Leaf Cactus Pereskia
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- pe-RES-kee-ah
- Description
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The rose cactus is a genus of tropical cacti that are native to South America from Venezuela to Paraguay and has only 4 accepted species; many leafy cacti formerly included in this genus are now placed in other genera. It is a member of the cactus family (Cactaceae). The plants are found in dry forests and come in a variety of forms, ranging from a hedge, houseplant, shrub, and vine. Pereskia is the only genus in the cactus family that has non-succulent leaves. It is deciduous, multi-branched, has a woody trunk and branches, thin stems, and flat, fleshy leaves. These plants have spines that develop from the areoles and have the same type of flowers as other plants in the cactus family. Because of their large size and tropical requirements, they are not usually seen in cultivation. Many scientists believe the rose cactus is the ancestor of the Cactaceae family, and other cacti lost their leaves as they adapted to dry conditions. The genus name, Pereskia, honors Nicholas Claude Fabre de Peiresc, who was a French 16th-century naturalist, botanist and archaeologist.
These plants prefer moist, well-drained, rich, organic soil in full sun or part shade and are drought tolerant. They require very little maintenance, but they may be pruned or shaped. The leaves will drop if the temperatures are below 50 degrees F. It can be propagated from seed. fresh stem cuttings planted in soil and can also be rooted in water.
The leaves are non-succulent, glossy, green and occasionally tinged with purple and have entire margins. The stems have areoles and spines, and their floral cups are like other cacti. The flowers are ¾ to 3 inches in diameter and look similar to a wild rose and are found mostly in shades white, pink, rose, or purple. Depending on the species the flower color may vary. Most species are cultivated for their flowers and edible fruit. The fruit is usually yellow-green and pear-shaped, but this may also vary depending on the species.
Some species can be grown as an ornamental in containers or on a trellis. Some may also be grown as privacy hedge. The flowers will attract pollinators, and the fruits will attract birds and small mammals.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Monitor for mealybugs and scale. Overwatering can cause root rot.
VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti," a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Lime Glow'
red new growth that transitions to lime yellow, flowers are cream colored with a furry center - Pereskia aculeata (Barbados Gooseberry)
houseplant, small, vining, sprawling, showy, scented white to yellow flowers, large fleshy green leaves, oranged edible fruits - Pereskia diaz-romeroana
native Bolivia. tree-like, pinkish-red flower, rare - Pereskia horrida
native Peru, tree-like, brown, orange, or red floweers - Pereskia weberiana
native of Bolivia, shrub, pinkish-white flowers, rare
- 'Lime Glow'
- 'Lime Glow', Pereskia aculeata (Barbados Gooseberry), Pereskia diaz-romeroana, Pereskia horrida, Pereskia weberiana
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Lime Glow'
red new growth that transitions to lime yellow, flowers are cream colored with a furry center - Pereskia aculeata (Barbados Gooseberry)
houseplant, small, vining, sprawling, showy, scented white to yellow flowers, large fleshy green leaves, oranged edible fruits - Pereskia diaz-romeroana
native Bolivia. tree-like, pinkish-red flower, rare - Pereskia horrida
native Peru, tree-like, brown, orange, or red floweers - Pereskia weberiana
native of Bolivia, shrub, pinkish-white flowers, rare
- 'Lime Glow'
- 'Lime Glow', Pereskia aculeata (Barbados Gooseberry), Pereskia diaz-romeroana, Pereskia horrida, Pereskia weberiana
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Pereskia
- Family:
- Cactaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Venezuela to Paraguay
- Distribution:
- Native: Argentina Northeast Bolivia, Brazil Northeast, Brazil Southeast, Brazil West Central Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. Introduced: Bermuda, Cape Provinces, China, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Myanmar, New South Wales, Northern Provinces, Puerto Rico, Queensland, United States--Florida, Hawaii, and Texas, and Vietnam
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruits attract birds.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- The leaves are edible and some species have edible fruit.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 16 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Succulent
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Spines
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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:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Some species produce edible fruit. The fruit is fleshy, oblong to pear-shaped, and are usually yellow-green when ripened. Some species have orange, red, or brown fruits, while others have small, glossy black fruits. The seeds are black and embedded in the flesh of the fruit.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The flowers may be solitary or appear in clusters of two or more. They resemble a wild rose. The flowers measures 3/4 to 3 inches in diameter and have many petals and many stamens.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Glossy
- Waxy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Despite being a cactus, this plant grows true leaves. They are simple, flat, fleshy, waxy, entire, and usually have petioles. The wooly areoles on the leaf axils have both the medium green to yellow-green leaves and spines. The leaves are edible.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Older stems grow a smooth bark. The areoles on the trunk have straight and brown or black spines
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Newer growth is green with no spines while older growth grows bark and sharp spines from areoles. The twigs are thin and flexible, and the young areoles on twigs have up to 8 spines.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Vertical Spaces
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Humidity
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
