Last updated on October 2nd, 2022 at 01:10 pm
Echinopsis chamaecereus ‘Peanut Cactus’: This is an easy growing clumping cactus. It produces long finger branches from the pot that have short spines that are relatively harmless.
In late spring it’ll produce beautiful vivid red and orange flowers that make it favorite for Cactus growers.
Conditions
The Peanut Cactus will not be able to tolerate a hard frost. If freezing conditions are forecast, it’s best to bring the cactus indoors to spend the colder months on a window cill or under grow lights.
As with most Cacti, Echinopsis chamaecereus requires a good amount of bright sunlight and infrequent watering.
Potting
All potting soils must drain quickly in order to prevent root rot.
Potting containers should contain plenty of drainage holes on the bottom. Ideally, use a commercial Cactus or Succulent potting mix. If a premade mix is not available, mix 1/3 horticultural sand, 1/3 perlite, and 1/3 potting compost together.
Watering
A peanut cactus should be watered enough to allow for water to drain out of the bottom of the pot.
Allow the potting mix to dry out before watering again.
During the growing months you may need to water more frequently, and inversely, during the dormant months water them less frequently.
Additional Information
If you’re living in a hot dry climate or if you’re just looking for a Cacti to grow indoors, then a peanut cactus is a great choice.
The Peanut Cactus (Echinopsis chamaecereus) originates from Argentina. It may also be called the chamaecereus cactus.
It’s characterized by its clump or carpet growing nature which produces a shallow root system. The stems are finger shaped, or like a long peanut, hence the name.
Most will grow to around 6 inches long (15cm) and will spread in a carpet fashion to around 15 inches in diameter.
During late spring the Peanut cactus will produce a stunning display of dark yellow, orange or red flowers that will appear on every finger.
They are a popular species due to their ease of growing, the speed at which they grow and the spectacular flowers they put on show once a year.
They will grow very well in hot areas of your garden that receive a lot of direct bright sunlight. It’s well suited to grow across zones 10 and 11. For more information on zones, please see here. Even though they do well outdoors, they also make excellent house plants.
If grown indoors, make sure they are in a position where they can receive plenty of sunlight year-round, a south-facing window if you’re in the northern hemisphere or a north-facing window, if you’re in the southern hemisphere, is a great choice.
Feed your peanut cactus a balanced fertilizer at the start of every growing season.
To guarantee a springtime flower show make sure the cactus is kept in a cool place during the winter months where watering is kept to an absolute minimum. The Cactus may even start to shrivel up during this period, but this will mean an impressive flower show once the growing season starts.
