With stems that twist around each other in a roundish shape, the Mammillaria Elongata ‘Cristata’ cactus looks like a human brain and a clump of worms. Aptly called the “brain cactus,” the succulent is native to central Mexico, according to Succulent City.
Moreover, how do you care for a succulent brain?
As a succulent from arid regions, brain cactus are most sensitive to moisture. They need to be kept in a dry place with little humidity. Excess humidity can do as much damage to the plant as too much water.
Also question is, how often do you water a brain cactus?
Water. To prevent root rot, it’s best to allow the soil to dry out almost completely in between waterings of your brain cactus. The plant has good drought tolerance. In the spring and summer, watering roughly every two weeks should suffice.
What is the brain cactus?
The Brain Cactus, also known as the Mammillaria Elongata ‘Cristata’ cactus, is native to central Mexico. It’s a rare form of the Mammillaria Elongata cactus and has a unique, crested shape. Its growth pattern kind of looks like worms or brains, which is how it got the nickname Brain Cactus.
How long does brain cactus take to grow?
You may use a cactus soil mix, or a mixture of sand, potting mix, pumice or perlite. Add in a bit of organic matter to ensure the plant gets sufficient minerals. Transplanting should be done after two to three years.
Why is my brain cactus shrinking?
Few of the main reasons why your cactus is shrinking are under watering, aging, rotting, too much light, overwatering during winter. You will need to look for multiple signs to determine the cause of shirking. Shrinking of a cactus is not normal, and should not happen in a healthy cactus.
Why is my brain cactus yellow?
Overwatering. Watering your cactus too often can be a problem. If you keep the soil too wet you can see a yellow shade developing on your succulent. This is a sign of stress, and the plant can’t live in such moist conditions.
