Espostoa lanata
Peruvian old man cactus
A columnar cactus with 20- to 30-ribbed stems, densely clothed in a white wool. In its native Peru it may reach 6m tall, but will only attain a fraction of that when grown as a pot plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green White | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green White | |||
| Autumn | Green White | |||
| Winter | Green White |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Cactaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Genus
A genus of 16 species of cacti from southern Ecuador and Peru, grown mainly as houseplants. They have tall, columnar stems covered in fuzzy, soft white hairs which hide circles of sharp spines. Bell or cup-shaped flowers are generally white, rarely red, and bloom at night and the sweet, juicy fruits are edible
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- S. Ecuador, Peru
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in cactus compost in a sunny position. Water moderately during the growing season and keep almost dry in winter. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further information
Propagation
Propagate by sowing seed at 21°C in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Houseplants
- Patio and container plants
- Low Maintenance
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to mealybugs
Diseases
May be susceptible to root and stem rots if overwatered
Get involved
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