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Leuchtenbergia principis is native to North Central Mexico, specifically the state of Chihuahua which borders Texas, and is also found a bit farther south in San Luis Potosi. The dried grassy looking spines at the ends of the tubercles provide a disguise in its native grasslands. This is mulch in the background but you get the general idea. The redish tips are a common look for the plant.
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It's not cold hardy so it goes inside for the winter. Like most cactus it prefers full sun and it should dry out between watering. It grows and flowers on a central stem and will spread slowly over time to look like these at Paul's Desert where I recently purchased mine.
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I've wanted one of these since seeing it on tour in 2011 right after I began blogging. It looked so good in the tall square pot that I'm currently shopping for something similar to show it off. This would be a great look for the front porch (minus the flag).
The tall pots were quite picked over at the nurseries this fall so for now it will stay in the nursery pot which makes it much easier to move around. Besides, I seem to have a tradition of not waiting to plant my favorites before featuring them.
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This cool looking, one of a kind Leuchtenbergia principis is my favorite plant.... this week.
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The tall pots were quite picked over at the nurseries this fall so for now it will stay in the nursery pot which makes it much easier to move around. Besides, I seem to have a tradition of not waiting to plant my favorites before featuring them.
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This cool looking, one of a kind Leuchtenbergia principis is my favorite plant.... this week.
Wow! That's an unusual and really cool plant. May you be happy together for many years to come!
ReplyDeleteWe will! There's the non-hardy issue but we've promised to work that out.
DeleteIt does look unusual for a cactus. And when I first saw it I thought it was an agave and when I've seen some recently again I thought they'd make for a good substitute/lookalike for the still rare Agave albopilosa.
ReplyDeleteThe A. albopilosa is cool too. Its native range is only a few hours drive away and it shouldn't be too long until it's more available.
DeleteNeat! I've never seen anything like it. Are the tips sharp like those on most agave?
ReplyDeleteThe tips are not sharp, the edges are a bit rough but it's pretty non-lethal as cacti go.
DeleteI can see why that's your favorite plant this week. I'm more and more fascinated by Cactuses as time goes by. That tall plant stand is fabulous, too!
ReplyDeleteShirley what a cute and unusual cactus. I love it in the tall green container. It reminds me of a sparkler on the 4th of July!
ReplyDeleteIf ever there was a plant made for a tall planter, this is one. Wouldn't it look adorable with ornaments hanging off it next year? I am looking forward to seeing where your currently on-the-road favorite cactus ends up.
ReplyDelete(I keep saying every year before the first cold snap that I WILL NOT BUY MORE COLD TENDER PLANTS. And then I do!)
Agree Deb, there seems to be an exception to every rule I make in the garden.
DeleteThat is a very interesting cactus. I have a small collection of cacti and succulents but never saw that one before. Thanks for the posting! Jack
ReplyDeleteIt's not rare but not that commonly found in cactus sales. They are great plants in a cold climate like yours since they can sit inside with little attention all winter.
DeleteOh this is a good one Shirley! It's such a crazy plant unlike anything else. I used to have two but now I'm down to just one...
ReplyDeleteI think it takes a Texan to love a plant like this-don't you? Or someone from Portland! It does look splendid in that tall pot.
ReplyDeletePlants like these took a while to grow on me but it's been fun learning to appreciate them.
DeleteThat one goes on the look-for list, because it is crush-worthy indeed. I love your example in that tall pot--beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading these comments I'll be on the search for the right pot.
DeleteI also think the tips, especially in the green pot, look like little fireworks explosions. Cute.
ReplyDeleteThose tips are just so different, I knew I had to have one. I do think they look like little fireworks.
DeleteI gotta try this one out, even though I can't pronounce the botanical name; it's almost local for El Paso! (3-4 hours away = local in TX or NM vernacular) The grassy leaf tips is one clever way to hide from the desert's evil rabbits. Can't wait to see your's in a pot...
ReplyDeleteIf the desert plant man has a challenge with this one, where does that leave the rest of us!
DeleteThose evil giant bunnies will eat everything.