Parodia magnifica

RHS Plant Profile
magnificent ball cactus

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magnificent ball cactus RHS
magnificent ball cactus RHS
magnificent ball cactus RHS

Synonyms

Notocactus magnificus

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Conservatory Greenhouse Cactus Succulent
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A cactus with usually solitary, globose to cylindrical stems to 15cm tall, bearing bristly yellow spines and funnel-shaped sulphur-yellow flowers to 5cm across in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cactaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Parodia are cacti with either solitary or clustered, many-ribbed, globose, spiny stems, with funnel-shaped flowers near the apex
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Brazil, Uruguay

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in a standard cactus compost in full or bright filtered light. From mid-spring to late summer, water moderately and apply a low nitrogen liquid fertiliser every 6-8 weeks. Keep barely moist at other times

Propagation

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

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Vulnerable to mealybugs and, while flowering, aphids

Diseases

Relatively disease resistant