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4.8 out of 5 (33 experiences)


Also known as
Mountain Ball Cactus
Taxonomy
Pediocactus simpsonii
Pediocactus
Cactaceae
Caryophyllales

How to care for Simpson Hedgehog Cactus

How often to water your Simpson Hedgehog Cactus

every 12
Simpson Hedgehog 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

Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for Simpson Hedgehog Cactus in your home

a window
Simpson Hedgehog Cactus love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Simpson Hedgehog Cactus does not tolerate low-light 🚫.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Simpson Hedgehog Cactus in your home 🏡.

How to fertilize Simpson Hedgehog 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 Simpson Hedgehog Cactus after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Simpson Hedgehog 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!
Water Needs
Simpson Hedgehog 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.
Sunlight Needs
Simpson Hedgehog 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 🏡.
Toxicity
Simpson Hedgehog Cactus 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.
Humidity
Simpson Hedgehog 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.
Soil
Simpson Hedgehog 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!
Fertilizer
Simpson Hedgehog 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!
Native Region
Simpson Hedgehog Cactus is native to North America.
Flowers
Yes, you may see your Simpson Hedgehog Cactus bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.
Growth Pattern
Simpson Hedgehog Cactus grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Simpson Hedgehog Cactus can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 4a-7b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Propagation
Simpson Hedgehog Cactus can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:
- Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
- To get the cutting to root, you can either:
- Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
- Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.
Common Issues
Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Simpson Hedgehog 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!
Care Summary for Simpson Hedgehog Cactus
Simpson Hedgehog Cactus
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 12 days

< 1ft from a window

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










This guy is a beast. If you forget to water a plant, A CACTUS is the answer. But if you’re the person who over waters a plant make sure you have drainage with a cactus or else it will die. Only thing i worry about is pets going to sniff it and pricks their nose. I’m on my toes when my pets are close by to my cactus. But overall not a hard plant to take care of!

