Cacti are native to any location that is dry and has sandy soil. These unusual cactus plants from the succulent family come in various sizes, shapes, and colors. Some cacti (called air cacti) grow without soil, and the saguaro cactus in the Arizona desert can reach a height of 20 feet and live to be 175 years old despite the harsh condition they live in.
Some cactus produce blooms; some have sharp protruding spines, some grow straight up, and others spill over the planter and grow downward. All store water and can survive for long periods without added moisture.
Before giving a cactus as a gift, discover the meaning of these attractive, easy-care plants so you won’t stick someone with the wrong plant.
You’re Tough
Cacti are tough and able to endure some of the harshest growing conditions and thrive. Someone going through a difficult time would be a suitable recipient of a cactus. It will symbolize that you think they are vital in the face of adversity and will survive.
The beauty of a cactus is that it’s not just one thing; there are many different types of cacti. You could give a person a cactus representing their personality or what they like. A cactus can be an ornamental plant too. A cactus flower comes in various bright colors, from yellow flowers to bright pink; there is an array of flowers in cacti. The best part about giving a cactus as a gift is that it lasts forever. A cactus doesn’t need much care, and it’s straightforward to keep alive. So when you’re looking for a present for someone special, look no further than a cactus!
Cactus Spiritual Meaning
Cacti can be used for healing purposes too. Blossoming cacti bring vital cactus energy into your life. This translate into your life being blessed with fertility, prosperity, and good luck.
The cactus blooms are said to have a positive effect on the mind. It is believed that when you see the flowers of the cacti, it will help you to become more happy and contented. The colors of the cacti also help to improve your memory. Try wearing them around your neck for maximum benefits.
Resilient Fighter
Being given a cactus symbolizes that the giver considers you a resilient fighter. After everything you have gone through, you can bounce back and become a winner. Having a cactus as a houseplant to be frequently seen symbolizes encouragement and a reminder that you can handle whatever life throws your way. The spiritual meaning of a cactus plant is one of resilience while going through a tough time.
Motherly Love
Cacti are strong, enduring, protective, and symbolize a mother’s love. In real life, the cactus has been used for medicinal purposes through the centuries and is associated with healing and nurturing, like a mother’s love.
Aloe vera is a member of the succulent family and is well-known for its properties promoting the healing of minor burns. The gel harvested from the inside aloe vera is used in many health remedies, and so is the gel and juice from other cacti.
Protection
A cactus symbolizes protection and means that you want to protect the recipient. In Feng Shui, a cactus placed in a window or on a back patio will protect your home from negative energy entering.
On the other hand, if the succulent plant is placed near a front entrance, it will attract bad energy into the home. If you receive a cactus as a gift, put it far away from the front door to be on the safe side.
The spines on a prickly pear cactus protect it from desert predators that would devour it for food and moisture. The plant spines can be round, needle-like, curved, hair-like, or hooked, and all serve as a defense for the plant. Cactus symbolism is often misunderstood because people only see the spines and don’t realize that the plant is pretty beautiful.
- Prickly Pear Cactus meaning is “courage.”
The prickly pear cactus is known for its ability to withstand harsh environments. It can grow in areas where nothing else can live, as long as bright light is in the background. This makes it an excellent choice for gifts as it produces beautiful flowers. This spiny plant is native to North America and Mexico. They are found throughout the Southwest United States and parts of Central America. The cactus is called the cholla, nopal, ocotillo, and hedgehog. In foreign countries, like Italy, the prickly pear cactus fruit is eaten as a dessert.
Attraction
In Japanese culture, a flowering cactus means you are attracted to the person you’re giving it to. It symbolizes giving the person a lusty love letter without writing a word.
In Western society, the meaning of a flowering cactus is quite the opposite. The spines on a cactus symbolize the flower’s protection and the recipient’s purity. It is considered a symbol of chastity.
Since many people don’t know the symbolic meaning of a cactus, don’t read too much into receiving one as a gift unless there are other indications of the giver’s feeling towards you.
Cactus Flower Meaning
- A cactus that produces bright red blooms are often given as a birthday gift. The red colors symbolize pure love and birth, like those produced by the Christmas cactus around Christmas time.
- Yellow blooms symbolize strength and endurance, but a non-blooming cactus also symbolizes that.
- White, orange, and purple blooming cacti have no separate meaning other than that of the plant itself – strength and endurance.
- Green blooms mean good luck and prosperity.
- Blue blooms represent faithfulness and loyalty.
- Pink blooms signify happiness and joy.
- White blooms mean purity and innocence.
- Red blooms mean passion and romance.
- Purple blooms mean wisdom and knowledge.
- Orange blooms mean friendship and harmony
