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The ultimate plant care guide for the Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus)

Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus)

Discover the secrets to taking care of the Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) with this ultimate plant care guide! I'll provide you with all of the information and tips you need to make sure your cactus is healthy, happy, and thriving.

To give you the best chance to take care of this plant, I've broken down the caring process into a few different steps. These steps give you the most in-depth information to teach you everything you need to know about caring for your plant.

Summary of Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) care

Find out what the Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) prefers when it comes to its plant care. These are the most important parts of taking care of the Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus)!

Watering your Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus)

The Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) likes to grow in a dry environment and should only be watered when the soil is completely dry.

Sunlight for your Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus)

The Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) loves a spot in the full sun, a spot with direct sunlight. It thrives with the bright light.

Fertilizing your Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus)

The Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) should be fertilizing once at the beginning of spring and once at the beginning of the summer for optimal growth.

Soil for your Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus)

The Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) prefers a dry growing environment, so you should use well-draining soil to keep your Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) happy!

Temperature for the Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus)

The Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) prefers a spot that consistently stays between 15 - 28°C (59 - 82°F).

Propagating the Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus)

To propagate the Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus), you can take cuttings from the parent plant. Often, you cut part of the stem of the Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) and plant that in moist soil.

Repotting the Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus)

You should repot your Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) once every 2 year(s). This helps your Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) to stay healthy for many years.

Difficulty of Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) plant care

The Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) is easy to take care of and great for beginners.

Photos to help identify Cephalocereus senilis

Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) Taken Mar 25, 2022 by Sara Ginsburg (cc-by-sa)
Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) Taken Aug 2, 2020 by Malaquias miguel (cc-by-sa)
Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) Taken May 15, 2021 by Rocio ALVAREZ BELTRAN (cc-by-sa)
Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) Taken Jul 2, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)
Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) Taken Mar 20, 2022 by Rosa reyes (cc-by-sa)
Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) Taken Sep 8, 2019 by Manuel Hernández (cc-by-sa)
Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) Taken Aug 4, 2020 by Nava Nela (cc-by-sa)
Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) Taken Dec 24, 2021 by jared marin (cc-by-sa)
Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) Taken Feb 1, 2022 by Cisneros Álvarez (cc-by-sa)
Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) Taken Jun 19, 2021 by Tapia Martinez Cesar (cc-by-sa)
Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) Taken Sep 8, 2019 by Manuel Hernández (cc-by-sa)
Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) Taken Mar 25, 2022 by Sara Ginsburg (cc-by-sa)

The Cephalocereus senilis, also known as the Old Man Cactus, is a unique and amazing plant that can brighten up any home! It's native to Mexico and features long white hairs that look like an old man's beard. With proper care and attention, this beautiful cactus can thrive in your home for many years! So if you're looking for an easy-to-care-for houseplant that will bring beauty into your life - get ready to learn how to take care of the Old Man Cactus!

Scientific classification of Cephalocereus senilis

Plants go by many names, but it can become confusing very quickly if you're talking about different plants with the same nickname. That's why I'm including the scientific name of the plant, so we're all on the same page!

Classification Name
Family Cactaceae
Genus Cephalocereus
Species Cephalocereus senilis

Common nicknames for Cephalocereus senilis

If you don't recognize the scientific name of Cephalocereus senilis, you might recognize one of these more common names instead!

  • Bunny cactus
  • Old man of Mexico
  • Old-man cactus
  • White Persian-cat cactus
  • Old Man Cactus
  • Melocactus bradypus
  • Cereus senilis
  • Echinocactus staplesiae
  • Cactus bradypus
  • Cephalocereus senilis f. fasciatus
  • Euporteria senilis
  • Cereus bradypus
  • Cephalocereus senilis f. cristatus
  • Cephalophorus senilis
  • Pilocereus senilis

Frequently asked questions

How should you water the Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus)?
The Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) likes to grow in a dry environment and should only be watered when the soil is completely dry.
How much sunlight does the Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) need?
The Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) loves a spot in the full sun, a spot with direct sunlight. It thrives with the bright light.
How much fertilizer does the Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) need?
The Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) should be fertilizing once at the beginning of spring and once at the beginning of the summer for optimal growth.
What is the best soil for the Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus)?
The Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) prefers a dry growing environment, so you should use well-draining soil to keep your Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) happy!
What is the ideal temperature for the Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus)?
The Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) prefers a spot that consistently stays between 15 - 28°C (59 - 82°F).
How do you propagate the Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus)?
To propagate the Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus), you can take cuttings from the parent plant. Often, you cut part of the stem of the Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) and plant that in moist soil.
How often should you repot the Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus)?
You should repot your Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) once every 2 year(s). This helps your Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) to stay healthy for many years.
Is the Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) easy to take care of?
The Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) is easy to take care of and great for beginners.

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