@Chew_becca Allendale Charter Township, MI

1/10

Silver Ball Cactus

4.5 out of 5 (4 experiences)

Survivor

Fast grower

Also known as

Snowball Cactus, Notocactus scopa and parodia scorpa

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Parodia scopa

Genus

Parodia

Family

Cactaceae

Order

Caryophyllales

How to care for Silver Ball Cactus

💦 Water

How often to water your Silver Ball Cactus

Silver Ball 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

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Silver Ball Cactus in your home

Silver Ball Cactus love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

Silver Ball Cactus does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Silver Ball Cactus in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Silver Ball Cactus

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Silver Ball Cactus: 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 Silver Ball Cactus after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #SilverBallCactus

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Silver Ball Cactus is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

Benefits of Growing Silver Ball Cactus →

Common Silver Ball Cactus Problems →

💦 Water Needs

Silver Ball Cactus 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.

Silver Ball Cactus Water Frequency →

Silver Ball Cactus Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Silver Ball Cactus 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 🏡.

Silver Ball Cactus Light Requirements →

Silver Ball Cactus Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Silver Ball Cactus is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

💨 Humidity

Silver Ball Cactus prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

Silver Ball Cactus Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Silver Ball Cactus is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Silver Ball Cactus →

When and How to Successfully Repot Silver Ball Cactus →

💩 Fertilizer

Silver Ball Cactus grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Silver Ball Cactus →

🌎 Native Region

Silver Ball Cactus is native to Northern South America.

🌸 Flowers

Yes, you may see your Silver Ball Cactus bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.

Silver Ball Cactus Flowers →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Silver Ball Cactus is a clumping plant, meaning new growth will emerge from the soil around the parent plant.

How and When to Prune Silver Ball Cactus →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Silver Ball Cactus can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Silver Ball Cactus Temperature Tolerance →

🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Silver Ball Cactus can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

How to Propagate Silver Ball Cactus →

🧐 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 Silver Ball Cactus. 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!