Picture by Fine Art America
Basic Info
Cephalocereus senilis ‘Old Man Cactus’ is a popular cactus type without branches. As the plant matures you can expect it to reach up to 15 m (50″) tall and about 46 cm (18″) in diameter. The plant is best known for the green stem covered by spines and fine white hairs.
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Genus: Cephalocereus
Care and Propagation Information
Watering
Cephalocereus senilis ‘Old Man Cactus’ can be quite beautiful when it is well-taken care off. This succulent type needs typical water as other types. The watering method is very important to keep your cactus healthy. It should not sit on the water, and an excess amount of water should be avoided. The best way of watering is soak and dry method. Yet, the cactus should be controlled to avoid overwatering.
General Care for Cephalocereus senilis ‘Old Man Cactus’
This succulent type can grow easily with minimum water requirements. When it is planted in a pot, it will grow slowly. It can grow as a houseplant. In this case, the plant will stay small. It needs a dry and hot climate with lots of sunlight.
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Quick Facts:
- Flowers are red
- Can be grown outdoor
- Grows 15 m (50″)) tall
- Grows up to 46 cm (18″) wide
- Can die easily if overwatered see: How to Water Succulent Plants
- Does not handle cold well
- Best propagated by seeds
- Not harmful to animals and people
- Grows best during Spring and Fall
Where to Plant
Cephalocereus senilis needs strong light. When planting this cactus in a garden, make sure it gets sunlight. Full to partial sun is the best for its growth. If it is an indoor plant, windowsill will be the best location to keep your succulent. However, planting outdoor is recommended.
This Old Man Cactus prefers a warm climate and has a long lifetime which is around 200 years. It can survive at around 30 °F (-1.1 °C). If you live in a cold area, it is better to plant this cactus in an indoor environment. You can use fertilizer one or two times during the summer.
How to Propagate Cephalocereus senilis ‘Old Man Cactus’
Unlike the most succulent types, Old Man Cactus can be propagated by seeds. You can sow the seeds during May. It is a slow grower, so be patient! You can get the seeds from its fruits but it will take years for this cactus to bloom! So, it’s better to purchase seeds or the plant directly from a nursery, or online: Buy here the seeds
Like all the other succulent types, a well-drained soil mixture is essential. If you want to know about well-drained soil mixtures, check How to Prepare Well-drained Soil for Succulent Plants.
