About
Cereus validus is a tall, columnar cactus that can grow up to 4 meters in height. Its stems are deeply ribbed and exhibit a dull bluish-green to grey-green coloration, adorned with groups of long spines. In early autumn, it produces large, cup-shaped flowers that are red and white, blooming at night.
About the genus
This genus comprises approximately 33 species of sizable, columnar cacti that originate from South America. They feature ribbed, spiny stems. The flowers, which are large and funnel-shaped, open at night, primarily in white but occasionally in shades of pink, purple, yellow, green, and, on rare occasions, cream.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1C
Plant details
- Plant type
- Cactus Succulent
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Suggested uses
- Houseplants, Patio and container plants
- Toxicity
- Handle with care due to prickly spines. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow under glass in a standard cactus compost, in full light. Water freely when in growth and keep almost dry at other times. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed in early spring or root cuttings of young branches in late spring or early summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to mealy bugs and scale insects
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free