Everything about the Spiral Cactus plant

Step into the captivating world of the spiral cactus, scientifically known as Cereus forbesii ‘spiralis,’ a botanical treasure from Peru. While growing in popularity, the spiral cactus remains more elusive than its common counterparts. Once mature, this striking cactus can soar to heights of 6 to 13 feet, boasting a diameter of 4 to 5 inches, and is one of the fastest-growing cactus varieties, rewarding caretakers with swift growth.

With its alluring blueish-green hue and velvety touch, this cactus leaves an indelible impression. Its prolific blooming capabilities grace us with awe-inspiring flowers that steal the spotlight. If fortune smiles upon you, these blooms offer an opportunity for pollination, culminating in the development of large, non-poisonous purple fruits. While they might not be your pets’ best friend with their sharp spines, you can be happy to read that it is non-toxic.

Care

Given the rarity of this plant, locating a Spiral Cactus can be challenging and expensive, so no questions that it’s crucial to provide proper care for its longevity. You probably don’t want to buy another one as a replacement. Let’s see how you can keep this beautiful cactus alive and happy at home!

• Water: As you could probably guess, this plant is not exactly a thirsty one, but watering them once every two weeks (in the hotter season) is definitely needed. If you’ve potted it in a 5.0″ pot, it requires about one cup of water every 12-14 days when not exposed to direct sunlight. You can decrease the frequency in fall and winter. It is also a good idea to remove the plant from its tray during watering, because this way the excess water can be drained.
• Temperature: Protect it from temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit and rapid temperature fluctuations at all costs!
• Soil: The best way to go is to choose a well-draining potting soil that is specifically for cacti plants. Repot every other year or when the plant outgrows its pot, using a heavy pot to ensure stability for taller growth.
• Light: Spiral cactus plants love full sun, so giving them at least 4 hours of it a day is a must. However, be careful not to torch them for too long, because younger plants are more sensitive than established ones.

Our extra tips for Spiral Cactus plants:

• Even though this plant is not poisonous, you should definitely handle it with care due to its sharp spines. Keep it away from your kids & pets too!
• Young cacti can’t handle too much direct sun, thus you should monitor them for pale spots, and relocate them to a shadier spot if necessary.
• If you are not sure about how much water you should give to your Spiral Cactus, maybe invest in a moisture meter for precise watering measurements. They are not that expensive and can save you a lot of trouble.

Propagation

If you want to expand your collection, you can propagate these plants from stem cuttings with a pretty high success rate. Just make sure to use a clean and sharp blade when you cut the stem. After taking the cutting, put it in a cactus potting mix and see how it develops.

Common Pests

• Aphids
• Scales
• Mealybugs

Frequently Asked Questions