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Austrocylindropuntia subulata f. monstrosa (Christmas tree cactus)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
4.5m
Max height
Max height
3m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Austrocylindropuntia subulata f. monstrosa
Other names
Christmas tree cactus, Eve's needle , Eve's needle cactus, Cylindropuntia subulata f. monstrosa, Opuntia subulata f. monstrosa, Opuntia subulata f. monstrose, Austrocylindropuntia subulata f. monstrose, Austrocylindropuntia subulata 'Monstrosa', Opuntia exaltata var. monstrose
Genus
Austrocylindropuntia Austrocylindropuntia
Species
A. subulata f. monstrosa - A. subulata f. monstrosa is a tender, tree-like, perennial cactus with thick, fleshy, cylindrical, unsegmented, mid- to dark green stems bearing fleshy, semi-cylindrical, pointed, evergreen leaves turning red to pink in cold temperatures. Cup-shaped, red flowers in spring and summer are followed by oblong, spineless, red fruit.
Austrocylindropuntia subulata f. monstrosa is: Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming
Toxicity
Plant has spines that cause severe irritation to the skin & are difficult to remove. Handle plants with folded newspaper or with thick gloves.
Flower
Red in Spring; Red in Summer
Foliage
Flushed red in Winter; Green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Mealybugs , Scale insects Mealybugs , Scale insects
Diseases
Generally disease-free
General care
Propagation
Pre-soak seeds. Sow at 21C (71F) in spring.
Propagation methods
Seed, Stem segments
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Where to grow
Austrocylindropuntia subulata f. monstrosa (Christmas tree cactus) will reach a height of 4.5m and a spread of 3m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Conservatory, Containers, Drought Tolerant, Gravel, Indoor, Rock
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in cactus compost in full light or bright filtered light. In growth, water freely & feed 3 or 4 times. Keep dry in winter. In frost-free areas, grow in humus-rich, moderately fertile, sharply drained, gritty soil in sun.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Austrocylindropuntia subulata f. monstrosa
Other names
Christmas tree cactus, Eve's needle , Eve's needle cactus, Cylindropuntia subulata f. monstrosa, Opuntia subulata f. monstrosa, Opuntia subulata f. monstrose, Austrocylindropuntia subulata f. monstrose, Austrocylindropuntia subulata 'Monstrosa', Opuntia exaltata var. monstrose
Genus
Austrocylindropuntia Austrocylindropuntia
Species
A. subulata f. monstrosa - A. subulata f. monstrosa is a tender, tree-like, perennial cactus with thick, fleshy, cylindrical, unsegmented, mid- to dark green stems bearing fleshy, semi-cylindrical, pointed, evergreen leaves turning red to pink in cold temperatures. Cup-shaped, red flowers in spring and summer are followed by oblong, spineless, red fruit.
Native to
Argentina, Bolivia
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming
Toxicity
Plant has spines that cause severe irritation to the skin & are difficult to remove. Handle plants with folded newspaper or with thick gloves.
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Colour
Flower
Red in Spring; Red in Summer
Foliage
Flushed red in Winter; Green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Diseases
Generally disease-free
General care
Propagation
Pre-soak seeds. Sow at 21C (71F) in spring.
Propagation methods
Seed, Stem segments
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Austrocylindropuntia subulata f. monstrosa (Christmas tree cactus) will reach a height of 4.5m and a spread of 3m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Conservatory, Containers, Drought Tolerant, Gravel, Indoor, Rock
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in cactus compost in full light or bright filtered light. In growth, water freely & feed 3 or 4 times. Keep dry in winter. In frost-free areas, grow in humus-rich, moderately fertile, sharply drained, gritty soil in sun.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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