Cereus validus

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<em>Cereus</em> <em>validus</em> RHS

Synonyms

Cereus forbesii

Cactus Succulent
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A tall, columnar cactus ultimately reaching 4m, with deeply ribbed, dull bluish-green to grey-green stems, set with clusters of long spines. Large, red and white, cup-shaped flowers appear in early autumn, opening at night

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline 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)
H1C

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
Potentially harmful
Handle with care due to prickly spines. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus
A genus of around 33 species of large, columnar cacti, native to South America with ribbed and spiny stems. Large, funnel-shaped flowers bloom at night, mainly white but sometimes appearing in pink, purple, yellow, green and (rarely) cream
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a standard cactus compost, in full light. Water freely when in growth and keep almost dry at other times. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed in early spring or root cuttings of young branches in late spring or early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealy bugs and scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free