like most cactuses, it needs full sun or partial shade to prosper and water only when the soil becomes dry.

6. Grizzly Bear Prickly Pear

The grizzly bear prickly pear is a cacti species with long, thin bluish-green stems and white hairy spines. It grows bright, yellow, pink, red, and purple flowers in summer. This cactus grows between 6 and 18 inches high, and you can grow it in multiple USDA hardiness zones. Although these cacti are not too common, their popularity is growing every year.

As long as you plant this cactus in full sun or partial shade and you avoid overwatering it, this plant will thrive.

7. Hairy Stemmed Rhipsalis

The hairy stemmed rhipsalis is one of the unique hairy cactus types, as it resembles a plant more than an actual cactus. It grows as a small shrub with multiple small, cylindrical stems that can become up to 16 inches long. Each stem has a small, white, bell-shaped flower at the top. Unlike most cactuses, this cactus grows the best in full shade because too much sun could burn the leaves.

8. Powder Puff Cactus

The powder puff cactus is a hairy, smaller cactus native to Mexico. It has a ball-like shape and grows about 4 inches tall. The whole body of this cactus is covered in dense, fuzzy spikes that are silky and soft. This cactus flowers in spring or summer, bearing striking, bright pink or white flowers. It’s one of the easiest cacti you can grow, so it’s an excellent choice for people looking for a unique, low-maintenance plant.

9. Hairy Roger Cactus

The hairy roger cactus is native to Mexico and the USA. It has irregular-shaped pads covered in soft, hairy spikes that can grow quite high, typically between 3 and 6 feet. Some people mistake this cactus for the prickly pear cacti as it belongs to the same species. During spring and early summer, these cacti grow stunning yellow or pink flowers which makes their appearance even more interesting. This cactus thrives in full sun or partial shade and needs well-draining soil to succeed.

10. Old Man of The Andes

The old man of the Andes is a fuzzy cactus with soft hairs covering it from top to bottom. You can notice the orange spikes that protrude from the wool. You can grow this cactus both indoors and outdoors, but ensure you provide the plant with enough sun during the day. Typically, the old man of the Andes becomes around 10 feet tall and 24 inches wide. It blooms in spring, bearing pinkish purple flowers.

11. Peruvian Old Lady Cactus

The Peruvian old lady cactus is another fuzzy cactus with a thick, wool-like coat that hides yellow, red, or orange spines underneath. It grows quite slowly but can reach over 7 feet in its natural habitat. However, if you grow these cacti in a pot, they will be small and can only reach around 10 inches. Unfortunately, these cactuses rarely reach maturity. For this cacti to thrive, you’ll need to place it in full sun or partial shade and ensure that the soil is well-drained, rich, and organic.

12. Polar Bear Cactus

The polar bear cactus is a rare species, also known as waraqu. It’s native to Peru and Bolivia, and it has a cylindrical shape, with dense wool-like hair and yellowish spikes that show under the fuzzy surface. These cacti bloom in spring, bearing bright yellow, or orange flowers. They are not too large, and they typically reach around 6 inches in height.

13. Park Hedgehog Cactus

The park hedgehog cactus, also known as the pincushion hedgehog cactus, is a small cactus with multiple spikes covered in a wool coat. Typically, this cactus reaches a maximum height of 2 inches. The yellowish-brown spikes emerge from the hair, and this cactus bears large yellow, white, or pink flowers during spring or early summer. It’s among the most cold-hardy hairy cacti types you can find, making it an excellent option for colder climates.

Conclusion

When it comes to hairy cactus types, there are various available options, so it all comes down to which cacti you like the most. Before deciding to plant one of the species we mentioned in the list, check out their characteristics to ensure that the cacti will fit your requirements. You cannot go wrong with any of these cactuses as each one is unique, and the fuzzy surface will make it stand out from your other plants.

See more: 11 Mammillaria Cactus Types (With Pictures)

Featured Image Credit: ThreeMilesPerHour, Pixabay