There are countless species of ball cactus, also known as mother-in-law's chair or mother-in-law's seat. Many of them will be huge. Only a few species are suitable for indoor cultivation. Most varieties won't bloom, even if you do everything right when caring for them.
Origin of the ball cactus species
All types of ball cactus are native to Mexico. They develop a spherical stature and are usually light green in color. Adult specimens have up to 30 ribs. The thorns can become very long and pointy.
Ball cacti can live very long in the wild. They then reach a height of five meters or more and a diameter of one meter. Of course, the ball cactus doesn't grow that big when grown indoors.
Only a few species are suitable for indoor cultivation, including the Echinocactus grusonii and the Echinocactus horizonthalonius.
Mostly grown as a foliage plant
Caring for a ball cactus is not difficult. But overwintering is not that easy, as the ball cactus has a cooler phase in winter. During this time the temperatures should be between 12 and 15 degrees. The frost-sensitive plant cannot tolerate temperatures cooler than 10 degrees.
If winter rest is not observed, the ball cactus cannot produce flowers.
In summer you can place a leaf cactus on the terrace or balcony. You just have to bring him back into the house in time before the temperatures drop too much.
The ball cactus horizonthalonius blooms best
The ball cactus can also reach a considerable size when grown indoors. However, not all varieties develop flowers. You can most likely expect flowering from the ball cactus horizontalhalonius.
It takes years for a ball cactus to bloom for the first time. Only fully grown specimens produce flowers.
The ball cactus can be propagated from seeds (€11.00 at Amazon). However, the flowers are almost never fertilized in this country, so you have to resort to purchased seeds.
Tip
The ball cactus, botanically Echinocactus grusonii, is, like almost all cactus species, not poisonous. However, the thorns, which are very sharp and long, can be dangerous. If you have to touch the ball cactus, wrap it with a terry cloth towel.