About
This cactus with flattened, spherical dark green stems singly or in clusters to 5cm thick, with weakly notched ribs and clusters of recurved spines which broadly resemble small spiders. Large, cup-shaped flowers are usually yellow or orange, though occasionally white or red, and appear in late spring or early summer.
About the genus
Echinopsis can have spherical or cylindrical, heavily ribbed and spiny stems, with funnel-shaped flowers in spring or summer
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeCactus Succulent
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread0-0.1 metre
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesHouseplants
Native toBolivia
Care notes
CultivationGrow under glass in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added extra grit. Water moderately when in growth, sparingly when dormant. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser 2 or 3 times in the growing season
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed sown at 21ºC in spring, or by division, removing offsets in spring or summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mealybugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free