When do Cacti Bloom in Arizona?

When Do Cacti Bloom in Arizona?  In general, you can expect blooms from late February to June but this answer isn’t simple as different cacti bloom at different times of the spring blooming season depending on the region you’re in and can look very different based on the type of cactus.  

Arizona is known for its variety of natural wonders, ranging from the Grand Canyon National Park to Antelope Canyon. The Sonoran Desert is a huge contributor to Arizona’s beauty, especially in cities like Tucson. In the Sonoran Desert, among other things, you can find the giant Saguaro cacti. The Saguaro cacti are well-known due to their impressive size, but there are different types of cacti living all over Arizona. Each year, Arizona receives an influx of visitors going to see the parks, plants, and other wildlife in the state, including the cacti.  Follow along, we’ll tell you all about Arizona cacti and how/when they bloom.

Cactus Flowers

Do cacti have flowers?

The short answer to this question is yes, all cacti can have flowers. Cacti are flowering plants, so they all have the ability to have flowers. But, to bloom, the cactus must be mature enough. For example, some cacti do not bloom until they are thirty years old, as that is the maturing period for that species. 

Another important aspect of flowering is proper blooming conditions. The cactus must have received proper light, water, and fertilization to grow flowers. If not, they may never bloom and grow flowers.  This is especially true for indoor and holiday cacti, but less common with outdoor Arizona cacti. 

What do cactus flowers look like? 

Cactus flowers are just like any other flower. They range in look, color, and size based on the cactus’ species, care conditions, and age. 

The saguaro cactus tends to have white flowers with yellow centers that are about 3 inches in diameter. They grow in bunches near the top of the cacti’s stems and arms, not at the bottom or middle of the plant. A saguaro’s flowers are interesting, as they usually emit a strong smell, that can be described as smelling like an overripe melon. It’s funny to me that such a huge cactus has such a small flower.

Prickly pear cacti usually have red, yellow, or purple flowers. The color of the flower can range in this cactus, even within the same species. Some of the flowers have a different interior color than outer color, which can make yellow flowers seem orange, or red flowers seem pink. 

One of my favorites in the cacti family is one called Cholla, or jumping cholla.  As the sun is setting they look as if they are glowing, it’s quite spectacular and the flower on this species is soft and delicate amongst it’s very thorny exterior.

If you are walking through the desert one species of cactus that is prevalent is the hedgehog cactus.  They can produce a magenta/hot pink flower with what looks like 2 more layers of flowers in the middle of the show stopper that looks so fascinating on the desert floor.  

As you can see, cactus flowers can range in size, color, and even smell, dependent on the cactus and species. 

When do cacti typically bloom in Arizona?

There is no one answer to this question, as cactus flowers bloom at different times during the year. The most common blooming season, however, is definitely the spring. Most cacti’s flowers open during the day and close at night, though some species open at night. 

Cacti like to rest all through the winter and take in the spring rains before opening up their flowers for the world to see. If they rest in the winter and have plentiful spring rain, they display stunning displays of flowers in the spring, before the weather is too hot. Even if there isn’t ample rainfall in the spring, cacti still bloom and flower, using their stored water to flower. But, the flowering is significantly more impressive following a spring with abundant rain. Summer blooming also occurs, especially in Arizona cacti. Cacti that store an abundance of water can bloom extravagantly in the summer, even as temperatures climb. 

While most cacti open their flowers during the day, some species flower at night. This allows them to save their water during the warmer months. The peruvian apple cactus and night blooming cereus are two species whose flowers open at night. 

Arizona Cactus Blooming

As Arizona has both an abundance of cacti and a diverse blooming period, let’s get more into the details of Arizona blooms. 

Best time of day to see Arizona’s cactus flowers:

As most cacti open during the day, you’ll definitely want to go see the flowers during the day instead of in the evening. The best time of day tends to be mid-morning. By that time, the flowers are open but haven’t started to wilt from the midday heat yet. Remember, even though it is spring, you’re still in Arizona, which is lots of desert. Spring temperatures can get quite hot, so try to enjoy the flowers in the middle of the morning before both you and the cactus are too hot. 

Best season to see Arizona’s cactus flowers: 

There’s a range of months where you can see the cacti blooming, starting as early as November and lasting through September. March, April, May, and June are all peak periods, where you’re likely to see prickly pear and saguaro flowers, so try to visit sometime between March and June.  

Where to see the cacti bloom:

There are definitely a variety of locations you can go to to see cactus flowers bloom in Arizona. Of course, you can visit the botanical gardens, conservatories, or one of Arizona’s 17 state parks to see the blooms. Another option is to take a scenic drive through one of the various routes available. The Catalina Scenic Highway takes you through the Sonoran Desert and is best to visit from March to June. Or, try out the Apache Trail Scenic Drive located just east of Phoenix in early spring, March and April, to see the cacti bloom there, one of our favorites!  A special note about the Apache Trail Scenic Drive- If you are driving from Apache Junction to Tortilla Flats, that’s open, but as of Fall 2019, beyond Tortilla Flats that section of road is now permanently closed due to fires and road erosion. A great hike to see a lot of varieties of cacti is Hieroglyphic Trail at the base of Superstition Mountain Range in Gold Canyon.  Usery Mountain Regional Park is also a spectacular area with blooming cactus and outstanding views. Those are just a few of my favorite spots.  

Tucson’s location in the Sonoran Desert makes it a perfect starting point to see the cactus blooming, especially if you’re interested in saguaro cacti. Tucson offers far more cacti varieties than just the saguaro, however. Prickly pears, hedgehog cacti, barrel cacti, and teddy bear cholla, pencil cholla, and beavertail cacti are just some of the other species that are native to Tucson. 

Consider some of these locations in and around Tucson:

• Tucson Mountain Park
• Ironwood Forest National Monument
• Saguaro National Park
• Pima and Finger Rock canyons

All in all, Arizona offers a wide range of types of cactus, type of flower, blooming period, and viewing location. Be sure to take a super close look at those gorgeous blooms as there is so much detail inside that flower it’ll actually be really mind-blowing how something so prickly can make something so beautiful and intricate.  It is the perfect place to experience the cactus bloom and learn more about the other wildlife and beautiful blooming plants that Arizona has to offer.