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Cactus Succulent

Copiapoa hypogaea
  • RHS AGM

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

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 the UK
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

Get involved

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