Check out the list of Amazing Cactus with Arms that add charm and character to any space. Find your own green-arm companion.
Look at Amazing Cactus with Arms, where nature takes on an unexpected twist. These captivating plants bring you the rugged beauty of cacti with arms, showcasing nature’s creativity at its finest.
Check out Beautiful Cactus With Pink Flowers here
Amazing Cactus with Arms
1. Saguaro Cactus
Botanical Name: Carnegiea gigantea
The Saguaro cactus is found in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, the Mexican State of Sonora, and the Whipple Mountains and Imperial County areas of California. It grows very slowly when it is young but is counted among the best cactus with arms due to its stem growth.
Did you know? Small birds make holes inside the soft flesh of the Saguaro to build their nests, while larger ones build nests on the cactus’s arms.
2. Fairy Castle Cactus
Botanical Name: Acanthocereus tetragonus
The Fairy Castle Cactus comes from Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the southern United States. This cactus grows slowly and is easy to take care of. When fully grown, the Fairy Castle Cactus reaches a height of 6 feet.
The plant gets its name because its multiple stems, which come in different lengths, look like the towers of a castle.
Learn How to Grow Fishbone Cactus here
3. African Milk Tree Cactus
Botanical Name: Euphorbia trigona
This plant has stems that are shaped like triangles and have three distinct sides with ridges. The ridges are covered in thorns and have tear-drop-shaped leaves. With a cluster of closely packed stems, this cactus with arms shows its beautiful shape.
During its growing season, the African Milk Tree remains green and lush, and new growth appears light green.
Note: It may look like a cactus with arms, but it belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family, not Cactaceae.
Learn How to Grow African Milk Tree Cactus here
4. Branched Pencil Cholla
Botanical Name: Cylindropuntia Ramosissima
A Branched Pencil Cholla is a unique cactus that can grow in a spreading or upright manner and can reach a maximum height of about 6 feet. It has numerous slender branches composed of cylindrical segments.
The surface of the branches is divided into square-shaped, flat bumps called tubercles, giving it a striking and exotic look.
5. Calico Cactus
Botanical Name: Echinocereus Engelmannii
Looking for a small cactus with arms? The Calico Cactus is the one for you. It grows in small groups, usually with around eight to ten stems that can reach up to 2 feet in height. A single mature plant can have as many as 50 or 60 stems.
The cactus has many spines that come in different colors, such as reddish-brown or gray. It also has beautiful pink and yellow flowers.
6. Candelabra Cactus
Botanical Name: Euphorbia lactea
Also known as Mottled spurge, this plant resembles a cactus but is actually a succulent shrub. The branches or arms have a green color with white lines and sometimes grow in a wavy or crested shape.
In the summer, small leaves may appear briefly but fall off quickly, leaving the plant without leaves. If you’re been searching for a simple cactus with arms, this is perfect for you.
Note: The plant resembles a cactus, but it is a succulent shrub from the Euphorbiaceae family, not a true cactus.
Looking for large cactus to grow indoors? Check these out!
7. Organ-Pipe Cactus
Botanical Name: Stenocereus thurberi
The organ-pipe cactus is a plant that is native to Mexico and southern Arizona in the United States. It can grow quite tall, reaching heights of about 16 to 26 feet.
The multiple long, columnar stems of this cactus with arms emerge from the base of the cactus or not too far above it, give it the shape of a candelabra.
8. Blue Myrtle Cactus
Botanical Name: Myrtillocactus geometrizans
The Blue Myrtle-Cactus are tree-like cacti with arms and a bluish-grey color. The variety grows tall and has many branches, forming a dense cluster of stems that are closely packed together.
Taking care of it is easy, but it requires a lot of space, just like it would in its natural environment. The stems of this cactus can reach up to 14 feet in height and are around 4 inches thick.
Check the Best Types of Columnar Cactus Varieties here
9. Key Tree Cactus
Botanical Name: Pilosocereus robinii
The Key Tree cactus definitely tops our list of the best cactus with arms. Also called the Forbes’ Christmas cactus or Thanksgiving cactus, it is native to the Caribbean and Mexico.
The cactus has cylindrical stems with ribs and can grow up to 6 to 10 feet tall. It usually has small spines or areole clusters along the stems.
10. Totem Pole Cactus
Botanical Name: Pachycereus schottii f. monstrous
The Totem Pole Cactus is a unique and artistic cactus. It grows slowly and has tall, columnar stems that branch out at the bottom, resembling a candelabra.
The stems can be up to 5 inches wide and have a smooth, waxy texture with a lime-green color.
Want something unique? Here are Rare Cactus Plants to Grow
11. Jumping Cholla Cactus 
Botanical Name: Cylindropuntia fulgida
Need an exotic cactus with arms to spruce up your landscape? We’ve got you covered! The Jumping Cholla Cactus is known for its unique spines. It has clusters of long, sharp spines that can easily detach and stick to anything that gets too close, which is why it’s called the “jumping” cactus.
The plant can reach a height of 4 to 8 feet. In spring, it produces colorful pink to purple flowers, adding beauty to its intimidating appearance.
12. Dog Tail Cactus
Botanical Name: Strophocactus testudo
The Dog Tail Cactus is a special and eye-catching cactus with arms that grabs attention. Also known as the Fishbone Cactus or Ric Rac Cactus, it is a unique epiphytic cactus native to the rainforests of Mexico.
This cactus looks different from other plants and stands out and produces eye-catching, fragrant white or pale yellow flowers that bloom at night.
7 Unusual Tricks to Grow a Big, Bold, and Bushier Christmas Cactus
13. Devil’s Rope Cactus
Botanical Name: Cylindropuntia imbricata
The Devil’s Rope Cactus with arms has spiky, jointed stems with small green oval-shaped pads. It grows up to 3 to 6 feet tall and is native to North America.
The cactus has reddish-brown spines and produces yellow or red flowers in spring. Be careful, as its spines can cause irritation if touched.
14. Giant Madagascar Palm
Botanical Name: Pachypodium laneri
The Giant Madagascar Palm is a tall, thick-stemmed succulent tree reaching heights of 15 to 30 feet. It originates from Madagascar, Africa, and is a unique cactus with arms that grabs everyone’s attention.
This plant has a grayish-brown trunk with sharp spines along the branches and green leaves at the top.
Note: The Giant Madagascar Palm might seem like a cactus with arms, but it belongs to the Apocynaceae family, not the Cactaceae family, making it a distinct succulent tree.
15. San Pedro Cactus
Botanical Name: Echinopsis pachanoi
The San Pedro Cactus is an amazing columnar cactus with arms that can grow up to 6 to 20 feet tall. It is native to the Andes mountains in South America and is incredibly low maintenance.
The cactus has a light to dark green color with ridges along its stems and produces large white flowers.
Cactus Tattoo Meaning and Ideas
16. Armatocereus rauhii subsp.
Botanical Name: Armatocereus rauhii subsp.
The Armatocereus rauhii subsp., has tall, slender stems and is one of the few cactus with arms that have ribbed patterns.
It is found in South America and also gives rise to small pink or white blooms that adorn its stems. The cactus has a greenish-blue hue and long spines growing along its sides.
17. Armatocereus mataranus
Botanical Name: Armatocereus mataranus
The Armatocereus mataranu is a tall columnar cactus found in South America, mainly in the Andes mountains of Peru and Bolivia.
It has long green stems that are ribbed, dividing it into sections, making it a beautiful cactus with arms.
18. Cane Cactus
Botanical Name: Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica
The Cane Cactus has cylindrical, segmented stems with a greenish color and grows up to 6 to 13 feet tall. Native to South America, the cactus has small clusters of spines along its segments.
With the bright golden-yellow spines covering its light green stems, this lovely cactus with arms variety looks like it’s asking for a hug.
