About
Astrophytum ornatum is a cactus that typically grows in a spherical to columnar shape, reaching heights of up to 35 cm. It features 6 to 8 ribs that are either straight or occasionally spiral. The surface is light green and adorned with small, woolly scales arranged in cross bands. The close-set areoles produce spines that are either brown or yellow. In summer, this plant produces pale yellow flowers.
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
- 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
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Patio and container plants
- Native to
- CE 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 mealybugs and scale insects
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free