Oreocereus celsianus

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Synonyms

Oreocereus celsianus
Borzicactus celsianus

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Cactus Succulent

Clump-forming perennial cactus, eventually to 3m tall, with upright stems branching from the base, each with warty ribs. Grey-woolly areoles have white hairs and yellow to reddish-brown spines and single, pale purplish-pink flowers to 9cm long, brownish-red outside, are borne in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
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)
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
A genus of cacti native to the high Andes and covered in a woolly, white coating and long brown spines. They produce trumpet-shaped red flowers in the spring
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Chile

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in cactus compost in a well-lit position; water regularly from spring to summer to keep the compost just moist, and apply a liquid fertiliser monthly. Keep dry at other times. For more information see houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 21°C in spring or summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free