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Branched Pencil Cholla

Also known as

Bush Cholla, Chollita, Chumbera, Pencil Cholla and Tasajo

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Cylindropuntia arbuscula

Genus

Cylindropuntia

Family

Cactaceae

Order

Caryophyllales

How to care for Branched Pencil Cholla

💦 Water

How often to water your Branched Pencil Cholla

Branched Pencil Cholla 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

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Branched Pencil Cholla in your home

Branched Pencil Cholla love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Branched Pencil Cholla does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Branched Pencil Cholla in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Branched Pencil Cholla

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Branched Pencil Cholla: repot after 2X growth

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 Branched Pencil Cholla after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Cylindropuntia

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Branched Pencil Cholla thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Branched Pencil Cholla requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Branched Pencil Cholla is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Branched Pencil Cholla can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 8a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.

😖 Common Issues

Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Branched Pencil Cholla. These plants are very sensitive to wet soil so if you notice your plant becoming squishy or translucent, overwatering is the likely culprit.

Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil. Download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!