Ladyfinger cactus

Ladyfinger cactus Care

Echinocereus pentalophus

What is the plant

Echinocereus pentalophus, with the common name ladyfinger cactus that has many crowded finger-like stems, is a species of Echinocereus cactus. It is native to North America. Established plants can reach a height of 20 cm and width of 100 cm.

Echinocereus pentalophus belongs to the Pachycereeae Tribe. It is widely cultivated for its flowers, it is among the easiest species to grow, flower and propagate. It is an excellent plant for container growing. Cascading, clustering, great for a hanging display. Stems may possibly become purple and limp in winter but revitalize in early spring. It looks fine in a cold greenhouse and frame or outdoor in a rockery.

If you’ve recognized any mistakes feel free to notify us about it. This would help us to provide only the best-quality information.

Lighting

Full Sun

Hardiness zone

8a - 11

Difficulty

Medium

How to Care for the Plant

Water
The plant needs moderate to copious waterings rom March to October, but do not overwater. Keep dry in winter.
Fertilizer
Feed with a high potassium fertilizer during the growing season.
Sunlight
The plant tolerates extremely bright situations but enjoys filtered sunlight or afternoon shade during the hottest part of the summer, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy spine production.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

Ease your plant care routine with PlantIn's personalized system.

Soil
The cactus likes a very porous standard cactus mix soil. It prefers a low pH compost, avoid substrata rich in limestone.
Temperature
The cactus is moderately resistant to frost if kept on the dry side prior to and during cold weather (hardy to -5°C for short periods). This cactus needs a period of cool rest in winter to produce flowers abundantly. Without this cool winter period these plants normally won't get many buds.
Container
Use any type of pot with enough drainage holes.