Grow old man of the Andes in full sun, in a mix that drains, and water when the mix is dry. These plants are Oreocereus, woolly columns from the Andes. A tag that says old man cactus is often a Mexican Cephalocereus, not this plant.
Give it full sun, a mix that drains, and water when the mix is dry
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Full sun outdoors; a south window indoors, with some direct sun | Do not keep it on a dim shelf if you want a tight column and a thick hair coat |
| Water | In growth, soak when the mix is dry, then let the pot drain | Do not keep the mix wet between waterings, especially in winter |
| Soil | Gritty cactus mix with extra pumice or coarse sand | Do not use packed potting soil that stays wet |
| Warmth | Keep it frost-free; a cool, dry rest in winter | Do not leave it wet in a cold room or outdoors in frost |
old man of the Andes wants a bright sill or a patio table in full sun, and a mineral mix that sheds water. [1] Bright light also thickens the white hair, and the yellow-to-orange spines stay visible through it. While it is growing, water when that mix is dry, then empty the saucer. Keep the pot almost dry in winter. Soft tissue at the base is usually rot from a wet mix, not a missed watering. Start a new stem on How to Propagate Old Man of the Andes.
How do I care for old man of the Andes?
Give it full sun, a gritty mix with a drainage hole, and water only when the mix is dry. Keep it frost-free, and do not leave the mix wet in winter.
How often should I water old man of the Andes?
In summer growth, soak the mix when it is dry, then let the pot drain. In winter, keep it almost dry and water only if the body wrinkles hard.
When does old man of the Andes bloom?
Day flowers, in red or purple, may open near the stem tips on a mature clump. A cool, dry winter is still the rest that keeps the column tight.
Keep it cool and almost dry in winter
This cactus wants a rest, not a freeze. Bring the pot indoors before nights turn to frost. Keep it bright, and stop watering while the room stays cool. [2] A cool, wet mix in winter is what collapses the base. A windowsill rest that stays dry is safer than a wet porch.
Can old man of the Andes stay outdoors in winter?
Only where nights stay frost-free and the mix stays dry. In a cold garden, bring the pot in before frost, keep it bright, and water less until spring.
Grow it in an unglazed pot with a hole
The usual home is a pot, a bright sill, or a patio table, not a wet garden bed. An unglazed clay pot dries faster than plastic or glazed ware, and a snug pot with a hole dries faster than a wide tub. Empty the saucer. Wait to size up until the roots fill the pot.
- Choose an unglazed pot with a drainage hole, about an inch wider than the clump. Empty the saucer after you water.
- Fill it with cactus mix cut with pumice, coarse sand, or grit. Do not use packed houseplant soil.
- Wear gloves. Set the plant no deeper than it grew in the nursery pot. Firm the mix around the base without burying the stems in wet mix.
- Wait a week before the first watering so any nicks on the roots can dry.
- Wait to move it into a larger pot until the roots fill this one. A jump into a deep, wet tub rots the base.
Can I grow old man of the Andes in a pot?
Yes. Use an unglazed pot with a hole, a gritty mix, and full sun. Empty the saucer. It is not a dim indoor foliage plant.
Not old man cactus, and not Peruvian old man cactus
old man of the Andes is a clump of columns that branch from the base. Long white hairs cover the stems, and stout yellow-to-orange spines stick out through that coat, so handle it with gloves. [3] Old man cactus is Cephalocereus, a Mexican column with a shaggier hair coat and night flowers — see How to Grow Old Man Cactus.
Peruvian old man cactus is Espostoa, whose cottony wool sits closer to the body than this coat, with less obvious colored spines. [4] Shop tags may also say celsianus or trollii; those are other Andes columns with the same sun, grit, and dry winter, not extra kinds we carry. Golden barrel is a globe, not a hairy column — see How to Grow Golden Barrel Cactus.
Is this the same as old man cactus?
No. Old man cactus is Cephalocereus from Mexico. This plant is Oreocereus from the Andes, with colored spines showing through the hair and stems that clump from the base.
If the base goes soft, move the pot into brighter light, let the mix dry, and water only when the mix is dry. Bring it in before frost.
FAQ
Do I prune it?
You do not shape it like a shrub. Cut out a soft, rotting piece so the rest stays dry. New growth comes from the remaining stems.
Do I wash the hair?
Only if dust or splash has dulled it. Rinse gently, keep soapy water off the mix, and let the hair dry. Do not cut the hair off.
Is it safe around pets?
The yellow-to-orange spines under the hair still hurt. Keep pets from chewing or rolling on it.
Can I plant it in the ground?
Only where nights stay frost-free and the ground sheds water. In a cold garden, keep it in a pot you can bring in.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Monaco Nature Encyclopedia -
https://www.monaconatureencyclopedia.com/oreocereus-leucotrichus/?lang=en - [2] Llifle Succulent Encyclopedia -
https://www.llifle.com/Encyclopedia/CACTI/Family/Cactaceae/3824/Oreocereus_leucotrichus - [3] Wikipedia -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oreocereus_leucotrichus - [4] Wikipedia -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oreocereus
This note is part of Oreocereus Guides.
More first-season notes by plant are gathered in How to Grow Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors