Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Oreocereus trollii (Old man of the Andes)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.6m
Max height
Max height
0.6m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Oreocereus trollii
Other names
Old man of the Andes, Old man of the mountains, Borzicactus trollii, Oreocereus irigoyenii, Oreocereus bruennowii, Cereus trollii, Oreocereus crassiniveus, Oreocereus celsianus var. bruennowii
Genus
Oreocereus Oreocereus
Species
O. trollii - O. trollii is a slow-growing, clump-forming, perennial cactus with columnar, spiny, ribbed, dark grey-green stems densely covered with white-woolly hairs. Tubular, reddish-purple flowers bloom during the day in summer.
Oreocereus trollii is: Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Upright
Toxicity
Plant has spines; use extreme caution when handling.
Flower
Reddish-purple in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Mealybugs , Scale insects Mealybugs , Scale insects
Diseases
Generally disease-free
General care
Propagation methods
Seed, Root cuttings
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Oreocereus trollii (Old man of the Andes) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.6m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Conservatory, Containers, Drought Tolerant, Gravel, Indoor, Rock
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in a mix of four parts cactus compost and one part limestone chippings in full light. Water freely in growth and feed a balanced fertiliser monthly. Keep dry in winter. Outdoors grow in moderately fertile, slightly alkaline soil in full sun. Avoid wet winter conditions. Tolerates temperatures down to 10C (50F).
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.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Oreocereus trollii
Other names
Old man of the Andes, Old man of the mountains, Borzicactus trollii, Oreocereus irigoyenii, Oreocereus bruennowii, Cereus trollii, Oreocereus crassiniveus, Oreocereus celsianus var. bruennowii
Genus
Oreocereus Oreocereus
Species
O. trollii - O. trollii is a slow-growing, clump-forming, perennial cactus with columnar, spiny, ribbed, dark grey-green stems densely covered with white-woolly hairs. Tubular, reddish-purple flowers bloom during the day in summer.
Native to
South America
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Upright
Toxicity
Plant has spines; use extreme caution when handling.
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
Reddish-purple in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Diseases
Generally disease-free
General care
Propagation methods
Seed, Root cuttings
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Oreocereus trollii (Old man of the Andes) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.6m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Conservatory, Containers, Drought Tolerant, Gravel, Indoor, Rock
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in a mix of four parts cactus compost and one part limestone chippings in full light. Water freely in growth and feed a balanced fertiliser monthly. Keep dry in winter. Outdoors grow in moderately fertile, slightly alkaline soil in full sun. Avoid wet winter conditions. Tolerates temperatures down to 10C (50F).
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.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7
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: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login