Copiapoa cinerea

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<em>Copiapoa</em> <em>cinerea</em> visionspictures.com
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Cactus Succulent

A slow-growing, clump-forming globe-shaped perennial cactus, which can reach a height of 1.2m, with green to chalky-white, waxy stems, woolly at the tops, contrasted with black spines. Varieties are variable, with some having longer spines and others none at all. Funnel-shaped yellow flowers are generally only produced in greenhouse conditions

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline 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)
H2
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
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
Handle with care due to prickly spines
Genus
Copiapoa are slow-growing cacti with solitary or clustered, ribbed stems and funnel-shaped yellow flowers in summer
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
N Chile

How to Grow

Cultivation

In milder areas, may be grown outdoors in gritty, poor soil in full sun. Protect from excess winter wet. In colder areas, grow under glass in a mix of 3 parts standard cactus compost and one part perlite. This is a desert plant, native to one of the driest regions of the world; water moderately from spring to early autumn and keep dry in winter. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for more details

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 19-24°C (66-75°F) in early spring, or by division, removing offsets in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs when grown under glass

Diseases

Generally disease-free