Eve's Needle Crest Austrocylindropuntia subulata 'Cristata'
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Opuntia subulata 'Cristata'
- Phonetic Spelling
- oss-troh-sil-in-droh-POON-tee-uh sub-yoo-LAH-tuh
- Description
-
Crested Eve's Needle is a cultivar and crested form of the species, Eve's Needle Cactus. Its stems fan outward into different wavy shapes, topped with combs of long emerald green succulent leaves with white areoles and a few white spines. They are slow growing, but over time can reach heights of up to 1 to 2 feet.
Like other varieties of desert cacti, they require plenty of sun and bright light, while water should be limited. In locations with hot, arid conditions, maintenance is minimal. Regular watering in the summer should be provided, allowing the plant to dry out between watering. Plant in a soil mixture appropriate for cacti and in pots with good drainage. Clay pots are best as they allow the roots and soil to dry out quicker, which allows more oxygen to be exchanged. Clay pots also provide more stability to the plant, which can become top-heavy due to its size. Their root system needs plenty of room. Repotting should be done every other year, or when it is obvious that the plant has outgrown its container.
The parent plant, Eve's needle cactus, has long and slender stems with sharp spines. The crested Eve's needle cultivar results from the tips of the branches growth cells multiplying faster than the normal rate. This mutated growth produces a sculptured effect of whorls or fans of the branches.This form typically does not bloom, however, it will sometimes throw off normal stems that produces flowers.
The crested Eve's needle cactus is a popular ornamental and will add interest to your houseplant collection.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for mealybugs and scale insects. Overwatering can cause root rot.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Austrocylindropuntia
- Species:
- subulata
- Family:
- Cactaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Play Value:
- Easy to Grow
- Textural
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Succulent
- Habit/Form:
- Broad
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Spines
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- The crested form will not flower. If any normal stems are produced, they may produce flowers.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Other/more complex
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are fleshy and emerald green and appearing at the tops of the stem pads.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Narrow, undulating, emerald green succulent stems with white areoles and a few white spines.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns