Some of Florida ’s aboriginal cacti , including the semaphore and the key Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree cacti of the Florida Keys , are verging on experimental extinction because of land development and the invasion of cactus - exhaust caterpillars ( Cactoblastis cactorum ) . The Sunshine State ’s gardeners , however , still have a wide choice of attractive cacti tolerant of Florida ’s highly humid summers . They grade from low - growing plants suitable for small areas to speedy growers for prompt garden interest in big landscape .

Triangle Cactus

Triangle cactus ( Acanthocereus tetragonus ) is a rapidly growing plant – more than 6 foot per year , according to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center ( LBJWC ) . It sprawls , leans or climbs over border objects . Its areoles bring on clusters of up to eight 1- to 2 - inch spines . grow godforsaken in Florida ’s coastal orbit thickets , Triangulum cactus is a nocturnal bloomer . From July to September , its clean , mildly fragrant 2- to 4 - column inch flowers — attractive to hummingbird moths – clear late at night and close at dawn . Triangle cactus also has edible , shiny cherry fruit . Cold audacious to 20 degrees F , it likes a part shady locating with sandlike , moist soil , but will endure heating plant and drought . plant life where its sharp vertebral column wo n’t endanger passersby .

Devil’s Tongue

Devil ’s lingua ( Opuntia humifusa ) , or smooth bristled pear tree , is a low - originate repeated ( up to 8 inches high ) native to Florida ’s dry , arenaceous area . take form cluster as wide as 3 feet , it has plane unripened pads and numerous clusters of midget barbellate thorns . These toxic thorns , cautions the LBJ WC , will cause severe skin and eye irritation . From May to July , showy icteric flowers appear along the edges of the industrial plant ’s pads . Reddish - purple fruit , edible in the buff or as preserves , follows the blossom . The works ’s launching pad and seeds are also edible . Remove the thorns with a moist cloth or by baking or roasting and peeling the pad before eat up . industrial plant drought and heating plant - tolerant devil ’s tongue in full sunshine and dry , flaxen grease .

Night Blooming Cereus

gardener in freeze - free areas of Florida , says Cornell University ’s Cooperative Extension , can produce nighttime blossom cereus ( Hylocerus undatus ) . A go up cactus destitute of prickle , night flower cereus is native to Arizona ’s Sonora Desert . Trained on a fence or trellis , plant may develop to 40 feet . They also work in container . dark bloom genus Cereus efflorescence at two - workweek intervals from midsummer to fall . plant life do n’t usually bloom until they are at least four yr onetime . Flowering increases yearly after that .

The cactus buds along its stem turn bound , with the buds ready to open after a week . The exceptionally fragrant , 7 - inch bloodless blooms – standardized to magnolia – start open at dusk . They often go on extend until midnight , wilting as daylight restoration . works Nox blooming genus Cereus in a sunny location with well - drained land . With good afternoon ghost , this heating plant - tolerant cactus tolerates temperature surmount 100 degree F.

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