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Old Man Cactus in the GardenTags plant encyclopedia

Cephalocereus palmeri

 

Old Man Cactus

Cephalocereus palmeri is a tree-like cactus with blueish green flesh with long, sharp yellow spines and grey woolly hair. Mature height of 25 feet and width of 3 feet. Purple flowers.

Contributed by @sikm777

 
plant Features
  • Old Man Cactus likes full sun

    Full sun

  • Old Man Cactus likes very little water

    Very little water

  • Old Man Cactus is not frost hardy

    Not Frost hardy

  • Old Man Cactus likes light and free draining

    Light and free draining

 
plant information

Common name

Old Man Cactus

Latin name

Cephalocereus palmeri

type

Succulent

family

Cactaceae

ph

5.0 - 6.5 Acid - Neutral

  • Light

    Old Man Cactus likes full sun

    Full sun

  • Frost

    Old Man Cactus is not frost hardy

    Not Frost hardy

  • Soil

    Old Man Cactus likes light and free draining

    Light and free draining

  • Water

    Old Man Cactus likes very little water

    Very little water

Plant & bloom calendar

  •  
    Best time to plant

full grown dimensions

The size of a fully grown Old Man Cactus is 1.00meters x 8.00meters 1.00 M 8.00 M

Cephalocereus palmeri

Cephalocereus palmeri is a tree-like cactus with blueish green flesh with long, sharp yellow spines and grey woolly hair. Mature height of 25 feet and width of 3 feet. Purple flowers.


Planting

From Early Spring TO Early Spring

If growing as a houseplant, either soil based or peat based mixture can be used with addition of one-third portion of coarse sand. These plants can usually be grown in 8cm (3 inch) pots until they are 7-10cm (2.75-4 inch) tall. Examine them each spring, however, to see if the roots fill the pots. If growing outdoors in warm climates, Cephalocereus senilis grows in rocky or loose soil which is a fast-draining soil. When planting this cacti amend this soil with some limestone chips for best results.

 
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Gardeners who are growing this plant