Cereus forbesii, an elegant candle cactus
Cereus forbesii
- Exposure
- Sun
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 11a (4.4°C ≤ T° < 7.2°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Family
- Cactaceae
- Genus
- Cereus
- Species
- Cereus forbesii
Other name:Piptanthocereus forbesii
Cereus forbesii belongs to the Cactaceae family. Native to the arid regions of Argentina and Bolivia, this slender succulent plant produces nocturnal flowers at maturity.
How to recognize Cereus forbesii, the candle cactus?
Cereus forbesii is a columnar, branched cactus that can reach heights of up to seven meters, although it is more commonly seen at two or three meters.
Its bluish-green stems generally measure between five and ten centimetres in diameter. They are composed of four to seven segments, called ribs. On the ridges, small areoles support one- to two-centimetre yellow prickles.
Like most cacti, Cereus forbesii has no leaves, although disocactus anguliger would have us believe otherwise. The stems are responsible for photosynthesis and water management.
The trumpet-shaped flowers are around 15 cm long. The white flowers withbeige sepals have reddish tints on the outside. They appear on Cereus forbesii that are at least four years old. These nocturnal flowers bloom mainly in spring and early summer. They attract pollinators such as bats and moths.
After flowering and pollination, the candle cactus produces fleshy red fruits. Rich in pulp and edible, they contain small black seeds.
Cereus forbesii is not toxic to pets or humans. On the contrary, it is said to have medicinal properties, notably anti-diarrheal.
Our care tips
Your plant needs watering in winter only when the temperature is above 18°C. If it spends the off-season outdoors or in an unheated greenhouse, one watering every two months will be more than enough.
Watering
Check that the substrate is dry to the depth of five centimeters before watering. If your plant is thirsty, water with cold or lukewarm water. It's best to use rainwater to provide nutrients. If you don't have any, use mains water.
Empty any stagnant water from the dish to prevent root rot.
Misting
Your Cereus forbesii hates wet foliage. Don't mist the plant.
Repotting
Every year in the spring, repot your Cereus forbesii to give it more space.
Fill the bottom of a perforated pot with potting soil for cacti and succulents.
Put on a pair of gloves to protect yourself from thorns. Plant your Cereus forbesii in the center and add potting soil. Stop filling the pot a few centimetres from the edge to form a watering basin.
Wait at least a fortnight for your plant to root before watering.
Fertilization
To promote the growth of your Cereus forbesii, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.
Apply a cactus and succulent fertilizer to support growth. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's recommended dosage to avoid damaging the foliage.
Planting
When the risk of frost has passed, it's time to plant.
Your Cereus forbesii fears humidity. Plant it in a place where water doesn't stagnate, at the top of a slope, an embankment or in a rockery, for example.
Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball. You can place pebbles or clay balls at the bottom to improve drainage. Then lay down a layer of substrate. If your soil is light and chalky, you can use garden soil. If your soil is rich and heavy, use potting soil for cacti and succulents.
Plant your Cereus forbesii and fill in with garden soil or substrate. Water to remove air bubbles and encourage rooting.
Taking cuttings
Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
If your Cereus forbesii branches out, you can cut off one of its branches to propagate the plant. You can also remove part of the main stem.
Cut off a portion about ten centimetres long. Use a clean, sharp knife to promote healing. You can pour powdered cinnamon over the cutting (on the mother plant) to prevent rot and disease.
Leave your cutting to dry for at least 48 hours, until a callus forms.
Obtain a pierced pot adapted to the size of your cutting. Fill it with a light, draining substrate, such as a mixture of sand and potting soil for cuttings, or potting soil for cacti and succulents. Plant your Cereus forbesii and tamp it down.
The substrate is already damp and cereus forbesii dislikes excess water. Wait at least a week before watering.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Exposure
- Sun
- Substrate
- Calcareous earth
- Planting methods
- Open groundIn potsIn tubs
- Category
- Indoor
- Tags
- BeginnerCold-sensitiveHard to kill
- Origin
- South America
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 11a (4.4°C ≤ T° < 7.2°C)
- Leaf colors
- Dark greenGlaucous green
- Flower colors
- WhiteRed
- Fruit color
- Red
Discover plants from the same family
Christmas cactus
Schlumbergera truncata
Prickly pear
Opuntia ficus-indica
Rabbit ear cactus
Opuntia microdasys
Erect nopal
Opuntia stricta
Find out more
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
