The Cactaceae family, which includes the Monkey Tail Cactus and other perennial succulent plants, has its origins mostly in the Americas, both north and south. It has short roots, grows naturally between stones and in cliff crevices, and is categorized as a lithophyte because it relies on atmospheric moisture to survive.
The long, supple stems of the monkey tail cactus, which are covered with soft spines that resemble white hair strands, are what give the plant its name (droopy). The stems resemble the limbs of primates, with the exception of their light green tint. Beginners should find it quite simple to grow monkey tail cacti. To guarantee that your plants flourish, go by following plant care instructions.
Care Tips
Light: Monkey Tail Cacti grow well in settings with lots of direct, bright sunlight. This native to the desert cactus will handle some full sun, however indirect light is preferred.
In the spring and summer growing seasons, water is applied weekly. When your monkey tail cactus enters its dormant season in the fall and winter, it will store water in its stems. When the soil is fully dry during the off-season, lightly water it; however, be careful not to overwater as this can result in root rot.
The optimal soil is a specifically developed cactus soil mix or a well-draining organic soil mix. To assist the soil drain excess water, look for cactus mix at your neighborhood nursery or add perlite to a typical potting mix.
Potting: Because of its shallow root structure, the Monkey Tail Cactus does not require a huge container to grow well. To enable the flowing stems to trail as they extend past the length of the pot, think about repotting it in a hanging basket.
Temperature: As a cactus that thrives in warm climates and the sun, the plant will flourish in temperatures above 15 C (60 F) and as low as -6 C. (20 F).
Humidity: Because the plant is adapted to challenging circumstances, such as draughts, it doesn’t need additional humidity.
Shipping & Handling
- The soil and pot for the monkey tail cactus plants are not sent with them:
- We promise to ship “bare roots,” which takes more time and labor, and to offer our clients exceptional quality and service (see the advantages of shipping bare roots).
- The goods are unrooted cuttings if they are listed as “# Inch Cutting” sizes or variants.
- A plant extremely similar to the one in the photographs will be delivered to you; however, the shape and color may differ.
Where can one find monkey tail cacti?
A variety of cactus plant known as the monkey tail cactus (Cleistocactus colademononis, formerly Hildewintera colademononis) is distinguished by its long, cascading shape and white, hair-like spines. Its common name, soft monkey tail cactus, comes from its hairy exterior, which resembles a monkey’s tail.
Bright red flowers are produced by this cactus in the spring and early summer. Its beginnings can be located in Santa Cruz, Bolivia’s hilly region, where it can be seen growing naturally in rocky soil. It is frequently planted as a houseplant in hanging baskets, which enable its lengthy, drooping stems to grow freely. Every year, each stem has the potential to grow by almost a foot.
How quickly does the monkey-tail cactus expand?
It will therefore appear best in a hanging basket or on a raised pedestal that highlights this distinctive feature.
It has a tactile quality as well. The spines develop into long, gentle “hairs” that are comfortable to stroke.
They usually have a ginger color at the stem’s base and a considerably lighter color at the stem’s tips.
Depending on the amount of water present, the ridged stems allow for expansion and contraction.
They lack leaves in favor of spines that protrude from aerioles or nodes.
Contrary to most other plants, which have chlorophyll in their leaves, cacti have this food-producing material in their stems. The stems are of a yellowish-green hue.
The Monkey Tail cactus grows fairly quickly. The stems, or “tails,” can grow up to 10 cm per month in the spring and summer.
When fully grown, the stems can reach a diameter of 7.5 centimeters and a length of up to 2.5 meters.
The stems are firm at the base for a few feet before beginning to droop in their typical manner. On a single plant, there may be three to five stems that branch off at the base.
By cultivating multiple plants in one pot, you can increase this total and give the impression of a “octopus.”
A medium-sized pot with many tails cascading from it will undoubtedly spark conversation.
A Monkey Tail grafted onto an upright member of the same genus would be much more impressive.
The plant produces a variety of colors between pink and red with huge pink and red flowers in the spring and summer. Anywhere along the stems is where the flowers will grow.
Propagation
Cutting off a piece of a monkey tail cactus’ tail, letting it dry, and then planting it in dry soil about a centimeter deep is the main method of propagation.
Whenever a tail is cut, the cut end will sprout branches or “pups” that remarkably resemble fingers.
Flowers that have been patiently and expertly pollinated will eventually bear fruit and provide seeds that can be planted.
Potting
The shallow roots of the Monkey Tail do not require much depth. The quantity of plants you decide to put in the pot will define its breadth.
To replace the soil, it is advised that you repot the plant every three years. Unless you intend to put more individual plants in the pot, it won’t be essential to expand the size of the pot.
Are poisonous monkey tail cacti common?
Yes, the monkey tail cactus is poisonous and cannot be eaten in any way. How can a monkey tail cactus be made to bloom? It all comes down to how much air and water the plant receives. Keeping the soil dry from fall through winter is crucial.
A monkey tail cactus is it safe to touch?
The stems are greenish-yellow in color and are entirely covered in delicate, downward-facing white spines that resemble hair. Although they may appear to be safe to touch at first glance, beware! Three to five stems that branch at the bottom can be found on a single plant.
When growing a monkey tail cactus from seed, how long does it take?
Because it is simple to cultivate, Cleistocactus winteri subs. colademononis is a nice cactus for novices. Both pots and hanging baskets were appropriate. Use a well-drained loose cactus mix. Every other year or after the plant has outgrown its pot, repotting with fresh potting soil is recommended because they are quick-growing and need lots of room for their roots. Repotting does not, however, automatically imply that they will require bigger containers. The sun’s rays: Needs filtered strong light, some sun, or light shade, but not direct sunlight because that would burn it. Throughout the growing season, they demand a moderate amount of irrigation. If the weather is sunny enough, you can do this once a week or even more frequently during the summer. Just make sure to let the soil completely dry before watering it again. Plants will exhibit a healthy growth if this is maintained. Once the temperature begins to fall in October, keep it dry, and during the winter, keep it dry. The plant can endure the winter months outside without protection (cold hardy to -2), however it is then rather susceptible to decay. Occasionally during the active growing period, feed liquid feed high in potassium. Winter maintenance is simple at temperatures between 5 and 15 degrees Celsius with plenty of light, but it can survive brief spells of frost at -2C if conditions are very dry. For this plant to produce blossoms profusely in the winter, it need a period of chilly rest. If the conditions are right, it can also freely bloom inside. The optimum method of seeding is surface planting; seeds germinate in 14–28 days at 20 C; keep in mind that seedlings detest intense sunshine and dry circumstances.
How many different kinds of monkey tail cacti exist?
The North American deserts are home to the succulent monkey tail cactus. The plant’s long, thin tail that extends from the top gives it its name. The body of the cactus is shaped like a globe and is covered with short, prickly bristles. Its hues range from light to dark green, and they could have a reddish undertone. In warm, dry areas, the monkey tail cactus flourishes and doesn’t need much maintenance or water. It is a well-liked option for gardeners who wish to give their landscape a little color and texture.
What are a few of the typical varieties of monkey tail cactus? If you want to add a monkey tail cactus to your collection of succulents, you should be aware that there are more than 30 different varieties of this cactus. The globular monkey tail cactus, tuberous monkey tail cactus, fountain monkey tail cactus, and fringed money tail cactus are a few of them. Some others are the San Pedro monkey tail cactus, prickly pear monkey tail cactus, ribbon monkey tail cactus, and monkey tail cactus from Aconcagua.
This blog entry goes through the several varieties of monkey tail cactus, their natural habitats, and other characteristics that set each one apart from the others. Learn more by reading on.
Do you water monkey tails frequently?
Care for monkey tail cacti is simple. The maintenance needed to keep this cactus healthy is simple, just like other succulent plants.
Once you’ve located a place that suits its requirements, it will be content there for a long time.
The most important details for taking care of your monkey tail cactus are listed below.
Sun Exposure & Light Requirements
Even though it may survive in some shade, this plant should only get a maximum of 5 hours of direct sunlight each day.
The cactus will eventually weaken and grow spindly if it receives too much shade.
The ideal lighting for this plant is bright, indirect light. To thrive, it requires very bright yet indirect sunshine.
While too much shade will weaken the cactus, too much direct sunlight might burn the plant.
To get the most sunshine throughout the winter, the cactus should be placed facing a south-facing window.
When cultivated outside, avoid direct noon sun exposure because the high heat may cause the cactus plant to become sunburned.
Watering Requirements
Water is not at all necessary for the monkey tail cactus plant. The most frequent and simplest to correct error made by novice cactus owners is overwatering.
Every one to two weeks, give your plant enough water to completely hydrate the soil. After an hour or two, make sure to drain any extra water that is still in the pot.
It is best to let the soil dry out between waterings and never let the plant sit in water, as is the case with other cacti.
You might need to water your cactus more frequently if it’s in a sunny spot. You will need to water your cactus more frequently if it spent the summer outside.
During the colder months, your cactus may only require watering once every two to three weeks.
Size & Growth
Its stems, which resemble tails, can grow up to three or four feet long in nature and ramble across rocky hillsides.
They begin upright but fall over and dangle once they reach a length of about 2 feet.
Flowering & Fragrance
The Monkey Tail cactus produces easy-to-germinate reddish, spherical seeds from its blossoms.
The plant often blooms in the spring and summer, but depending on the climate, it may also bloom in the fall or even the winter.
Light & Temperature
Except in extremely intense and damaging sunlight, it may thrive in full sun outdoors.
However, anecdotal data suggests that the Monkey Tail cactus can endure temperatures as low as -2 degrees Fahrenheit. It grows well in USDA hardiness zones 9a11b (-19 C).
Watering & Feeding
Water thoroughly in the spring and summer when the top few inches of soil become dry.
Keep the cactus dry during the winter months since chilly temperatures and moisture will encourage root rot.
Apply a slow-release, low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer early in the spring.
Grooming & Maintenance
Remove offsets or short branches as needed to improve the plant’s appearance or to be used in further growth.
NOTE: The cactus will be stimulated to develop new growth whenever you cut any part of it.
Moving the plant should be avoided because the tendrils are prone to breaking.
Avoid exposing hanging baskets of Rat’s Tail cacti to strong winds.
Why is the yellowing of my monkey tail?
There are more possibilities besides rot and overwatering for why the cactus feels soft. It may occasionally be a sign of the plant being severely dehydrated. Because they can store water, cacti and succulents can endure prolonged periods of drought. This does not imply that they do not require any water, either.
Water is a must for cactus plants, especially during the summer when it’s scorching. If they go too long without water, their water reserves start to run out. You can notice them softening at this point.
The plant may also turn yellow if it is very dry or lacks water. The plant will typically also look withered or wrinkled. Give your plant a good soaking when this occurs, and it should recover in a day or two.
The severity of the damage to the plant increases when there is bottom-up yellowing and the plant feels mushy and soft. The plant’s roots are starting to decay. The most frequent causes of this include excessive watering, exposure to extremely high or low temperatures, or any combination of the aforementioned.
What plant is the most fascinating?
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