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Variegated Blue Flame

Also known as

Variegated Myrtillocactus, Variegated Blue Candle and Variegated Blue Myrtle cactus

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Myrtillocactus geometrizans f. variegatus

Genus

Myrtillocactus

Family

Cactaceae

Order

Caryophyllales

How to care for Variegated Blue Flame

💦 Water

How often to water your Variegated Blue Flame

Variegated Blue Flame 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 Variegated Blue Flame in your home

Variegated Blue Flame love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

Variegated Blue Flame does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Variegated Blue Flame in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Variegated Blue Flame

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Variegated Blue Flame: 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 Variegated Blue Flame after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #VariegatedBlueFlame

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Variegated Blue Flame 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.

Variegated Blue Flame Water Frequency →

Variegated Blue Flame Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Variegated Blue Flame 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 🏡.

Variegated Blue Flame Light Requirements →

Variegated Blue Flame Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Variegated Blue Flame 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

Variegated Blue Flame 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.

Variegated Blue Flame Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Variegated Blue Flame 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 Variegated Blue Flame →

When and How to Successfully Repot Variegated Blue Flame →

💩 Fertilizer

Variegated Blue Flame 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 Variegated Blue Flame →

🌎 Native Region

Variegated Blue Flame is native to Central America.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Variegated Blue Flame can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Variegated Blue Flame Temperature Tolerance →

🧐 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 Variegated Blue Flame. 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!