Parodia werneri subsp. werneri

RHS Plant Profile

ball cactus

Other common names

ball cactus

Synonyms

Notocactus crassigibbus, Notocactus uebelmannianus, Parodia werneri subsp. werneri

Cactus Succulent Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

A rounded cactus up to 20cm tall that may, in time, form clumps. The dark green stem has 10-16 ribs bearing thin, curved radial spines. In summer, the crown bears purple or yellow flowers

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Sand, Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0-0.1 metre
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Sand Loam

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: Columnar upright
Genus: Parodia are cacti with either solitary or clustered, many-ribbed, globose, spiny stems, with funnel-shaped flowers near the apex
Name Status: Synonym
Plant Range: S Brazil

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in standard cactus compost in full or bright filtered light. Water moderately from mid-spring to late summer and apply a low nitrogen liquid fertiliser every 6-8 weeks. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in spring or summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs and aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free