As its common name suggests, thiscactushas a unique brain-like appearance with a compact and rounded growth habit.
In cultivation, the brain-like appearance has to be induced using manual methods.
Several hours of bright, direct light every day is ideal.
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Indoors, this is best achieved in front of a south-facing window or under a grow light.
Commercialcactus and succulent mixesare perfect, or you might make your own at home.
Water
The brain cactus issensitive to overwateringand should be allowed to dry out thoroughly between waterings.
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Overwatering is one of the fastest ways to kill it, so underwatering is always better than overwatering.
Cut back on watering in the winter when the plant is not actively growing.
Excess humidity can be just as damaging as overwatering.
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These factors make it an excellent houseplant since average household temperature and humidity levels are ideal for it.
Fertilizer
Cacti generally dont require a lot of fertilizer, and the brain cactus is no exception.
It can benefit from extra nutrients during its active growing period (spring and summer).
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Propagating Brain Cactus
Propagating brain cactus can be a bit tricky due to its unique growth pattern.
This plant does grow offsets, which can be removed and potted separately.
However, they usually have theMammillariaelongatasstraight growth pattern rather than the ‘Cristatas’ characteristic brain-like appearance.
Be sure to choose another variety ofMammillaria elongatato graft your brain cactus.
Potting and Repotting Brain Cactus
Brain cactus should be repotted once it outgrows its old container.
Choose a pot that is only 2 to 4 inches wider than its previous container.
However, two main ailments to watch out for are mealybugs and root rot.
Mealybugsare small, fuzzy white bugs congregating in a plant’s crevices.
They can spread quickly and are difficult to get rid of.
On the other hand,root rotis almost always a result of overwatering.
It can be challenging to catch and even harder to store your plant from.
Common Problems With Brain Cactus
Brain cacti are hardy and generally problem-free.
However, there are a few ailments to watch out for.
Taking action as soon as you notice any issues is crucial.
Examine your plant closely to determine the root cause of the spots.
The brain cactus is native to Mexico where it grows naturally in the hot desert climate.
Brain cactus is a relatively rare form ofMammillaria elongata.
Determining why your plant was dying will help ensure the issue does not occur again.
