Cereus forbesii (Forbes cactus)

Cereus forbesii is a columnar cactus from arid South America, forming upright blue-green stems that adapt well to full sun and fast-draining soils.

The typical species is less widely grown than its unusual horticultural forms.

What makes the cultivars of Cereus forbesii distinctive?

Several cultivated forms have become far more recognizable than the standard species. Cereus forbesii Ming Thing is a well-known monstrose selection with irregular clustered growth, while Cereus forbesii Spiralis develops dramatic vertical spiraling stems that make it a striking architectural specimen. Both forms thrive in warm, dry conditions and are favored in collections for their unusual shapes and strong visual presence.