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Cephalocereus polylophus

4.6 out of 5 (5 experiences)

Survivor

Pest magnet

Also known as

Neobuxbaumia polylopha

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Cephalocereus polylophus

Genus

Cephalocereus

Family

Cactaceae

Order

Caryophyllales

How to care for Cephalocereus polylophus

💦 Water

How often to water your Cephalocereus polylophus

Cephalocereus polylophus needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Cephalocereus polylophus in your home

Cephalocereus polylophus love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Cephalocereus polylophus does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Cephalocereus polylophus in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Cephalocereus polylophus

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Cephalocereus polylophus: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Cephalocereus polylophus after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Cephalocereus

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Cephalocereus polylophus thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Cephalocereus polylophus Water Frequency →

Cephalocereus polylophus Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Cephalocereus polylophus requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Cephalocereus polylophus Light Requirements →

Cephalocereus polylophus Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.

💨 Humidity

Cephalocereus polylophus prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

Cephalocereus polylophus Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Cephalocereus polylophus is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Cephalocereus polylophus →

When and How to Successfully Repot Cephalocereus polylophus →

💩 Fertilizer

Cephalocereus polylophus grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

🌎 Native Region

Cephalocereus polylophus is native to Central, South America, and the Caribbean.

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.

Care Summary for Cephalocereus polylophus

Cephalocereus polylophus

Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 12 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say

Survivor 4

Pest magnet 1

Fast grower 1

@@Northern_Wild_And_Planty

1 Plants

540 XP

North Bay, Ontario

01/16/2022

If you don’t over water these guys will last forever.

Pest magnet

Cephalocereus polylophus plant photo by @Northern_Wild_And_Planty named Ralph on Greg, the plant care app.

@Plant parent

12 Plants

337 XP

London, England

06/23/2021

Needs very little attention

Survivor

Cephalocereus polylophus plant photo by Plant parent named Apollo on Greg, the plant care app.

@@HannahS

5 Plants

35 XP

Stowmarket, England

04/29/2021

Super plant! Has taken a few years to start growing properly, but recently it has shot up and is growing steadily from the base of the plant upwards.
It was bought from M&S (a supermarket) and has done surprisingly well since it wasn’t very expensive- it does really well on little water and shade.

Fast grower

Survivor