Monkey Tail Cactus

Hildewintera colademononis

Monkey Tail Cactus, also known as Cleistocactus demonononis, looks just like monkey tails hanging from baskets. The tails can grow more than 12 inches each year, and their spines are soft to the touch.

Other Cleistocactus are Wooly Torch (C. strausii) and Foxtail (C. ferrarii).

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Most Popular Types

Just the Monkey Tail!

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Light

Bright, indirect light

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Temperatures

Monkey Tail cactus can tolerate temps as low as 20°F.

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Watering

Water weekly during its growing season in spring and summer. Lightly water it in the winter when the soil is completely dry.

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Toxicity

Toxic to pets and humans

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Growth

Monkey Tail cactus has a trailing growth pattern and does best in hanging baskets. It can grow more than 12 inches per year.

Bright red flowers appear along the “tails” iin spring and early summer.

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Origin

Rocky soil of Santa Cruz, Bolivia

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Propagation

While it can be propagated from seed, it is easiest to propagate Monkey Tail cactus from cuttings. Cut 4-5 inch sections and allow ends to callous several days before placing them in slightly moist soil in dappled sunlight. The cuttings typically root within a month.

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Dormancy

Winter dormant

Hildewinteri colademononis monkey tail cactus

Hildewinteri colademononis monkey tail cactus started from seed

monkey tail cactus – Cleistocactus colademononis

Monkey tail cactus we purchased from a private collection.

monkey tail cactus

Monkey tail cactus is very showy, covered with blooms in the spring.

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Ferocactus

Ferocactus is a genus with about 30 varieties of large barrel cactus with large spines and tiny flowers. Young ferocactus look like a column, but they fill out as they get older. Many have hooked spines.

Some ferocacti host ant colonies that are drawn in by nectar exuded near the top spines.

Close View Of Ferocactus Wislizeni In Botanical Garden

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Most Popular Types

Ferocactus latispinus has spines that curve back toward the cactus. Ferocactus histrix has a slate blue surface and yellow spines.

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Light

Full sun

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Temperatures

Ferocactus cannot withstand freezing temperatures for long periods. We recommend bringing your cactus indoors when nighttime temps drop to 40°F.

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Watering

Water sparingly and infrequently.

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Toxicity

No toxic effects have been reported. The spines could be dangerous, though.

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Growth

The young cacti are columnar, then they round out. As they get older, they grow upward again.

Flowers appear after about 10 years in early to late spring.

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Origin

Altiplano of Mexico

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Propagation

There are a few ferocactus varieties that can be propagated by offsets, however the most common way to grow new ferocactus is from seed.

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Dormancy

Winter dormant.

Ferocactus alamosanus

Ferocactus alamosarus appears to have blood spattered on its spines, but it has beautiful yellow flowers in the spring.

Blue barrel cacstus – Ferocactus glaucescens

Close View Of Ferocactus Wislizeni In Botanical Garden

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Euphorbia

Euphorbia cacti take all shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing in common: the white sap that appears when the surface of the stem is broken. These are great collector’s pieces, but they should be kept away from mischievous kids or pets.

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Most Popular Types

Cathedral Cactus (Euphorbia trigona), African Milk Tree (E. lacteal), Fire Sticks (E. tirucalli), Crown of Thorns (E. Milii), Poinsettia (E. pulcherima)

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Light

Full sun

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Temperatures

Can withstand temperatures down to 33°F

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Watering

Water when soil is completely dry.

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Toxicity

The white sap from Euphorbia is a skin and eye irritant, toxic if ingested.

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Growth

Some varieties such as the cathedral cactus can reach 15 ft in height. May produce yellow flowers in summer.

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Origin

Tropical Africa, Madagascar, Europe, Asia

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Propagation

Stem cuttings

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Dormancy

Winter dormant

Euphorbia tirucalli fire sticks

Euphorbia tirucalli is known as pencil cactus or fire sticks

Euphorbia millii crown of thorns

Euphorbia millii crown of thorns can be found in many colors.

Euphorbia millii crown of thorns bloom

Closeup of the crown of thorns (Euphorbia millii) bloom

Euphorbia ingens

Euphorbia ingens is often called the candelabra tree.

Euphorbia ingens (2)

This variety of Euphorbia ingens is variegated.

Euphorbia ammak

Euphorbia ammak is similar to the candelabra euphorbia, however it doesn’t branch out as widely.

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Cereus

Cereus – Alpine Cactus

Cereus cacti that grow in alpine conditions are torch-shaped, typically with spikes widely spaced in vertical rows. There are also tropical varieties of Cereus, however this post covers alpine only. Most varieties bloom for short periods during the night, attracting moths for pollination.

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Most Popular Types

Peruvian Torch cactus, also known as the Peruvian apple cactus, is the most popular alpine Cereus variety.

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Light

Full sun for alpine varieties

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Temperatures

Cereus can withstand temperatures down to 50°F

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Watering

Drench the soil monthly if it is kept indoors, or weekly if it is outdoors. Water infrequently, only once or twice, during the winter.

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Toxicity

Non-toxic to humans and pets. Fruits are edible.

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Growth

This columnar cactus can reach 45ft in height in its native environment.

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Origin

South America

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Propagation

Cuttings

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Dormancy

Winter dormant

cereus desert vs tropical

Desert and tropical cacti need different care.

Cereus

Cereus repandus Peruvian apple cactus

Cereus Repandus Peruvian apple cactus is also known as the giant club cactus.

Cereus peruvuianus monstrose

Cereus Peruvuianus Monstrose

Cereus peruvianus monstrose

Cereus Peruvianus typically grows upright. This variety is called monstrose.

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Echinopsis

Echinopsis are small in stature, but they produce large flowers.

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Most Popular Types

Easter Lily cactus (Echinopsis subdenudata), Peanut cactus (E. chamaecereus), Hedgehog (E. coccineus), and Rose Quartz Echinopsis are usually in stock at Growing Hobby.

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Light

Full sun

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Temperatures

Native to the mountains of South America, these cacti can withstand temperatures down to 20°F.

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Watering

Water infrequently, every 3-4 weeks if indoors, or weekly if kept outside.

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Toxicity

Non-toxic, but the spines are not too tasty.

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Growth

Echinopsis typically grow no taller than 6 inches.

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Origin

Mountainous regions of South America

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Propagation

From offsets

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Dormancy

Summer dormant

Echinopsis chamaecereus peanut cactus

Peanut cactus, echinopsis chamaecereus spreads quickly.

peanut cactus – Echinopsis chamacereus

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