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Cactus Succulent

Copiapoa hypogaea

underground copiapoa

A slow growing, perennial cactus forming a cluster of squat round stems, dark green to brown in colour, and 6-7cm across with 12 or more ribs. White woolly areoles produce a small number of white radial spines. Yellow flowers are produced in summer

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Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cm
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Sand
Chalk
Loam
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Brown
Summer Green Brown Yellow
Autumn Green Brown
Winter Green Brown
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Cactaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
Handle with care due to prickly spines. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus

Copiapoa are slow-growing cacti with solitary or clustered, ribbed stems and funnel-shaped yellow flowers in summer

Name status

Correct

Plant range
N Chile

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How to grow

Cultivation

In milder areas, may be grown outdoors in gritty, poor soil in full sun. Protect from excess winter wet. In colder areas, grow under glass in a mix of 3 parts standard cactus compost and one part perlite. This is a desert plant, native to one of the driest regions of the world; water moderately from spring to early autumn and keep dry in winter. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for more details

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 19-24°C (66-75°F) in early spring, or by division, removing offsets in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Houseplants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs when grown under glass

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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