About
Large, trumpet-shaped white flowers to 25cm across are produced on mature plants in summer. A large, slow-growing perennial cactus, up to 4m high at maturity, with thick, blue-green, upright and sometimes branching stems to 20cm thick. Stems have 6-8 broad ribs, and felted areoles producing clusters of brown spines.
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
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeCactus Succulent, Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesHouseplants, Patio and container plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow under glass, or in patio containers and overwinter in a greenhouse, in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added grit. Water moderately when in growth, sparingly when dormant. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser two or three times in the growing season. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for more advice
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed, sown uncovered at 24ºC, or by stem cuttings, allowing at least 20cm for each cutting
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mealybugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free