Cleistocactus strausii

🌵 Name

Cleistocactus strausii
Common name: Silver Torch Cactus

🌱 Description

• Type: Columnar cactus

• Form: Tall, upright, slender green stem

• Spines: Dense, fine silvery-white spines giving a fuzzy/torch-like look

• Growth: Fast for a columnar cactus; often grown in batches like your nursery photo

• Size:

  • In pots: 30–90 cm

  • In ground (mature): up to 2–3 m

This is not Cereus or Trichocereus—the thin column + soft silvery spines are classic Cleistocactus strausii.

☀️ Care Guide (Ideal for Indian Conditions)

Light

• Bright light to full sun

• At least 4–6 hours of sunlight daily

• Too little light = weak, thin growth

Water

• Water only when soil is completely dry

• Summer: every 7–10 days

• Winter: every 3–4 weeks
  ⚠️ Avoid water standing at the base

Soil

Very fast-draining cactus mix:

• 50% coarse sand / grit / perlite

• 30% garden soil

• 20% compost or cocopeat

Pot

• Deep pot with excellent drainage

• Terracotta preferred

• Repot every 1–2 years

Temperature

• Ideal: 15–35°C

• Can tolerate mild cold but protect below 5°C

🌸 Flowering

• Produces bright red tubular flowers

• Flowers appear from the upper sides of mature stems

• Blooms mostly in summer

🌱 Propagation

• Stem cuttings (very easy)

• Let cutting callous 7–10 days before planting

⚠️ Common Problems

• Root rot: Overwatering

• Etiolation: Low light

• Mealybugs: Rare but possible at base

✅ Nursery Tip

This cactus is:

• Fast-selling

• Very hardy

• Excellent for rows, collections, and balcony sun spots