• The prickly pear cactus spreads out across the ground, creating a desert ground cover.Bob Stefko/Photodisc/Getty Images
  
  Once established, the cactus garden requires very little care or maintenance to thrive for years. Cacti have the capability of subsisting on annual rainfall alone, which makes the plants ideal for xeriscapes. Select a location of the garden that receives full sunlight to plant cactus plants. The area will require well-draining soil so the root systems of the cacti do not suffer from wet or standing water conditions. Strategically placing large rocks in the garden can provide the cacti shade from the harsh sunlight and also replicate their natural habitat.
  
  

Desert Christmas Cactus

• The desert Christmas cactus (Opuntia leptocaulis) sports slender stems that measure only 1/4 inch in diameter. The cactus bush grows to a height of up to 3 feet but can attain a height of 6 feet when it grows under the shelter of desert trees. The spines of the cactus are reddish and measure up to 2 inches long. The cacti produce yellowish green flowers that measure 1 inch wide. The plant blossoms from May into June. Following flowering, it produces bright-red fruits that measure 1/2 inch in diameter and offer a striking appearance throughout the winter. Numerous cultivars of the cactus exist.
  
  Plant in well-draining soil. It does best if the nighttime temperature during the winter does not dip below 48 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the University of Oklahoma. The cactus can be planted directly in the ground or placed in a container and moved into a greenhouse during the winter.
  
  

Prickly Pear

• The prickly pear (Opuntia humifusa) grows across the ground and makes an acceptable desert cacti ground cover choice. Each pad of the plant measures 2 to 6 inches in length. More than 200 cultvars exist, some with spines and some without. During the spring, the cactus produces yellow blossoms that measure up to 4 inches in length. Red, egg-shaped fruit are produced following flowers. The fruit is edible as a fresh fruit.
  
  The cacti root wherever their fleshy pads touch the ground. It is drought tolerant and grows best in well-draining soil. It does not tolerate soggy soil. The plant grows well when placed directly in the garden or in a container. It thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 5 to 10.
  
  

Silver Torch

• The silver torch cactus (Cleistocactus strausii) grows to a height of 8 feet in a column shape. It averages around 2 1/2 inches in diameter with 25 ribs and grows in large clumps. The entire cactus appears to be covered in long white fur. Native to Bolivia and Argentina, the plant thrives in full sunlight or partial shade. It can withstand a temperature drop to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. It appreciates a minimum average temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
  
  When the cactus attains a height of 18 inches, it begins to produce dark burgundy blossoms in abundance. The color looks striking against the white fur covering of the cactus. The flowers appear on the sides of the column and protrude horizontally. Water the silver torch cactus during the summer to encourage growth. Abstain from watering in the winter.