0How it thrives
Waterlow
Lightfull sun
Humiditylow
Min. temperature5 °CJanuary
Don’t water – dry winter rest. Slight shrivelling is normal.
No feeding now.
Cool and bright, 5–12 °C: unheated room, stairwell, cold windowsill or frost-free greenhouse.
February
Don’t water – dry winter rest. Slight shrivelling is normal.
No feeding now.
Cool and bright, 5–12 °C: unheated room, stairwell, cold windowsill or frost-free greenhouse.
March
Gentle start: the first small drink once you see buds or new growth and it warms up.
First weak dose at the end of the month if it is actively growing.
The sunniest window (south or west).
Move it somewhere brighter and warmer and end wintering. Get it used to strong sun gradually.
If roots fill the pot: fresh soil, a pot 1–2 cm larger. Water sparingly for a week afterwards.
April
Deeply, but only once the soil is completely dry.
Cactus fertiliser once a month at half strength.
The sunniest window (south or west).
If roots fill the pot: fresh soil, a pot 1–2 cm larger. Water sparingly for a week afterwards.
May
Deeply, but only once the soil is completely dry.
Cactus fertiliser once a month at half strength.
Best outdoors: sunny balcony, terrace or garden – acclimatise it to full sun gradually.
After mid-May (last frosts) it can go outside – keep it in partial shade for the first 1–2 weeks to avoid sunburn.
It flowers next month – once you see buds, don’t move it any more.
June
Deeply, but only once the soil is completely dry – more often in heatwaves, preferably in the evening.
Cactus fertiliser once a month at half strength.
Best outdoors: sunny balcony, terrace or garden – acclimatise it to full sun gradually.
It usually flowers now – don’t turn or move it, and log the bloom in your diary!
Above 35 °C, shade it at midday to prevent sunburn.
July
Deeply, but only once the soil is completely dry – more often in heatwaves, preferably in the evening.
Cactus fertiliser once a month at half strength.
Best outdoors: sunny balcony, terrace or garden – acclimatise it to full sun gradually.
It usually flowers now – don’t turn or move it, and log the bloom in your diary!
Above 35 °C, shade it at midday to prevent sunburn.
August
Deeply, but only once the soil is completely dry – more often in heatwaves, preferably in the evening.
Cactus fertiliser once a month at half strength.
Best outdoors: sunny balcony, terrace or garden – acclimatise it to full sun gradually.
Above 35 °C, shade it at midday to prevent sunburn.
September
Deeply, but only once the soil is completely dry.
No feeding now.
Best outdoors: sunny balcony, terrace or garden – acclimatise it to full sun gradually.
Bring it in when nights drop below 10 °C. Check for pests first.
October
Taper off gradually: very little by the end of the month.
No feeding now.
The sunniest window (south or west).
Move it to its cool, bright winter spot and taper off watering. Log it with one click in the Care hub.
November · now
Don’t water – dry winter rest. Slight shrivelling is normal.
No feeding now.
Cool and bright, 5–12 °C: unheated room, stairwell, cold windowsill or frost-free greenhouse.
December
Don’t water – dry winter rest. Slight shrivelling is normal.
No feeding now.
Cool and bright, 5–12 °C: unheated room, stairwell, cold windowsill or frost-free greenhouse.
Slow growing; the golden barrel only flowers once it reaches 30–40 cm across.
Cottontop cactus – what to know
Cottontop cactus (Echinocactus polycephalus) belongs to the Cactaceae family (genus Echinocactus) and is listed in our catalog under “Cactus”. Its needs – light: full sun; water: low; humidity: low. Keep it above 5 °C – it is frost-tender and needs a frost-free spot in winter. Rest period: dry winter rest. Typical flowering time: June, July. Easy enough for beginners. It is not known to be toxic to cats or dogs. Nobody on Perfect Plants Club has added it to their collection yet – be the first!
All Echinocactus species in the catalog →Detailed toxicity data →
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water Cottontop cactus?
Sparingly: let the soil dry out completely between waterings, and water even less in winter.
How much light does Cottontop cactus need?
It needs plenty of direct sun – the sunniest window, or outdoors in summer, suits it best.
How cold can Cottontop cactus get?
Keep it above 5 °C – it is frost-tender and needs a frost-free spot in winter.
Is Cottontop cactus toxic to cats and dogs?
It is not known to be toxic to cats or dogs.
When does Cottontop cactus flower?
Typical flowering time: June, July.
What members’ data shows
When does it really bloom?
No blooms logged yet. If yours flowers, your data will be the first!
Average watering interval
Not enough watering logs yet. Waterings logged in the care hub feed this chart.
Tips and questions about this species
Echinocactus
Care data is for guidance only.
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