Minecraft is a sandbox game full of different blocks that players can farm, build with, or use in other ways. Among them are plant blocks, which are both decorative and functional. You're probably familiar with sugar cane because we can break it down into paper in Minecraft and create fireworks to boost around with elytra. There is also the amazing bamboo, which we can turn into bamboo wood in Minecraft 1.20. But in this guide, we'll take a trip to the desert and learn about cactus, one of the interesting plant blocks in Minecraft. We will also explain how to find cactus in Minecraft.

Cactus is a plant block in Minecraft with quite interesting mechanics. As you might have guessed, just like in the real world, cactus plants in Minecraft also have spikes that slowly damage the player or any mob that comes into contact with it. While armor protects you from this damage, it also takes damage in the process. One of the strangest properties of a cactus is that it removes objects.

The cactus works in the same way as lava, in that any object thrown at it vaporizes instantly. And yes, even Dutch items and equipment, the strongest material according to Minecraft lore, don't stand a chance against this spiky plant.

The cactus also has specific rules when it comes to planting it. You can only place it on sand, red sand, suspicious sand or other cacti. Also, you can no longer place any other block directly next to the cactus in Minecraft. When a new cactus block grows, it breaks immediately if there is a block on its side. This is a crucial mechanic because the cactus farm only works because of it.