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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Austrocylindropuntia subulata 'Cristata' Form
Echinopsis oxygona Echinopsis Oxygona
Salvia rosmarinus Rosmarinus officinalis
Cephalocereus senilis has some common insect problems:
Mealybugs

Old Man Cactus Cephalocereus senilis

Previously known as:

  • Cactus senilis
  • Euporteria senilis
Phonetic Spelling
sef-uh-low-SAIR-ee-us SEE-nil-is
Description

Old man cactus is a tall, columnar succulent shrub or tree that is found in the desert or dry shrubland. It is a member of the cactus family (Cactaceae) and has spines that form fine white hairs that are reminiscent of an old man.  It is native to Northeastern Mexico but is becoming more challenging to find in its natural habitat. Widespread propagation and popularity in cultivation may reduce the demand on the wild populations. The old man cactus is a popular houseplant and grown for its woolly appearance.

It prefers a fertile, well-drained soil mix and bright sunlight which encourages the growth of the hair. Water the plants well and allow them to dry out before rewatering. Using an unglazed pot for your indoor planting will allow the excess moisture to evaporate. During the growing season, fertilize it monthly with a balanced fertilizer. If kept well-fed and watered throughout the warmest months, and acclimated to full sun, it can produce 7 inches of growth every year. If grown outside, place it in the full sun. If grown indoors, provide bright light and some direct sun. During the winter water and fertilizer should be withheld. This plant is hardy in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9 to 11. The plant will need frost and freeze protection. 

Old man cactus has clusters of stems that may grow to 16 to 40 feet tall; however, the most striking feature is its shaggy coat of long white hairs, and hence the common name "old man cactus." The coat is particularly striking on the young cactus, but, as the plant ages, the stem loses its covering. The hairs are modified spines and serve to protect the plant from frost and sun by reflecting the rays of the sun and insulating the cactus from heat and cold. The hairs are only the radial spines of the cactus; beneath them are sharp yellow central spines. The solitary, nocturnal flowers are red, yellow, or white. The plant may not flower for 10 or 20 years or until the plant is over 15 feet tall. The fruits appear 3 to 4 weeks after flowering and are obovoid and rose colored.   

Growing to heights of 40 feet in the wild, when grown as a houseplant it will typically reach a maximum height of 3-4 feet tall. It can take upwards of 200 years for this plant to reach it full height when situated in its natural habitat. For added interest and its unusual wooly appearance, consider adding the old man cactus to your rock or succulent garden.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:  Mealybugs, scale and other flying insects can be an issue because they are difficult to view due to the hairs present on the plant. It is susceptible to fungal diseases such as root rot, if overwatered. If kept damp through cold periods, they will suffer. When moving a houseplant from the house to the outdoors, too much light too soon can cause the plant to become sunburned.  Place the plant outdoors for a brief period of time, then gradually increase the sun exposure over a period of several weeks. This will allow the plant to adjust to the increased sunlight.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Cephalocereus senilis f. cristatus
    crested form with long, grayish white hairs
Cephalocereus senilis f. cristatus
Tags:
#evergreen#heat tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#succulent#frost tender#interiorscape#winter interest#fall interest#rabbit resistant#disease resistant#deer resistant#spines#summer interest#spring interest#cactus#rocky soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#wet soils intolerant#showy#dry air tolerant#insect resistant#long lived
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Cephalocereus senilis f. cristatus
    crested form with long, grayish white hairs
Cephalocereus senilis f. cristatus
Tags:
#evergreen#heat tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#succulent#frost tender#interiorscape#winter interest#fall interest#rabbit resistant#disease resistant#deer resistant#spines#summer interest#spring interest#cactus#rocky soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#wet soils intolerant#showy#dry air tolerant#insect resistant#long lived
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cephalocereus
    Species:
    senilis
    Family:
    Cactaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Typically used as a houseplant/container plant.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North Eastern Mexico to Veracruz
    Distribution:
    Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast
    Wildlife Value:
    House finch eat the fruits and seeds.
    Play Value:
    Easy to Grow
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Succulent
    Habit/Form:
    Columnar
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
    Appendage:
    Spines
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit are rarely formed if grown as a houseplant. They are obovoid, about 1 inch long, and rose colored. The seeds are numerous and black, and will be dispersed by birds. Fruits will form 3 to 4 weeks after flowering.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are nocturnal and may not appear until the cactus has reached 10 to 20 years old. They are solitary, funnel shaped with an ovary, measure 2 to 3.5 inches long and 3 inches in diameter, and yellowish pink to rose-coloured. The floral tubes are hairy.
  • Leaves:
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    The stems are cylindrical, columnar, light to bright green, becoming gray, 12 inches in diameter, and sometimes branched from the base with a rounded top. The individual stems are usually unbranched. The aeroles are about 1/4 inch long and equally as wide. The aeroles at the base of the old plants produce 20 to 30 white or grayish bristles. On the developing plants, the bristles are shorter and are mixed with a dense wool. The central spines are stout and yellowish-gray.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Rock Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Diseases
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Insect Pests
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Spines/Thorns