Pot Size: 2.5"
Accepted Scientific Name: Notocactus roseoluteus
Origin and Habitat:
Notocactus roseoluteus is native to southern Brazil and northern Uruguay, where it grows in grasslands and rocky slopes at low to moderate elevations. It inhabits regions with warm summers, periodic rainfall, and dry winters. The soils in its native habitat are shallow, gritty, and well-drained, often formed from decomposed rock or gravel. These cacti grow in full sun or light shade, often nestled among grasses or low vegetation that provides partial protection from intense midday sun. The climate is subtropical to temperate, with occasional frost and strong seasonal shifts in moisture.
Description:
Notocactus roseoluteus is a small, globular to short-columnar cactus, typically 3–4 in tall and 3–4 in wide. It has a rounded, green to bluish-green body with 12–18 ribs lined with woolly areoles. The spines are short, bristly, and yellowish to brown, radiating evenly around each areole. In late spring to summer, it produces beautiful, funnel-shaped flowers 2–3 in across. The blooms range from soft pink to rose with a distinct yellow center, appearing near the crown of the plant and often blooming in clusters.
Cultivation:
Zone: USDA 9–11
Temperature: Prefers 10–30 °C; tolerates light frost down to –2 °C if kept dry
Growth rate: Moderate; faster with regular watering and full light in warm conditions
Soil: Use a fast-draining mix of 2 parts pumice to 1 part cactus soil or peat
Watering: Water thoroughly when soil is dry during the growing season; reduce significantly in winter
Fertilizing: Apply diluted cactus fertilizer every 2–3 weeks from spring to mid Aug.
Light: Full sun to partial shade; intense light enhances flowering and spine color
Pests and Diseases: May attract mealybugs or spider mites; root rot possible in poorly drained or overwatered conditions
Propagation:
Propagated easily from seed, which germinates in warm, moist conditions. Can also offset slowly with age.
