Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden

Ethel M Chocolates' Botanical Cactus Garden is not only Nevada's largest, but one of the world's largest cactus gardens. Based on the English landscape model of naturalistic design, the Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden features four acres of drought-tolerant ornamentals, cacti, and other succulents.

With a landscape base of 15,000 cubic yards of sandy fill and a special planting soil, the beds were raised and rookeries constructed using 400 tons of rock, thereby providing the best possible viewing experience for visitors.

Over 300 species of plants can be found on the grounds. Half are cacti and succulents largely native to the American Southwest, and the rest are desert trees and shrubs from the Southwestern United States, Australia, and South America. All of these plants were chosen both for the beauty of their floral displays and their ability to adapt to the climate of Southern Nevada. The types of rock used are Utah Bali Hai chocolate and Arizona moss rock (from the Grand Canyon region).

Here's a list of some of the plants you'll discover in the Cactus Garden:

• Beaver Tail
• Variegated Century Plant
• Pithecellobium
• Ocotillo
• Compass Barrel
• Maguey Century Plant
• Spotted Aloe
• Twisted Acacia and Bird
• Bishop's Cap
• Soaptree Yucca
• Organ Pipe
• Teddy Bear Cholla
• Wooly Butterfly Bush
• Desert Milkweed
• Texas Prickly Pear
• Creosote

The Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Garden are open daily from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm. Admission is free and tours are self-guided.