Woolly cactus Espostoa lanata

Credit: Björn S

Group of woolly cactus Espostoa lanata

Credit: Leonora (Ellie) Enking

Potted Woolly Cone Cactus Espostoa lanata

Credit: Alejandro Enrique Mejia Fuentes

Hairy colonial cactus Esposota lanata

Credit: Gsarwa

Woolly candle cactus Espostoa lanata

Credit: Citfev Unalm

Espostoa lanata, the woolly cactus

Plants in the Cactaceae family compete in imagination to survive in inhospitable deserts. In Peru and Ecuador, Espostoa lanata covers its thorns with a white down to protect it from the sun and frost and retain moisture.

How to recognize the woolly cactus (Espostoa lanata)?

Espostoa lanata is an upright columnar cactus. In the wild, it reaches heights of over seven meters. Grown in pots or in our latitudes, it reaches a height of three meters.

Its green stem consists of 18 to 25 ribs and measures up to 20 centimetres in diameter. After a few years, Espostoa lanata branches out. Branches, similar to the main stem, appear at the base.

White hairs cover the stem and branches. Yellow, prickly prickles hide beneath the down.

Espostoa lanata flowers in summer. The tubular white, pink or purple flowers bloom at night, at the top or side of the cactus. Highly melliferous, they attract bees and other pollinating insects.

The flowers then produce red berries, filled with seeds.

Espostoa lanata bears a striking resemblance to the Old man's head cactus (Cephalocereus senilis). However, a few details help to differentiate them. The adult woolly cactus is smaller and more branched than the old man's cactus. What's more, its hairs are short and stuck to the ribs, whereas those of Cephalocereus senilis are longer and cascade down.

Espostoa lanata is not toxic. But its thorns can hurt. Wear gloves when repotting and keep your plant away from young children and pets.

Our maintenance 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

Water your Woolly cactus when the soil has dried deeply. Use water at room temperature to avoid damaging the roots. If you can, use rainwater or non-calcareous water.

Never leave water standing in the saucer or planter, as this will rot the roots.

Spray

Your woolly Cactus hates wet foliage. You must not mist the plant.

Repotting

Every spring, repot your Espostoa lanata to give it more space.

In a pierced pot, pour a layer of well-draining substrate. You can use commercially available potting soil for cacti and succulents, or make your own growing medium by mixing ordinary potting soil and sand.

Plant your Woolly cactus in the center and add soil. Be careful not to bury the leaves, and leave a watering trough.

Water generously to encourage rooting and expel air bubbles.

Fertilization

To promote the growth of your Espostoa lanata, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.

Apply fertilizer for succulents to accelerate growth.

Plantation

When the risk of frost has passed, it's time to plant.

Your Woolly cactus 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 Woolly cactus and fill in with garden soil or substrate. Water to remove air bubbles and encourage rooting.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

After a few years, your Woolly cactus produces shoots. You can divide them to multiply the plant.

Once the plant has been dug up, separate one of the shoots, with its roots. Beware of thorns! Remember to wear gloves when handling your Woolly cactus.

Pour a well-draining substrate into a perforated pot. Potting soil for cacti and succulents, for example.

Plant your Woolly cactus in the center and tamp it down.

Diseases / Threats

Aphids

Mealybug, accompanied by ants for its honeydew.

Mealybugs

Information

Family	Cactaceae - Cactaceae
Type	Espostoa - Espostoa
Species	Espostoa lanata - Espostoa lanata
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposure	Sun
Substrat	Calcareous earth
Planting methods	Open ground In pots In tubs
Category	Succulent
Tag	Beginner
Origin	South America
Hardiness (USDA)	10a
Leaf color
Flower colors
Fruit color