Rebutia mentosa

RHS Plant Profile
crown cactus

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Synonyms

Sulcorebutia mentosa

Award of Garden Merit
Cactus Succulent Houseplants Conservatory Greenhouse

Rebutia mentosa is a cactus with solitary, shortly cylindrical stems to 10cm tall, with long yellow-brown central spines, comb-like yellow radial spines and magenta-purple flowers 3.5cm across

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

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
Rebutia can be solitary or clustering cacti, with globose or shortly cylindrical, ribbed or tuberculate stems, and showy funnel-shaped flowers
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Bolivia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in standard cactus compost in full light with low humidity. From spring to summer, water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser 3 or 4 times; keep completely dry at other times

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 21°C (70°F) in early spring, or remove offsets in spring or summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs early in the season

Diseases

Relatively disease resistant