Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Conservatory GreenhouseCactus SucculentHouseplants

Matucana aurantiaca
  • RHS AGM

orange matucana

M. aurantiaca is a cactus forming a cluster of squat, globose stems to 15cm tall, the ribs with red-brown central spines to 4.5cm and shorter radials; orange-red funnel-shaped flowers to 9cm long

Synonyms
Matucana calvescens
Borzicactus aurantiacus

Join the RHS

Become an RHS Member today and save 25% on your first year

Join now
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0–0.1 metre
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green Orange Red
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Cactaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Matucana are cacti with solitary or clustered, ribbed, spiny stems that may be globose or cylindrical, and have funnel-shaped flowers in a range of colours

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Peru

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in standard cactus compost in full light with low humidity. Water moderately from mid spring to early autumn, applying a dilute liquid fertiliser monthly. Keep dry at other times

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 19-24°C (66-75°F) in spring or summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

mealybugs may be a problem

Diseases

Relatively disease resistant

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.