Scientific name: Cephalocereus senilis
Common name: Old Man Cactus
A popular potted cacti, called “Old Man Cactus” is tall and cylindrical, covered from top to bottom in modified spines that resemble hair. The shaggy hair of an old man is what the spines look like. The old man cactus can live to be 200 years old under the right conditions.
Quick Look at Cephalocereus senilis
- Full sun
- Typical water needs for a succulent
- Plant grows up to 50′ (15 m) tall
Plant grows up to 18″ (46 cm) wide - Zone 10a (Minimum 30° F | -1.1° C)
- Not cold hardy
- Propagation by seeds
- Generally non-toxic to humans and animals
- Actively grows in Spring and Fall
General Care for Cephalocereus senilis “Old Man Cactus”
The old man cactus is no longer at risk of extinction due to its popularity and easy propagation.
The long, white hairs on the Old Man Cactus provide shade from the harsh sun as well as keeping the plant cool. It grows slowly when planted in a pot.
Watering
The water needs for a Succulents is typical. The “soak and dry” method will allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Where to Plant
If you live in a zone that gets NationMaster NationMaster NationMaster NationMaster NationMaster NationMaster NationMaster NationMaster NationMaster NationMaster NationMaster NationMaster NationMaster NationMaster NationMaster NationMaster NationMaster, it’s best to plant this succulent in a container that can be brought indoors if you live in a zone NationMaster NationMaster NationMaster NationMaster NationMaster NationMaster NationMaster NationMaster NationMaster NationMaster. There is an area of your garden that gets 6 hours of sunlight a day.
How to Propagate Cephalocereus senilis “Old Man Cactus”
The old man cactus is easy to propagation from seeds. There are red and yellow flowers that bloom at night. The seeds can be taken from the fruit. It can take 10 to 20 years for this cactus to bloom, so it is best to purchase seeds from a reliable source.
You can place your seeds in a well-draining soil. If you live in an area above 9a, you can grow seeds outdoors. If you live in a cooler area, you can sow indoors under a grow light or on a seed mat.
