How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Peanut Cactus

Few plants make it as houseplants. Our homes have so little space, and they can tolerate a finite number of plants. That’s why selecting a houseplant is a special task. You’re choosing what you want to look at for the next few years!

The peanut cactus earns its spot on the shelf. If you have an open windowsill with plenty of direct sunlight, this plant is beautiful and unique enough to sit on it. Unlike other cacti that grow upright, this one leans and rambles the older it grows.

It’s easy to care for, drought-tolerant, and neglect-resistant. Give it the care it needs during the growing season, then leave it be for the rest of the year.

What Is It?

This cactus grows wild in South America. Its common name is peanut cactus, and its scientific name is Chamaecereus silvestrii. It is sometimes called Echinopsis chamaecereus. Many varieties are now available, and they all appreciate care similar to that of the species.

Native Area

This plant is native to Argentina, where it roams dry hillsides. Peanut cactus plants start small, and they slowly spread to form a wide clump. Stems grow long and fall over, after which they form roots to anchor the clump to the soil.

Though native to Argentina, it thrives outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 11. Elsewhere, it works well in a container as a potted specimen. Bring it outdoors for the summer and indoors for the winter before the first frost. 

Characteristics

Short, white spines adorn the succulent, green stems. They stay short, and they’re less prickly than other cacti. Though they’re less prickly, they still may penetrate the skin! Use care when handling, and wear gloves to be careful.

Peanut cactus plants evolved to tolerate long, dry winter seasons and wet summers. They prefer little to no moisture while the weather is cold, and regular watering when it’s warm. With regular watering, flowers will appear in summer at the ends of the fleshy stems.

Flowers differ in color depending on the variety. The species has red-orange flowers, though cultivars can have blooms with pink, yellow, pale yellow, orange, and red petals. One variety, ‘Lutea,’ has yellow stems! 

Planting

It’s easier to find starts and transplant them than it is to grow seeds, but don’t let me stop you. Growing cacti from seed is a rewarding experience, and it’s a great way to learn more about how they mature. Find seeds online, and look for starts at a local nursery or houseplant store. 

Growing from Seed

Unlike quick-sprouting vegetables, cacti seeds take a long time to mature. Start by filling pots with a well-drained potting mix. Choose one that’s specifically for cacti and succulents, or make your own blend with garden materials. Ensure the soil has grit for drainage; add perlite, pumice, or vermiculite.

Scatter the seeds on the surface of the pots. Press them gently into the soil, then mist them with a spray bottle. Ensure the seeds stay damp, but not soggy, until they sprout. Place them under partial shade, then gradually move them to full sun once they begin growing. 

If you’re growing seeds indoors, ensure there’s enough sunlight from a window. If the room is dark, consider adding plant grow lights above the seedlings. You may start the seeds any time of year if you have grow lights. 

Transplanting

It takes seedlings a long time to mature! Leave them in their pots until they fill them, then transplant them to their final home. This may take a year or longer. Grow them in containers for easy moving, or plant them outdoors in gardens with frost-free winters. 

It’s important to grow the plants in well-draining soil. They most commonly suffer from root rot in wet soils, and drainage is essential for healthy specimens. 

With gloves, place the containers on their sides and ease the cacti from them. Take the seedlings and transfer them to their new homes, then mound soil on their roots. Water the site well, and wait to water again until the soil dries. 

How to Grow

Some light maintenance will ensure your peanut cactus stays healthy during its lifetime. Pay attention to its habits during the growing season, then let it enter a slow-growth period for the winter. These guidelines provide further support. 

Light

Peanut cactus plants prefer growing in full sun with six or more hours of daily direct sunlight. They grow leggy and spindly in the shade, and potted specimens indoors are no exception. They especially need bright conditions, no matter if the light is from windows or grow lights.

For easy lighting indoors, set a grow light on an automatic timer. Have it go on for eight hours or more a day, and set it to turn off when you wake up and go to bed. You won’t have to remember to turn on lights, and your cactus will thrive during the cold months. 

Outdoors, specimens may benefit from afternoon shade in the hottest regions. Dry, sunny regions like the valleys of Southern California are harsh for plants. Protect them from the sun during the hottest hours of the afternoon, then let it shine on them in the morning, midday, and evening. 

Water

How much water the peanut cactus needs depends on the time of year. Specimens require little to no water during the cool months of fall and winter. Let their soil dry out completely, then water them sparingly, if at all.

You’ll notice when it’s time to water in spring as new growth emerges. Give them lots of water to moisten their soil, then let them dry out. After the surface dries in a week or two, water again to remoisten the soil. 

The process is similar, but reversed, for the summer-to-fall transition. Slow the watering regularity until it’s once a month, and begin to move the plants indoors for the winter. 

Soil

Free-draining soil is essential! Use a mix, or make your own with some compost and plenty of grit. Sand helps with the drainage, though too much of it makes a dense soil. Aim for a light, airy mix that doesn’t allow moisture to pool. 

Perlite works well to add drainage, though it may float to the top of the pot after repeated watering. Use pumice instead, as it doesn’t float and it stays nestled under the surface. 

Fertilizing

When shopping for soil, avoid fertilizer-heavy blends with extra nutrients. These cacti thrive in poor soils, and they don’t require regular fertilizing like most garden plants. 

You may want to fertilize long-standing plants after a few years. Dilute an all-purpose fertilizer to a quarter or an eighth. Add it two or three times during the growing season, and water it in well. 

Maintenance

Relatively low-maintenance, these cacti require little extra care outside of their regular regimen. As their stems grow, they may need light trimming to stay compact and bushy. 

Whether to prune or not depends on your visual preferences. Do you want a plant with tiny peanut-like stems, or do you prefer long, rambling stems hanging over the pot? Choose what you’d like, and prune accordingly to achieve your desired vision. 

Propagation

It’s easiest to propagate the peanut cactus using cuttings of the stems, though you may save seeds and sow them if you wish. Old specimens benefit from division to rejuvenate their growth. Choose whichever propagation method works best for you and your garden’s setup.

Cuttings

Take cuttings during the active growth phase in spring or summer. Chop four to six-inch portions of the stems, and set them aside to dry. You want the cut wound to callous and form a protective layer. 

After the stems callous, stick them into pots with well-drained potting soil. Water them well, then let the soil dry. Wait to water again until the soil dries completely. Cuttings may rot if you overwater them, and letting the soil dry is essential for healthy growth.

New growth from the stems indicates that the roots are well-formed. Transplant the cuttings where you want them to grow, or leave them in their pots until they fill them. 

Division

Divide an old cactus by removing it from the ground or its pot. Dig it out, or, wearing gloves, pull it from its container. Set it aside and inspect it. Where are the roots healthy, and where could you separate the plant?

Once you see a good division spot, use a sharp knife to slice the plant in two. Ensure each new part has ample roots and aboveground stems. Some large specimens may divide into three or four! It all depends on how big the plant is. 

Take the cut divisions and repot them with fresh potting soil. Water them well, and let them fill their new homes with growth. Wait to divide again until the cactus is mature and wide. 

Seed Saving

Seed saving is a tricky process. You need two separate cacti to facilitate cross-pollination. Use two different varieties, or choose two plants that grew from separate seeds, not cuttings. You’ll also need a paintbrush.

When the flowers open, use the paintbrush to dust pollen from one cactus’s flower onto the other. Repeat the process for all flowers, then wait for seeds to form. Once they do, collect them and set them on a paper towel to dry.

Once they’re dry, place them in a container for long-term storage. Store them in a plastic container, a glass jar, or a paper envelope. Then, place them in a cool, dark location until you’re ready to sow seeds. 

Popular Varieties

Many peanut cactus cultivars exist, and these are some of the most popular. Choose one with your favorite-colored flower for gorgeous blooms during the summer. Here are red, violet, orange, and yellow varieties. 

Lutea

‘Lutea’ is the most unique of the cactus varieties! It sports scarlet-red flowers and yellow stems. You may think the cactus is sick, but it isn’t. It’s a rare mutation that ‘Lutea’ sports, whether it’s young or old.

This variety works best alongside other green succulents and cacti. The yellow stands out. Or, try making an all-yellow cactus garden with other sunshine-colored cacti. 

Violet

‘Violet’ is the variety for purple-lovers. It features violet-lavender blooms that shine under the summer sun. Unlike ‘Lutea,’ this cultivar has green stems typical of the species.

Grow ‘Violet’ in a container with another variety, like ‘Yellow Bird.’ The yellow contrasts well with violet, making a pleasing color combination during the flowering season. 

Wotan

‘Wotan’ is similar to the species, except its blooms are much more vivid. They’re bright orange-red, and many petals adorn each one. They sprout from thick, green stems with soft spines all over. 

The spines of this cultivar are thicker than those of the species. Use care when handling it, and wear gloves for safe measure. 

Yellow Bird

My personal favorite is ‘Yellow Bird.’ Its flowers aren’t quite yellow, as they closely resemble the soft color of ‘Vanilla Ice’ sunflowers. They’re gorgeous! 

‘Yellow Bird’ grows similarly to the species. Give it regular water during the growing and blooming seasons, and cut back during the winter. 

Common Problems

Relatively problem-free, the peanut cactus requires little to thrive. Watch for mealybugs and spider mites, and prevent root rot by letting the dirt dry between waterings. 

Pests

Mealybugs are white, powdery insects that form large infestations over time. They sometimes target the peanut cactus when it’s in the shade or sitting in wet dirt. Keep your cactus healthy, and spray off mealybugs with water if you see them.

Spider mites also dislike being sprayed. They’re tiny mites more closely related to spiders than insects. Spray the stems daily until the mites disappear, and take care not to overwater the roots during the process.

Diseases

Root rot is the most common condition of this cactus, especially for potted plants indoors. First, ensure your cactus has sufficient light. Give it good drainage, and wait to water until the dirt dries completely. 

If signs of root rot occur, hold back on watering. Remove any mushy portions and see if there are any healthy green stems left. Take cuttings of the healthy stems as a backup, and nurse the rotting plant back to health with infrequent water and six or more hours of direct sunlight. 

Frequently Asked Questions