Parodia leninghausii

golden ball cactus

Freely pupping from base to make small clump. Upright stubby columns with many shimmering yellow flowers from the growth tip. Great in pots.

Height	1–3
Width	1–2ft
Tolerates	Heat, Pots
Water needs	Low (summer grower)
Most cactus are from the deserts of the world and as such like to go totally bone dry between waterings, making them very low-maintenance. If you see your cactus begin to shrivel or lose firmness, your cactus is likely totally dry and should be watered. To get good healthy growth your plant doesn't want to sit around totally dried out during it's growing season. Once it is dry, water it. This cactus comes from an area with summer rainfall and is actively growing during that time, when it is forgiving of overwatering errors. During winter dormancy it should be kept extra dry and won't tolerate overwatering. Remember that if kept in a small pot your plant will want more frequent watering.
Hardy to	25°F
Exposure	Full Sun
Plant traits	Armed, Cactus, Flowering
Indoor / outdoor	Outdoor
Drainage	In Ground: Cactus Mix, In Pots: Cactus Mix, Tolerates Sandy Soil
Fertilizing	All Purpose
Origin	Brazil
California native	No
Sunset zones	14–24

Growing Notes

When planting cactus it's often best to avoid the spines entirely. This can be done by cutting down each side of the nursery can and then peeling it open to expose the roots. This way you can hold the root ball while planting and you never need to touch the cactus. If the plant is tall and top-heavy, this often isn't an option. Wrapping such cactus in cardboard makes them more manageable.

While your cactus is out of the nursery can, but before it is planted, is the easiest time to weed right up near the lowest spines. Be sure to pull weeds early with heavily spined cactus, as once they are established they can be difficult to remove. Forceps can be helpful for this task.

You may find your cactus develops hard brown scabs that eventually cover the cactus, especially on older growth. This is called corking, and is the natural process of the cactus 'branch' becoming a cactus 'stump' and getting bark, just like trees do. Corking is totally natural and adds to the beauty of your cactus over time.

The above information reflects the observations of Grubb and Nadler and our extended plant community. We always consider input from fellow horticulturists and welcome feedback from those with additional information on the culture of this plant.

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