Peruvian Apple Cactus

Family: Cactaceae

Genus: Cereus

Botanical Name: Cereus repandus

Difficulty: easy to care for

Light

Grows best in full sunlight and does well in greenhouses and rooms with a lot of windows (for indoor growing). They can also live in shady areas that receive bright light.

Water

Needs water once soil is completely dry during warmer months. They will need less water during the colder months because the cold slows down their growth cycle.

Climate

Peruvian apple cacti prefer a warm climate. They enjoy temperatures in the 60-76°F range. For indoor plants, the temperature can be controlled to follow a seasonal growth schedule if kept in the 50-55°F range during the colder months.

Soil

Use a cactus soil mixture than will drain quickly to avoid root rot. During the growing season (warmer months) use a slow-release fertilizer. 

Pests & Diseases

Look out for scale and mealybugs. Scale is a disease that affects cacti both indoors and outdoors. The surface of the cacti will appear gray and crusty when infested with scale. Mealybugs are little grey or light brown insects that gather around the base of the cactus or right under the top soil. 

Tips

Repot each spring until growth is more stable.

Use a pot with a heavy base, these guys are top heavy!

Taller clippings will need a bigger pot.

Water thoroughly to help it set in the soil.

 It will need full sun to help the roots set.

Signs your cactus isn’t happy

Yellowing stems: lack of nutrients or water

Rotting smell: root rot

Shriveling: under watered

Dry and calloused: under watered

How to propagate 

Using a sharp knife, take stem cuttings from the top of a mature plant. Allow it to dry for a week or two to form a callous. After it has started to callous, you can pot it directly into a pot prepared with peat based compost. 

Fun facts about this fruitful cactus:

• They can produce edible pitaya fruits that are similar to a dragon fruit.
• These fruits are rich in natural minerals, vitamins, and sugars.
• These guys can more than 20 feet tall!
•  Their flowers bloom right before dawn or sunset.

Hardiness Zones

Before you move your plant outside, be sure to check the hardiness zone to save yourself some grief and the loss of a beloved plant. 

The hardiness zones for Peruvian apple cacti are : 9-11

If you live in Tennessee, here’s a hardiness map to help you decide if your plant can survive  outside!