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Espostoa lanata (Peruvian old man cactus)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1.5m
Max height
Max height
0.6m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Espostoa lanata
Other names
Peruvian old man cactus, Cotton ball, Cotton ball cactus, Cephalocereus lanatus, Pilocereus lanatus, Cleistocactus lanatus
Genus
Espostoa Espostoa
Species
E. lanata - E. lanata is a tender, tree-like or clump-forming, perennial cactus with columnar, ribbed stems, densely covered in short white, rarely red, yellow, purple, or brown spines and silky, white hairs. Cup-shaped, white or purple flowers bloom in summer.
Espostoa lanata is: Evergreen
Habit
Spiky, Narrowly columnar, Clump-forming
Toxicity
Plant has spines; use extreme caution when handling.
Flower
White, Purple in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Mealybugs Mealybugs
Diseases
Generally disease-free
General care
Propagation
Sow seed at 21C (70F) in spring.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Espostoa lanata (Peruvian old man cactus) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 0.6m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Conservatory, Containers, Drought Tolerant, Gravel, Indoor, Rock
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in cactus compost in full light. Water moderately & feed a low-nitrogen fertiliser monthly in growth. Keep dry in winter. In frost-free areas, grow in poor to moderately fertile, sharply drained soil in sun. Protect from wet conditions.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, 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
Espostoa lanata
Other names
Peruvian old man cactus, Cotton ball, Cotton ball cactus, Cephalocereus lanatus, Pilocereus lanatus, Cleistocactus lanatus
Genus
Espostoa Espostoa
Species
E. lanata - E. lanata is a tender, tree-like or clump-forming, perennial cactus with columnar, ribbed stems, densely covered in short white, rarely red, yellow, purple, or brown spines and silky, white hairs. Cup-shaped, white or purple flowers bloom in summer.
Native to
Peru
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Spiky, Narrowly columnar, Clump-forming
Toxicity
Plant has spines; use extreme caution when handling.
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Colour
Flower
White, Purple in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Diseases
Generally disease-free
General care
Propagation
Sow seed at 21C (70F) in spring.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Espostoa lanata (Peruvian old man cactus) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 0.6m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Conservatory, Containers, Drought Tolerant, Gravel, Indoor, Rock
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in cactus compost in full light. Water moderately & feed a low-nitrogen fertiliser monthly in growth. Keep dry in winter. In frost-free areas, grow in poor to moderately fertile, sharply drained soil in sun. Protect from wet conditions.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, 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 11, 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, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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