Lady Finger Cactus
Location
Cactus & Succulent Garden
- Common Name: Lady Finger Cactus (other common names: Kopper Lady Fingers)
- Scientific Name: Mammillaria elongata ‘Copper King’
- Family Name: Cactaceae
- Origin: Central and SW America – Mexico
- Height: under 6”
- Width: 6” – 9”
- Growth: quickly (spreading)
- Zone: 9B – 11
- Light Needs: Sun – Partial shade
- Salt Tolerance: unknown
- Soil/PH/Texture: prefer a cactus potting mix or a slightly acidic soil of around 6 pH.
- Soil Moisture: Minimal water needs, check regularly but do not over water to avoid rot root, make sure there is good drainage. (In winter months cut off watering)
- Drought Tolerance: High
- Pests/Diseases: No serious pests or diseases but is susceptible to rot root if overwatered. Watch for mealybugs and aphids.
- Growing Conditions: easy to grow and low maintenance
- Characteristics: This cactus plant is sometimes called ‘Lady Fingers’ because of its showy, copper colored, long finger-like stems, and star-shaped harmless spines. Its blooms are pale yellow – cream/tan – pink and appear in late winter – mid spring.
- Propagation: by seed, offshoots, or woody stem cuttings (allow the surface to callous over before planting)
- Wildlife: unknown
- Facts: unknown
- Designer Considerations: not used so much as a landscaping plant but as groundcover or a low spreading plant in a garden bed. It is more commonly used as a potted plant or in a hanging basket for the patio, and it also makes a great houseplant.
