Houseplants have grown in popularity. Although not all cacti are suited for life indoors, some are, does this include the totem pole cactus? This cactus species comes up a lot when gardeners want a challenge. Follow along to learn more about the totem pole cactus, including its origin, uses, and how to care for the succulent.
What is a Totem Pole Cactus?
A totem pole cactus is a tall and bumpy variety of Pachycereus schottii. This cactus is uncommon and is the mutated version of the Pachycereus schottii. Other common names for the original version are the senita or whisker cactus. Other synonyms for this uniquely shaped cactus include Cereus schottii and Lophocereus schottii. This tall and thick cactus is native to the southwest United States and northwest Mexico. This plant is made up of columnar stems with 5 to 10 ribs. It’s slow-growing but can reach about 15 feet tall in the right conditions and spread 15 feet wide. The plant also has many lumps and bumps but is spineless.
If you want to grow this plant outdoors, the best USDA zones are zones 9 to 11. Although this plant can develop root rot, it rarely suffers from pests and diseases. If you live in a cooler area, you can still grow this plant, but indoors or in a warm greenhouse. This type of cactus doesn’t like humidity and prefers warm and dry desert conditions.
The totem cactus can grow up to 15 feet tall and 15 feet wide.
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Colors of Totem Pole Cacti
There isn’t a lot of variation between totem pole cacti. Most have dull green to light green stems and branches. The flowers are light pink or white and produce tiny red edible fruits.
When Will My Totem Pole Cactus Bloom?
If you are caring for a totem pole cactus at home, it’s unlikely the small plant will flower. However, under the right conditions, your cactus should flower in early spring. The pink flowers open at night and last only a few days. Interestingly, the flowers of a totem pole cactus are sterile. The plant also doesn’t flower each year. When the cactus does flower, the buds emerge from long white areoles. Sometimes, there are about 6 flower buds in each areole.
Totem pole cactus flowers rarely emerge, but when they do, they bloom in spring at night.
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Caring for a Totem Pole Cactus
So, how do you care for a totem pole cactus? Is it any different from other cacti species? This sturdy slow-growing cactus is easy to grow and care for. Indoors, it can reach about 6 feet tall if you give it the right amount of water, sunlight, and nutrition. Follow along to learn more about this unique and highly sought-after cactus.
In the right conditions, a totem pole cactus can reach about 6 feet tall indoors.
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Water
A reason that many cactus plants die quickly is because of over-watering. It’s hard to underwater these drought-friendly plants, but too much water can cause root rot and attract pests. The amount also varies depending on the season. For instance, during summer and spring, the plant is actively growing. It’s also exposed to more sunlight, meaning it needs more water. You should only water your totem pole cactus once every 1 to 2 weeks or when the top layer of the soil is completely dry. The top layer is about 1 to 2 inches deep.
During winter though, the plant doesn’t get as much sunlight, so it takes longer for the water to disappear. You can get away with watering your totem pole cactus only once a month during winter since it’s the plant’s dormant stage. It’s also important to note that young totem pole plants need more regular watering compared to taller and mature cacti.
If you accidentally over-water your cactus, you can transplant the cactus into a new container with fresh soil. You can also pour water out if it’s sitting in a pan. Some containers come with a pan that reduces the need for watering but can accidentally drown the totem pole cacti’s roots. Signs your plant has too much water include mushy and leaky stems. The smell also changes and some cacti develop brown rotting spots on the stems or branches.
Sunlight
Totem pole cacti love bright sunlight. However, while this is true, you can still grow this drought-resistant cactus indoors. These sun-loving plants need about 6 to 8 hours of direct bright sunlight. The more light they receive, the larger and faster they grow. If you wish to grow your totem pole cactus indoors, it’s best to find a spot that receives light from a south-facing window. You can also use grow lights, but be careful to not place them directly under the light as the intensity of LED lights can burn the stems.
Nutrition
Adding fertilizer to your totem pole cactus can help it grow faster during its growing period. However, not all fertilizer works the same. Fertilizer and additional nutrients are also unnecessary during winter, as this is the plant’s dormant period. So, should you use fertilizer on your totem pole plant?
One of the best fertilizers to use is a cactus-friendly fertilizer. You only need a small amount. Liquid fertilizer is great if you are looking to only use fertilizer once a month. Use the fertilizer once a month during spring and summer, but lower the amount slowly before fall.
There are also slow-releasing cactus plant foods available. However, they take longer and are sometimes added to the soil when transplanting. The soil you use for your totem pole cactus may already have additional nutrients.
Totem pole cacti don’t need a lot of fertilizer, just a small amount once a month during their growing period.
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Soil
One of the most important things to know about caring for a totem pole cactus is choosing the right soil. Not all potting soils are made the same. Some are made for water-thirsty plants and fruit. If you choose the wrong soil or container, it can retain water, leading to root rot.
They need gritty well-draining soil. You specifically need cactus and succulent soil. However, when adding soil to a container, don’t pack the soil tightly. Air is needed to drain excess water. You must let your totem pole plants’ roots breathe. You can also make your potting soil by adding gritty materials like small rocks.
How to Propagate Totem Pole Cacti
Unlike other plants, you can’t grow them from seeds. The flowers are infertile. Instead, the plant grows through propagation. So if you have a large mature totem pole cactus, you can use its additional stems or branches to grow more plants.
The easiest way to propagate his cactus species is to cut small branches or stems with at least one areole. You must use a clean and sterile knife, especially if you are taking more than one cutting. If possible, slice the cuttings off at an angle and take more than one. This can improve your chances as sometimes the success rate is low if the plant is sick.
Once you have your cuttings, set them outside or somewhere dry and safe inside to dry. The cut end needs to heal, which takes about a week. After the end has dried, you can plant the cutting directly into cacti soil. Don’t water the plant immediately. Wait at least 2 to 3 weeks before checking if the plant is rooting. If you see roots, water gently. Too much water can kill the young.
