Espostoa lanata, the woolly cactus
Espostoa lanata
- Exposure
- Sun
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 10a (-1.1°C ≤ T° < 1.7°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Cactaceae
- Genus
- Espostoa
- Species
- Espostoa lanata
Other names:Cleistocactus lanatus, Oreocereus, Cereus lanatus
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 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
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.
Misting
Your Espostoa lanata hates wet foliage. Don't mist the plant.
Repotting
Every year in the spring, repot your Espostoa lanata 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 Woolly cactus 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 Espostoa lanata, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.
Apply fertilizer for succulents to accelerate growth.
Planting
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.
Taking cuttings
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.
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 Espostoa lanata and tamp it down.
The substrate is already damp and woolly Cactus dislikes excess water. Wait at least a week before watering.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposure
- Sun
- Substrate
- Calcareous earth
- Planting methods
- Open groundIn potsIn tubs
- Category
- Succulent
- Tag
- Beginner
- Origin
- South America
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 10a (-1.1°C ≤ T° < 1.7°C)
- Leaf colors
- Light greenWhite
- Flower colors
- WhiteRosePurple
- Fruit color
- Red
Discover plants from the same family
Espostoa melanostele
Espostoa melanostele subsp. melanostele
Espostoa nana
Espostoa melanostele subsp. nana
Christmas cactus
Schlumbergera truncata
Prickly pear
Opuntia ficus-indica
Find out more
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
