About
Copiapoa hypogaea is a perennial cactus known for its slow growth and distinctive cluster of short, rounded stems. The stems range in color from dark green to brown and typically measure 6 to 7 cm in diameter, featuring 12 or more prominent ribs. Each areole is covered in white wool and bears a limited number of white radial spines. In the summer, this cactus produces yellow flowers.
About the genus
Copiapoa comprises slow-growing cacti characterized by either solitary or clustered stems that feature prominent ribs. In the summer months, they produce funnel-shaped yellow blossoms.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Sand, Chalk, Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
- Plant type
- Cactus Succulent
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- Up to 10 cm
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Houseplants
- Native to
- N Chile
- Toxicity
- Handle with care due to prickly spines
Care notes
- Cultivation
- In milder areas, may be grown outdoors in gritty, poor soil in full sun. Protect from excess winter wet. In colder areas, grow under glass in a mix of 3 parts standard cactus compost and one part perlite. This is a desert plant, native to one of the driest regions of the world; water moderately from spring to early autumn and keep dry in winter. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for more details
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown at 19-24°C (66-75°F) in early spring, or by division, removing offsets in summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to mealybugs when grown under glass
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free