Genus · Cactaceae
Cereus
4 species tracked in Horta’s catalog, and the named cultivars growers keep. Walk down to a species for its full care record, or into a cultivar for its traits and provenance.
Species in this genus
The ones growers meet most — each links to its own page.
Cereus repandus
Apple Cactus
Cereus repandus is a tall columnar succulent tree from the arid coasts of northern South America and the southern Caribbean, where it endures strong sun and long dry spells. Grow it in a gritty, fast-draining mix and give it the brightest direct light you can, ideally a south-facing window. Water deeply only when the mix has dried out completely all the way through, and let it stay dry longer in winter; standing moisture rots the roots.
Cereus jamacaru
Queen Of The Night
Cereus jamacaru is a columnar succulent tree from the semi-arid regions of Brazil, built to store water and endure long dry spells. Give it the brightest spot you have, ideally direct sun, and gritty fast-draining mix, then water deeply but rarely — only once the soil has dried out completely through the pot. It rots far more easily than it goes thirsty, so when in doubt, wait.
Cereus hexagonus
Lady Of The Night Cactus
A columnar, tree-forming cactus native to arid and seasonally dry regions of northern South America, this is a water-storing succulent that wants bright direct sun and gritty, fast-draining mix. Water deeply but infrequently, letting the soil dry out completely before watering again — wait until the top several inches of mix are fully dry. It rots if left sitting in moisture, so err toward keeping it too dry rather than too wet.
Cereus hildmannianus
Hedge Cactus
A tree-forming columnar cactus native to the seasonally dry regions of southern South America, this is a drought-adapted succulent that stores water in its ribbed stems. Give it the brightest spot you have, ideally direct sun, in a gritty, fast-draining mix. Water deeply but infrequently, letting the soil dry out completely before watering again — only water when the mix is bone dry several inches down.
About the genus
A genus-level overview — shared traits, history, the botany that ties these plants together — is on its way. For now, the species and cultivars above and below carry the genus.
Kept true by its growers
Cereus keeps evolving — species move, cultivars appear, IDs get corrected. If you can place an unplaced plant or add a species we’re missing, the whole genus gets truer.
Overview derived from 4 tracked species · the contribute flow arrives with the next slice.