Mandacaru cactus
Cereus jamacaru · Family Cactaceae
Also known as: cactus, cereus, column cactus
- Light
- Full sun
- Watering
- Every 20 days
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Pet-safe
- Yes
Care
Where to put it
Balcony or window with strong sun.
Light
As much direct sun as possible.
Watering
Very little water. Water even less in winter.
About the plant
A columnar cactus that symbolises the Brazilian backlands, with blue-green stems and long spines. In the wild it can exceed 5 metres, but in a pot it grows slowly and stays much smaller. Its large white flowers open at night and are short-lived.
Origin
Native to the Caatinga of north-east Brazil, where it grows in stony soil under intense sun.
What it likes
- Full sun all day
- Very sandy compost
- Rare, well-spaced watering
What it dislikes
- Too much water
- Shady spots
- Constant moisture in the pot
Did you know?
In the backlands, the flowering of the mandacaru cactus is traditionally seen as a sign that rain is coming.
