Peruvian Old Man Cactus
4.9 out of 5 (8 experiences)
Survivor
Fast grower
Also known as
Cotton ball cactus and snowball cactus
Taxonomy
Espostoa lanata
Espostoa
Cactaceae
Caryophyllales
How to care for Peruvian Old Man Cactus
How often to water your Peruvian Old Man Cactus
every 12
Peruvian Old Man Cactus needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
12
Finding light for Peruvian Old Man Cactus in your home
a window
Peruvian Old Man Cactus love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Peruvian Old Man Cactus does not tolerate low-light 🚫.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Peruvian Old Man Cactus in your home 🏡.
How to fertilize Peruvian Old Man Cactus
Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Peruvian Old Man Cactus after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
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Is it okay to leave outside during rain? #Espostoa
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Succulent Spotlight: Grandpa Last week, I gave a shout-out to my Peruvian Old Lady cactus (Espostoa melanostele). This week, I want to show off her boyfriend, the Peruvian Old Man Cactus (Espostoa lanata). Upon discovering an opposite half to the first, I immediately purchased and wanted to complete the set. He looks like a baseball bat got it on with one of those poisonous fuzzy caterpillars, if I am being honest 😂. Upon arrival, I noticed that Grandpa was way shorter than Cousin It, and I thought he would remain her small king forever, but he has quickly caught up to her and will soon be taller. As it turns out, these guys are supposed to be tall and lanky, while the other is short and fat. And yes, another old man cactus also goes with the well-known old lady cactus called Cephalocereus senilis (and yes I will total be getting one if I get the common Old Lady Catus because I can't let her be lonely 😤). Funny thing is, if you look at all 4 of them together, it seems like the Peruvian Old Man Cactus should be paired with the typical Old Lady Cactus. In contrast, the typical Old Man Cactus should be paired with the Peruvian Old Lady Cactus based on the hairy and fuzzy vibes they give off. However, I guess even nature believes in the idea of opposite attracting. #HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #SucculentSquad #SucculentLove #Succulents #CactusClique #WhatTheSuccWednesday #PeruvianOldManCactus
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Succulent Spotlight: Cousin it It's my Peruvian Old Lady cactus (Espostoa melanostele). Another rare lowes find and my gateway cactus into my obsession with fuzzy and hairy succulents, didn't even know these types of cacti existed until I saw her, and she isn't even the most well-known, apparently that title goes to Mammillaria hahniana (might purchase one to complete the set; the flower crown look is to die for 😌☺️). However, the Peruvian Old Lady Cactus seems to have more of a “crazy old lady” than “sweet old lady” vibe going for it, and that I like; honestly, the hairier/fuzzier the succulent, the better in my eyes 🥰. #WhatTheSuccWednesday #HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #SucculentLove #SucculentSquad #Succulents #CactusClique #Cactus #Cacti #PeruvianOldLady
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What is on my cactus?  It was like this when I purchased it, and I thought it was odd, it almost looks like webs but no sign of life on it. #SucculentLove #WeirdPlants #HappyPlants #WhatPlantIsThis #PlantMoms
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Happy #WhatTheSuccWednesday everyone 🎀🎀🎀 ME: *Just bought a Peruvian Old Lady Cactus* ME: 👀 Also ME: don't do it ME: 👀👀 Also ME: Seriously, don't! ME: 👀👀👀 Also ME: NOO— ME: ⬇️
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Arborescent Prickly Pear Hi everyone! I kind of forgot about my cactus and it was all completely white. I gave it a bunch of water and the bottom seems to be regaining some colour. Do we think this id salvageable 😅 [pic was taken before i repotted it into succulent soil and bigger pot aha]
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Any idea what species this is?
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Just potted my Peruvian Old Lady 🌵 (I found the pot at a local thrift store and thought it was perfect!!)
Care Summary for Peruvian Old Man Cactus
Peruvian Old Man Cactus
Greg recommends:
Water
0.5 cups every 12 days
Placement
< 1ft from a window
Nutrients
Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
What other plant parents say
Survivor 7
Fast grower 3
Large, lush leaves 1
09/06/2021
One of the most unique cactuses to ever own is an old man cactus. Bought my guy, Ye Olde Man, from an Etsy shop but it got lost in the mail system. Finally got it after two months of waiting and he was still alive—and has grown so much since!
Survivor
Fast grower
05/19/2021
It doesn’t hurt to get pricked by him
Survivor
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