About
Astrophytum capricorne is a spherical to ovoid cactus, typically reaching heights of 20 to 25 cm and a diameter of around 10 cm. It features 7 to 9 ribs that are a light green, adorned with white flecks. The plant is characterized by its long, twisted spines, which are yellowish-brown. In the summer, it produces yellow flowers measuring between 6 and 10 cm.
About the genus
Astrophytum consists of small, perennial cacti characterized by their ribbed, rounded or elongated stems. These plants feature areoles that may be covered in wool and occasionally have short spines. In the summer, they produce large, solitary flowers shaped like funnels, which are followed by berries that can be red or green.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
- Plant type
- Cactus Succulent, Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0-0.1 metre
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
- Native to
- NE Mexico
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Under glass grow in a sharply-draining, peat-free, loam-based compost with extra sharp sand, or a proprietary cactus compost, in bright filtered light. Water thoroughly once the compost has become dry in the growing season from spring to early-autumn, but keep dry when dormant. In warmer climates outdoors grow in sharply drained, poor, slightly alkaline soil in full sun
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown at 21°C in early spring
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to scale insects and mealybugs under glass
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free