How to Find Cactus in Minecraft Game: Minecraft, the beloved sandbox game, offers players a vast array of blocks to farm, build with, and utilize in various ways. Among these blocks are plant blocks, which serve both decorative and functional purposes. While many players may be familiar with sugar cane and bamboo, there is another intriguing plant block worth exploring: the cactus. In this guide, we will take a trip to the desert and delve into the fascinating world of cactus in Minecraft, including how to find them and their versatile applications.
What is Cactus in Minecraft?
Cactus is a unique plant block in Minecraft game, possessing some interesting mechanics. As one might expect, similar to its real-world counterpart, cactus plants in Minecraft have spines that inflict gradual damage upon players or mobs who come into contact with them. Although wearing armor can mitigate this damage, the armor itself also suffers wear and tear in the process. One of the most peculiar characteristics of cacti is their ability to delete items.
Functioning akin to lava, any item thrown onto a cactus block is instantly evaporated. Remarkably, even the mighty netherite items and gear, renowned as the strongest material in the Minecraft lore, prove futile against the prickly defense of this plant. Additionally, cacti have specific rules governing their placement. They can only be planted on sand, red sand, suspicious sand, or other existing cacti. Furthermore, it is no longer possible to place any other block directly adjacent to a cactus in Minecraft. When a new cactus block grows, it immediately breaks if there is a block attached to its side. This mechanic is essential to the functioning of a cactus farm.
Where You Can Find Cactus in Minecraft Game
Cacti can only be found in dry biomes within your Minecraft world. Your best bet is to explore the nearest desert biome, as it provides an ideal environment for these resilient plants. Interestingly, this is the primary distinction between a desert biome and a large beach, as cacti cannot be found on beaches. Moreover, another location to consider is the Badlands biome, although cacti are more prevalent in deserts than in the Badlands.
Cactus blocks can be mined using any tool or even by hand, without causing any damage to the player. Here’s a handy tip: if you break the bottommost cactus block, the ones above will automatically break, saving you the effort of breaking each one individually and eliminating the risk of losing items by falling onto the lower cactus block.
Additionally, if you stumble upon an igloo with a basement, you may find a potted cactus inside.
Cactus in Minecraft can also be found in pots and chests within specific desert village houses, although it is probable that you would have come across wild cacti before encountering them. However, if you are unable to locate any of these biomes, fear not, as wandering traders occasionally sell cacti for three emeralds.
How to Use Cactus in Minecraft
Cacti have several unique applications, making it advisable to start collecting this versatile plant block early on in the game. Let’s explore some of the ways you can make the most of cactus in Minecraft.
1. Making Green Dye: To obtain green dye, an essential ingredient for dyeing blocks such as terracotta, glass, concrete, beds, and obtaining colored wool from dyed sheep, you need to smelt a cactus in a Minecraft furnace. Not only will this process yield green dye, but it will also reward you with experience points. On the Bedrock Edition, where infinite lava generation is possible, you can create a furnace XP farm, which can be highly advantageous.
2. Breeding Camels: The latest update, Minecraft 1.20, introduced a remarkable addition to the game – camels. These passive and rideable mobs can be bred, and cacti serve as their favorite food. Additionally, cacti can accelerate the growth of baby camels. Riding a camel offers a unique experience, as they are tall and boast intriguing features. To learn more about camels, refer to our linked guides.
3. Composting: As cacti are plants, they can be placed in a composter in Minecraft. There is a 50% chance that adding a cactus to the composter will increase the compost level. If you have a cactus farm (which we will cover soon), but lack a mob farm, this method allows you to stock up on bone meal. Since bone meal is essential for farms like tree farms, having an ample supply can be highly advantageous.
4. Decoration: As previously mentioned, potted cacti can be found in the Minecraft world. These make for fantastic house plants, adding a touch of uniqueness to your in-game abode.
5. Trash Can: Although it may seem trivial, incorporating trash cans into your Minecraft world can be a practical idea. Particularly when dealing with an abundance of certain items, disposing of them on the ground can cause significant lag. Since cacti destroy items, they can serve as efficient trash cans. Placing a trap door above the cactus ensures that no items are accidentally deleted.
In conclusion, cactus in Minecraft offer a range of possibilities for players. Whether you utilize them for practical purposes like obtaining green dye, breeding camels, composting, or as decorative elements, these prickly plants are worth exploring and incorporating into your gameplay. Venture into the desert biomes, locate cacti, and unlock their potential in the world of Minecraft.