Copiapoa cinerea care guide

Pets and children

How often to water Copiapoa cinerea

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)

Every 20 days

Close to a spring-and-fall grower that slows in midsummer: as a guide, water about a week after the soil dries through in spring, and lightly once or twice a month on cool evenings in July and August.

Autumn (Oct–Nov)

Every 14 days

It grows well as it cools; as a guide, water on a sunny morning a few days after the soil has dried through.

Winter (Dec–Feb)

Every month

Keep it nearly dry, lightly wetting the soil surface about once a month on a warm morning, as a guide.

Light and placement for Copiapoa cinerea

To keep its white waxy bloom, give it strong sun and moving air under a rain cover or at a bright window, as a guide, with light shade from midsummer afternoon sun.

Overwintering Copiapoa cinerea

Overwintering guide: 5°C (41°F) or above

Kept dry it generally takes about 5°C; as a guide, bring it to a sunny spot indoors, away from frost, cold rain and heater drafts, as nights approach 5°C.

Fertilizing and repotting Copiapoa cinerea

Fertilizer

It grows very slowly, so feed very little: a little slow-release at repotting, or diluted liquid feed about monthly in spring and fall, and none in summer or winter.

When to repot

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep), Autumn (Oct–Nov)

Common problems with Copiapoa cinerea

• Overwatered in hot, humid weather, the roots rot.
• Rain or overhead watering washes off the white bloom and stains the skin.
• Too little sun makes the top grow narrow and the spines weak.

Tips for growing Copiapoa cinerea

• Pour water gently onto the soil, not over the plant.
• Use a gritty, pumice-rich mix that dries quickly.
• It is slow, so repotting every two or three years is enough.

More cactus care guides

• Crown cactusRebutia
• Easter lily cactusEchinopsis
• Golden barrel cactusKroenleinia grusonii
• Hedgehog cactusEchinocereus
• Mistletoe cactusRhipsalis
• Old man cactusCephalocereus senilis