Pilosocereus leucocephalus

RHS Plant Profile
old man cactus

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old man cactus RHS
old man cactus RHS

Other common names

old man of Mexico, woolly torch

Synonyms

Cephalocereus leucocephalus
Cephalocereus palmeri
Cephalocereus maxonii

Award of Garden Merit
Cactus Succulent

This cactus hails from Central America. Distinctive for the silky growth surrounding its spines, it has earned the nickname, woolly torch. The ribbed trunks may be branched and can reach 6m.Older plants will bear showy pale pink flowers with lemon throats on their crowns. In the wild these are principally bat pollinated

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–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)
H1B
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cactaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Pilosocereus is a genus of vigorous and fast-growing cacti which often become large in size, with some varieties reaching over 4m. Some species are branched in form and night-flowering whilst other are more shrub or tree-like. Many have an attractive blue colour. Flowers are funnel-shaped with greenish or reddish outer segments.
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
E Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala

How to Grow

Cultivation

Requires good light and sharp drainage. Increase watering and feeding in summer months to promote growth. A minimum temperature of 11oC. Could be placed outdoors in a sheltered spot in summer. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by stem cuttings or by seed in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

Pruning is not required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, capsid bug, earwigs, eelworms, mealybugs glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

Over-watering, especially in cooler temperatures will cause rot