About
Clump-forming perennial cactus, eventually to 3m tall, with upright stems branching from the base, each with warty ribs. Grey-woolly areoles have white hairs and yellow to reddish-brown spines and single, pale purplish-pink flowers to 9cm long, brownish-red outside, are borne in summer.
About the genus
A genus of cacti native to the high Andes and covered in a woolly, white coating and long brown spines. They produce trumpet-shaped red flowers in the spring
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeCactus Succulent
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesHouseplants
Native toChile
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass grow in cactus compost in a well-lit position; water regularly from spring to summer to keep the compost just moist, and apply a liquid fertiliser monthly. Keep dry at other times. For more information see houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed at 21°C in spring or summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free