Astrophytum capricorne
goat's horn cactus
A spherical to ovoid cactus 20-25cm in height and 10cm in diameter, with 7-9 ribs which are light-green with white flecks. Long, twisted spines are yellowish-brown in colour. Yellow flowers 6-10cm are produced in summer
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
0–0.1 metreGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green White | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green White | Yellow | ||
| Autumn | Green White | |||
| Winter | Green White |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Cactaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Genus
Astrophytum are compact perennial cacti with ribbed, spherical or columnar stems bearing woolly, sometimes also shortly spiny areoles, and large, solitary, funnel-shaped flowers in summer, followed by red or green berries
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- NE Mexico
How to grow
Cultivation
Under glass grow in a sharply-draining loam based compost (JI No2) with extra perlite or sharp sand or a proprietary cactus compost, in bright filtered light. Water thoroughly once the compost has become dry in the growing season from spring to early-autumn, but keep dry when dormant. In warmer climates outdoors grow in sharply drained, poor, slightly alkaline soil in full sun
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown at 21°C in early spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Sub-tropical
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to scale insects and mealybugs under glass
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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