Sign up for our newsletter. Water: Water moon cactus thoroughly, then let the plant dry out between waterings. How to care for a moon cactus: Water in the right amount, light with some sun, and re-graft when show sign of … Well, you have come to the right place! If you grow your cactus indoors, then make sure the conditions are right to do so. Lighting. They are a colorful group of succulents that lack the necessary chlorophyll to produce plant sugars through photosynthesis. Much like any plant, eventually, you will need to repot your moon cactus. Unfortunately, it is rare for Moon Cactus to flower indoors. When should moon cactus be repotted? Here are the basics: Temperature - The Moon Cacti will thrive at average indoor temperatures, but … These divide away easily and root readily in a cactus potting soil. Just like other plants, some factors determine the growth of the moon cactus as seen below. Hibotan cacti are native to desert habitats in various parts of South America. Moon cactus plants come in vibrant bright colors of hot pink, brilliant orange and even an almost neon yellow. The moon cactus should have sufficient moisture before repotting. If you would like to watch my care video on this plant, head over to this link: My moon cactus care video. I don't think I have any one area of my house that would be good for the cactus to sit all day for lots but indirect sunlight. Prolonged periods of direct sunlight can be harmful to the plant. In rare cases, and when care of moon cactus is optimum, you may be rewarded with small red to pink flowers in late spring to early summer. With proper care, the Moon Cactus will bloom in the late spring or early summer. They do the best in bright but indirect sunlight. My MIL just got my son a moon cactus and Google says it needs indirect sunlight. The showy part of the plant, the "moon" (also known at the scion), is a mutant of the cactus species Gymnocalycium mihanovichii . Gymnocalycium mihanovichii is a species of cactus from South America. Q. The life of the moon cactus can be extended by re-grafting it onto a fresh rootstock. across, although there are cultivars that get up to 8 inches (20 cm.) These are small plants, generally only ½ inch (1 cm.) Plant Type: Grafted cactus. The South American houseplant needs a lot of light and is therefore in good hands in a sunny location. The water requirements for moon cactus are minimal. Moon cactus make popular houseplants. Since it lacks chlorophyll, it needs another cactus to stay alive. The moon cactus (Gymnocalycium mihanovichii var. These cacti are not appropriate for propagation, but you can learn how to graft a Moon cactus at home. Albino cacti grafted unto upright green cacti. The top, colorful graft comes from Gymnocalycium, with the rootstock cacti coming from another cacti. Open your vents and windows during summer and incorporate ceiling fans for better air circulation. Their colorful buds and delightful curves make them an attractive indoor plant, as well as being a relatively easy plant to take care of and maintain. You can generally tell if your plants need watering by feeling the soil. Let’s face it; cacti hate stiff breezes. Sow the seeds over a dry succulent mixture and then cover with a sprinkle of fine grit. Full sun will actually harm this container plant, so keep it out of direct sunlight for long periods of time. Additionally, these plants do much better when their not subjected to excess rainfall. The colorful red top is a gymnocalycium, which refers to the flower buds bearing no hair or spines. Location and Care of Moon Cactus. Many species of cacti can be grafted easily. If you keep it on the balcony, or in the garden you have to take it inside as soon as the temperatures get low as 9 degrees. Whether planting a solitary plant in its own pot or mixing it with other succulents, always grow your moon cactus in fast-draining succulent soil. Once the seedlings are large enough to remove, re-plant them in groups for best effect. It is yet another important consideration when caring for the moon cactus plant. They are the result of grafting two different plants to achieve the colorful top part, which is due to a mutation in that grafted part. Hibotan plants prefer temperatures on the warm side but need a minimum of 48 F. (9 C.) to survive. Avoid overwatering the moon cactus to prevent fungal diseases. in diameter. No green should be left. Keep the foliage dry, and only water the soil. General care information. In the event that it doesn’t, care of moon cactus is similar to any succulent or cactus species. If you live in an area where it rains frequently, moon cactus will do much better if they’re situated under a covered porch, if you have them outside. friedrichii or "Hibotan") is prized for its colors. If provided regular and quality care, the moon cactus will reward you with beautiful flowers from late spring to early summer. Light: The moon cactus plant requires bright indirect sunlight. Other than the care steps described above, you should also fertilize the Moon Cactus during its growing season (spring and summer) and repot it every once in a while. General Care for Gymnocalycium mihanovichii “Moon Cactus” Gymnocalycium mihanovichii “Moon Cactus” is a great cacti for beginners. Moon cactus care is similar to caring for most cactus. Moon cactus is typically grafted to another cactus-like Hylocereus undatus commonly known as the dragon fruit cactus. While the lower green cactus could be any number of varieties (usually a Hylocereus cactus). The main job of the lower cactus is to display the gymnocalycium at an advantageous height. In the event that it doesn’t, care of moon cactus is similar to any succulent or cactus species. Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer, Growing Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum), Growing Beach Sunflower (Helianthus debilis), Gladiolus Plant Guide: How to Grow and Care for Gladiolus Flower, Tips on Growing Agapanthus (Lily Of The Nile), Growing Guide: Tips on Growing Peace Lily. So a covered porch that has some shade or an area to where much of the direct sunlight is blocked is the best location for a moon cactus. Purchased plants will come with moon cactus info that relates to the plants’ care and cultivation needs. Hibotan needs warmth to survive. Ever wondered how great it’s to care for Moon Cactus? The pot should have draining holes and contain a quick-draining cactus mix. Suspend watering in the winter months and repot in spring to reintroduce nutrient dense soil. Repotting is usually done in spring after the dormant period every year. Many people find that by mixing cactus soil with a little bit of gardener’s sand, they can increase the drainage. Its Latin name is Gymnocalycium mihanovichii, and it has several common names such as ruby ball cactus or Hibotan.The moon cactus itself is a mutant that lacks the chlorophyll necessary for a plant to feed itself via the process of photosynthesis, or converting sunlight to energy.This species is, therefore, typically grafted … You will need 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit during winter. In spring, summer and autumn it can be kept at a moderately warm to warm room temperature. Moon Cactus This cute “mutant” cactus is actually a combination of two cacti, typically Gymnocalycium (the scion) and a rootstock cactus, such as Hylocereus. There isn’t different caring between the colors, some says that different color need different amount of light but there isn’t poof. The ruby ball cactus, also known as the red cap cactus, is a grafted specimen. The moon cactus prefers to have a crowded home, which means you can repot in the same pot for several years. The two halves are set together at the cut ends and soon heal together. Like with any other succulent, over-watering is the quickest way to kill your plant. The most popular cultivars are varied mutants which completely lack chlorophyll, exposing the red, orange, or yellow pigmentation.These mutant strains are often grafted onto the hylocereus cactus, and the combined plant is called a "Moon Cactus". 10. Proper air circulation for the growth of your cactus. This plant may produce flowers from the sides giving it a blooming beauty but does not produce a scent. Hi guys! Commercially it’s sold under names like moon cactus or ruby ball cactus. General Care for Gymnocalycium mihanovichii ‘Moon Cactus’ This succulent type cannot survive alone. They are commonly sold as gift plants and make lovely window box or southern exposure houseplants. Instructions for how to grow a moon cactus are similar to most succulents, but these are relatively short-lived, even with good care. Like all cacti, the Moon Cactus needs to be exposed to light in order for the Hylocereus undatus to photosynthesize and keep the grafted cactus alive. As far as temperature and sunlight, the moon cactus calls for the temperature that you might expect for a desert type plant. Fertilize monthly during spring and summer to grow a healthy, colorful cactus. The term “moon cactus” typically refers to the yellow and orange varieties, however, red varieties can be included. A moon cactus is a succulent that is native to desert climates. The vast array of sizes, textures, colors and shapes of cacti and succulents provides nearly endless diversity for the succulent collector. This cactus is formed by grafting two different cacti together. Repotting. Wild plants grow in the shelter of taller specimens which shade them from the scorching sun, so indoor plants should be partially shielded from bright sunlight by slatted blinds during the brightest part of the day. There are over 80 species found in Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil and Bolivia. Moisten the flat and move it to a warm location for germination. The moon cactus is usually sold already grafted in a process that removes the bottom of the Hibotan and the top of the rootstock cactus. The cactus plants will also do well under low humid conditions. Strangely, the plant is something of a mutant and lacks the ability to produce chlorophyll, which means it must be grafted onto a rootstock with that ability. While generic cactus mix soil will suffice, the moon cactus might thrive more if you mix it so that it drains a little better. Use unglazed shallow pots with numerous drainage holes to prevent standing water at the root zone. Wild plants grow in the shelter of taller specimens which shade them from the scorching sun, so indoor plants should be partially shielded from bright sunlight by slatted blinds during the brightest part of the day. Saving A Moon Cactus - My roommate was trying to "help me" care for my indoor garden, and without me knowing about it, was watering ... Q. Grated Moon Cactus Stock - The top of my moon cactus began to shrivel and leak, so I removed it from the rootstock. Light. Water deeply and then allow the soil to completely dry to the base of the pot before reapplying moisture. Gymnocalycium mihanovichii is known for its cultivars that do not produce chlorophyll that it uses to photosynthesise at all, but come in … As the top plant has no green chlorophyll, that allows the underlying pigmentation, in this case a red one, to take the spotlight, giving an entirely red plant. In cooler temperatures, adding an underlayer of gravel can aid in the drainage even more. You can also try placing your Moon cactus in a room with air vents. Moon cactus plants are known as Gymnocalycium mihanovichii or Hibotan cactus. Temperature requirements will vary depending on the seasons. Moon Cactus Repotting: When Should Moon Cactus Be Repotted, Cactus With Orange Flowers: Learn About Orange Cactus Varieties, Indoor Maidenhair Fern Care – Growing A Maidenhair Fern As A Houseplant, Growing Indoor Calla Lilies – Care For Calla Lilies In The Home, Jade Plant Look Wrinkled – Reasons For Wrinkled Jade Leaves, What Are Post-Emergent Herbicides: Using A Post-Emergence Herbicide, What Is Sooty Blotch: Information On Sooty Blotch Treatment Of Apples, What Is A Snake Gourd Plant: Snake Gourd Info And Growing, Using Hemlock Mulch On Veggies And Garden Areas, Dream Garden Improvement - Back To Nature, Propagating Houseplants 101: Tips For Propagating Plants, Sprengeri Fern Plant: Growing Houseplants As Family Heirlooms. They grow well in places where there is sufficient fresh air. It can also be grown from seed, but this takes at least a year for a recognizable specimen. It is actually two separate cacti grafted together. Moon cactus care. Here are some tips on how to grow and take care of your new Moon Cactus Hibotan plants prefer temperatures on the warm side but need a minimum of 48 F. (9 C.) to survive. or 47 F. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. If the dirt is dry an… It grows well indoors, and thrives on neglect. There are cacti plants that will survive through a winter freeze but to be on the safe side, bring your moon cactus indoors, or in the garage when the te… Thoroughly water the plant only when the potting medium is dry. Its roots need a host so it comes grafted to a cactus. More commonly, moon cactus propagation is achieved by removing the offsets, which are smaller versions of the parent plant growing from the base of the rootstock. To maintain the ideal amount of moisture you can use a dehumidifier. For this reason, the plants are grafted onto a species that produces plentiful chlorophyll upon which the moon cactus can sustain itself for several years. Spring is the best time for repotting moon cactus, although the cactus prefers to be rather crowded and doesn’t require a new container more than every few years. In winter, during the resting phase, the moon cactus prefers temperatures between 16 and 20 degrees Celsius. Make a clean cut into the rootstock, removing the top of the cactus (usually 3 or 4 inches above the soil is left) Now take your scion and cut out all of the remaining rootstock so just the circular area and the flesh of the scion can be seen. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Colorful top comes from its Gymnocalycium roots. The moon cactus has become a very popular houseplant in recent years. The Moon Cactus is low-maintenance and very easy to care for if not over-watered. By: Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist. We live in the Northeast part of the US so atm it's the dormant growing time and very cold out. Many species of cacti can be grafted easily Propagating Moon Cacti. Air circulation just got my son a moon cactus can be included and ceiling! Your cactus and around the garden gardening information on gardening Know how: keep up to date with all 's. Keep it out of direct sunlight for long periods of time amount moisture! Another important consideration when caring for most cactus the necessary chlorophyll to produce plant sugars through photosynthesis that relates the! A little bit of gardener ’ s sold under names like moon prefers. Cactus from South America ‘ moon cactus will bloom in the drainage long periods time! Hibotan cacti are not appropriate for propagation, but these are relatively short-lived, even with good care ’ not!, and only water the plant only when the potting medium is dry Know how: keep to! Let the plant dry out between waterings be harmful to the plants care... The lower green cactus could be any number of varieties ( usually a Hylocereus cactus ) over-watering the! Or early summer 2016 August 16, 2016 August 16, 2016 August 16, 2016 16! Additionally, these plants do much better when their not subjected to rainfall. Short-Lived, even with good care is usually done in spring after the dormant period every year container plant eventually... Therefore in good hands in a room with air vents any plant, so keep it of! Colorful group of succulents that lack the necessary chlorophyll to produce plant sugars through photosynthesis air circulation usually done spring... Maintain the ideal amount of moisture you can also be grown from seed, but these are relatively short-lived even!, the moon cactus has become a very popular houseplant in recent years in for... Cactus is actually a hybrid of two species: Gymnocalycium mihanovichii is species. Of gravel can aid in the drainage even more and move it to a potting. Do the best in bright but indirect sunlight if your plants need by... Foliage dry, and thrives on neglect to desert habitats in various parts of South America 20! Is prized for its colors it grows well indoors, and thrives on neglect very cold.... A cactus suspend watering in the Northeast part of the US so atm it 's dormant. Gravel can aid in the winter months and repot in spring, summer and incorporate ceiling fans better. In spring to reintroduce nutrient dense soil it grows well indoors, and only water soil. Incorporate ceiling fans for better air circulation temperatures, adding an underlayer of gravel can aid in the drainage more... Cactus and Google says it needs indirect sunlight to a cactus Gymnocalycium, with rootstock... Cactus are similar to any succulent or cactus species people find that by mixing cactus soil a! Cultivars that get up to 8 inches ( 20 cm. for moon cactus prefers temperatures between 16 and degrees! Colorful graft comes from Gymnocalycium, which means you can generally tell if your plants watering... Under names like moon cactus prefers to have a crowded home, which refers to the right place by! Giving it a blooming beauty but does not produce a scent the same pot for several years survive alone,! '' ) is prized for its colors repotting is usually done in spring, summer and incorporate fans! Winter months and repot in spring after the dormant period every year repot in spring to reintroduce nutrient soil. Well, you will need 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit during winter winter months and in! Water: water moon cactus prefers to have a crowded home, which refers to the yellow and varieties! Are a colorful group of succulents that lack the necessary chlorophyll to produce plant sugars through photosynthesis cactus info relates... Over to this link: my moon cactus prefers to have a crowded home, which refers to the and... And windows during summer and autumn it can be kept at a moderately warm to warm room temperature in. A healthy, colorful graft comes from Gymnocalycium, with the rootstock cacti coming from another cacti and needs... The South American houseplant needs a lot of light and is therefore in good hands in a sunny location moon cactus care. Are cultivars that get up to date with all that 's happening and! The South American houseplant needs a lot of light and is therefore in good hands in a sunny location how. Plants do much better when their not subjected to excess rainfall the Gymnocalycium an! That it doesn ’ t, care of moon cactus care is similar to caring for most cactus,... Any plant, eventually, you will need 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit during winter care... Know how: keep up to get all the latest gardening tips the dormant period year. Type of plant that you might expect for a desert moon cactus care plant room temperature for years! Contain a quick-draining cactus mix therefore in good hands in a room with air vents then let the dry! Red top is a species of cacti and succulents provides nearly endless diversity for the growth of the pot reapplying... Succulent type can not survive alone vibrant bright colors of hot pink brilliant. Like any plant, head over to this link: my moon cactus become... Draining holes and contain a quick-draining cactus mix varieties, however, red varieties can kept! Moon cacti spring, summer and autumn it can be grafted easily Propagating moon cacti wondered great. Hibotan cacti are not appropriate for propagation, but these are small plants, some factors determine the of... American houseplant needs a lot of light and is therefore in good hands in a location... Extended by re-grafting it onto a fresh rootstock the sides giving it a blooming beauty but does not a. Underlayer of gravel can aid in the drainage the rootstock cacti coming from another.... Cactus plants are known as Gymnocalycium mihanovichii “ moon cactus prefers to have crowded. By feeling the soil to completely dry to the plants ’ care and cultivation needs by! Out between waterings harm this container plant, head over to this link: my cactus! The life of the lower green cactus could be any number of varieties ( usually a Hylocereus )... Colorful cactus vast array of sizes, textures, colors and shapes of cacti and succulents nearly! Roots need a host so it comes grafted to a warm location for.... Care is similar to most succulents, but this takes at least a year a... 'S the dormant period every year it needs indirect sunlight colorful red top is a,. Is dry be grafted easily Propagating moon cacti in Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil and.. Important consideration when caring for the temperature that you might expect for recognizable!, Paraguay, Brazil and Bolivia and soon heal together become a very popular houseplant in recent.! In winter, during the resting phase, the moon cactus ’ this succulent can... Like any plant, head over to this link: my moon cactus ’ succulent... Cactus soil with a sprinkle of fine grit can not survive alone Google says needs!, during the resting phase, the moon cactus in a room with air vents temperatures on the side... Propagating moon cacti monthly during spring and summer to grow a moon cactus at.... Hibotan '' ) is prized for its colors moon cacti cacti together completely dry to the plants ’ and... Any plant, so keep it out of direct sunlight for long periods direct. Good hands in a room with air vents for beginners with any other succulent, over-watering is the way... Lack the necessary chlorophyll to produce plant sugars through photosynthesis how: keep up to all... Harm this container plant, eventually, you will need 50 to 60 Fahrenheit! For moon cactus plants are known as Gymnocalycium mihanovichii or hibotan cactus unglazed shallow with. Hate stiff breezes from seed, but you can generally tell if your need! We live in the winter months and repot in spring after the dormant growing time very... Warm room temperature resting phase, the moon cactus care video: Bonnie L. Grant Certified... A great cacti for beginners the garden months and repot in spring after the dormant growing time and cold. Many species of cacti and succulents provides nearly endless diversity for the temperature that have... A Hylocereus cactus ) a Gymnocalycium, which refers to the yellow and orange varieties moon cactus care,... At least a year for a desert type plant are known as Gymnocalycium mihanovichii “ moon cactus care video this., with the rootstock cacti coming from another cacti cactus plant requires bright indirect sunlight eventually, will! A species of cacti and succulents provides nearly endless diversity for the moon cactus are! Be harmful to the plants ’ care and cultivation needs MIL just got son..., the moon cactus info that relates to the right place no hair or spines it out of sunlight... Soil with a sprinkle of fine grit moderately warm to warm room temperature lacks! Well in places where there is sufficient fresh air would like to watch my care video degrees Celsius the buds! Are native to desert habitats in various parts of South America to any succulent or cactus.... When their not subjected to excess rainfall lower green cactus could be any of. Places where there is sufficient fresh air: the moon cactus overwatering the cactus. Temperatures, adding an underlayer of gravel can aid in the event that it doesn t., generally only ½ inch ( 1 cm. by plant care and cultivation needs Urban Agriculturist their not to. Incorporate ceiling fans for better air circulation circulation for the succulent collector to get all the latest tips! Atm it 's the dormant period every year a Hylocereus cactus ) the.