I'm fairly sure it hadn't been anted though, especially since i can see where new spikes have been growing, and they're purple too, but thank you for that!

check the cactus on the left in this photo:

purple cactus sold at Wal-Mart

and a discussion here: reddit colored cacti discussion

i think thats it, thank you so much!

Eli

Yes, they are painted. Doesn't matter if just the spines or whole plants, they are still painted. You will not find that kind of cacti growing naturally. Some species have spikes that are naturally purplish or dark maroon or some other color. Thankfully, the plant It will eventually outgrow crazy paint, even if it may take a while...

Hey Eli T!

It is a Desert Gems cactus from Costa Farms. These cacti are artificially colored, but we don't spray paint them (so they still grow and breathe just like an untreated cactus). They grow best in a bright spot --- the more light, the better. As the other folks have pointed out, new growth will come out white. While we haven't come up with a way for you to continue to treat your Desert Gems after you buy them, some people have told us they've kept their Desert Gems colorful by pinching off the new growth as it develops.

---Justin, Costa Farms

Justin what genus/species is that cactus? "Desert Gems" is a marketing name, not a botanical one.

Justin,

This plant marketing scheme is in extremely poor taste, if it had any. While I appreciate you at least responding here to the above poster's question, you should know that that response is replete with ignorant anathema. it seems to me.

Hi Hoovb: The genus is Mammillaria, though I'm not sure of the specific epithet or variety. Our growers don't like to talk about it so we can try to stay ahead of other companies that would copy it and do the same thing.

Cactusmcharris: I understand your sentiments and appreciate the fact you find these plants distasteful. To be honest, I do not like them, either. However, the indoor plant market is not growing. Fewer and fewer people are buying indoor plants. We are producing Desert Gems to try and catch the attention of new folks --- the ones who are "plant blind" and don't even notice indoor plants when they walk by them. It's our hope that we can attract their attention, get them to try a plant, and then be more open to growing traditional Houseplants in the future to grow the industry. Will it work? Who knows, but it's something we're trying. I know Desert Gems don't appeal to real plant lovers like me and yourself, but if there were more of us out there, we wouldn't need to try marketing gimmicks with plants in the first place.

Thanks for the thoughtful and kind response to my rabid proclamation, Justin. I understand why it's done, and while I don't agree with it, no one's asking me to do so anyway. If this particular technique causes the cactus-interest folk to noticeably increase, I'll eat my toque on bi-national television.

Sadly, many people's interest in the world of plants extends only to which plant, cooked, looks nice next to the steak on their plate.

We at Costa Farms are hoping to change that, hoovb, but sadly, it's not an easy thing, especially since we're just a wholesale grower... It is heartening to hear from college kids, though, who bought Desert Gems and love them --- and then tell us they'd like to get another plant "friend" for their Gems.

Justin, Costa Farms

Your plan is working. My fiancée bought me a red desert gem for my desk at work. I now have 2 (one red & one blue and yes they’re doing well with lots of white growth which is so exciting - it’s growing not dying!!) I also have 11 different succulents/cacti now and 5+ typical house plants. I had nothing before - these are an awesome way to see indoor gardening success for starters and they look beautiful.

Great to hear!

Reach out if you ever have any questions about your plants. :-)

---Justin
Costa Farms Horticulturist