The Old Man Cactus is a tall, columnar species featuring clusters of stems that can reach heights of 5 to 15 meters in the wild. As a houseplant, it can reach up to 3 feet. Typically, the stems remain unbranched due to their inability to support side branches. Its most distinctive characteristic is the dense covering of long, white hairs resembling the unkempt hair of an elderly man. This silvery-white coat is especially prominent on younger plants but gradually diminishes as the cactus matures. Flowers, which can be red, yellow, or white, usually appear only after 10 to 20 years of growth.
Details
Botanical Name
Cephalocereus senilis
Common Name
Old Man Cactus
Hardiness Zone
Appearance
Max Height
3 feet
Max Spread
Plant Form
Foliage Colour
- Green with White
Fall Colour
Flower Colour
- Yellow
- Red
- White
Edible
Edible Component
Edible Harvest Period
Edible Use
Fruit Colour
Growing
Flowering Period
Moisture
Dry to Average
Sunlight
Full Sun
Maintenance
Low
Deer Resistance
Get more information about this plant and others with our comprehensive plant finder tool.
