1Soehrensia formosa (Pfeiff.) Backeb.
- Taxonomy
- Family: Cactaceae · Genus: Soehrensia9
- Plant type
- Succulent, perennial cactus. A solitary or clumping plant that grows from a rounded to columnar form.
- Native distribution
- South America: Bolivia, northwestern Argentina, and northern regions of Chile. The Kew distribution database marks these areas as natural occurrences.
- Natural habitat
- It lives in the high-altitude, dry, and semi-arid regions of the Andes. It occurs on rocky slopes and stony hillsides, typically at altitudes above 3000 meters.
- Height / growth form
- It grows solitary or forms clumps. Its body develops from a rounded to a columnar shape, with a diameter of about 20–35 cm and a height of up to 1.5 meters. Its ribs are blunt, and its spines are yellowish-reddish in color.
- Flowering period
- Its flowers appear around the tip of the shoot. They are yellow, approximately 6–8.5 cm long. The reliably verified source does not specify exact flowering months.
- Growth & dormancy period
- The high-altitude climate of its natural habitat experiences significant seasonal temperature and precipitation fluctuations. Verified phenological data regarding the species' exact growth and dormancy periods is not available.
- Ecology
- A succulent plant adapted to high-altitude, dry environments. The water-storing stem and dense, strong spines aid in adaptation to drought and intense sunlight. In its natural habitat, the plants are also affected by high-altitude weather and snowfall.
- Synonyms
- 2
5 synonyms
- Echinopsis formosa
- Echinocactus formosus
- Lobivia formosa
- Acanthocalycium formosum
- Trichocereus formosus
Echinopsis formosa, synonym Soehrensia formosa, is a species of Echinopsis found in north-western Argentina, Bolivia and northern Chile.
Sources (13)
- Soehrensia formosa – GRIN Taxonomy
- Echinopsis formosa – Plants of the World Online · Synonyms
- Plant Lust (Ruth Bancroft Garden) – Echinopsis formosa
- Plant Lust (Ruth Bancroft Garden) – Echinopsis formosa
- Monaco Nature Encyclopedia – Echinopsis formosa
- Monaco Nature Encyclopedia – Echinopsis formosa
- Monaco Nature Encyclopedia – Echinopsis formosa
- Monaco Nature Encyclopedia – Echinopsis formosa
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy – Soehrensia formosa · Scientific name · CC BY 4.0
- Wikidata – Q109341549 · CC0
- Wikimedia Commons – Soehrensia formosa pm.jpg · CC BY 3.0
- Wikipedia (de) – Soehrensia formosa · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Wikipedia (en) – Soehrensia formosa · CC BY-SA 4.0
Automatic data comes from the open sources above, credited per their licences. Care experience is shown separately below.
Tips & experience from members
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How members water it
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How it thrives
Waterlow
Lightfull sun
Humidity–
Min. temperature0 °CJanuary
Only very rarely, a little water so the roots don’t dry out completely.
No feeding now.
Cool and bright, 3–10 °C: unheated room, stairwell, cold windowsill or frost-free greenhouse.
February
Only very rarely, a little water so the roots don’t dry out completely.
No feeding now.
Cool and bright, 3–10 °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.
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.
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.
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 5 °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
Only very rarely, a little water so the roots don’t dry out completely.
No feeding now.
Cool and bright, 3–10 °C: unheated room, stairwell, cold windowsill or frost-free greenhouse.
December
Only very rarely, a little water so the roots don’t dry out completely.
No feeding now.
Cool and bright, 3–10 °C: unheated room, stairwell, cold windowsill or frost-free greenhouse.
Grow in full sun or the brightest possible spot, in very free-draining soil. Overwinter cool (0–5 °C) and dry – this cold, dry rest stimulates flowering.
Cultivars of Soehrensia formosa
Soehrensia formosa – what to know
Soehrensia formosa – family: Cactaceae, genus: Soehrensia. Native range: South America: Bolivia, northwestern Argentina, and northern regions of Chile. The Kew distribution database marks these areas as natural occurrences. Care guidelines: light: full sun; water: low; min. 0 °C. One Perfect Plants Club member grows it (1 photos). It is not known to be toxic to cats or dogs.
All Soehrensia species in the catalog →Detailed toxicity data →
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water Soehrensia formosa?
Sparingly: let the soil dry out completely between waterings, and water even less in winter.
How much light does Soehrensia formosa need?
It needs plenty of direct sun – the sunniest window, or outdoors in summer, suits it best.
How cold can Soehrensia formosa get?
It tolerates brief, light frost (down to about 0 °C) but needs winter protection.
Is Soehrensia formosa toxic to cats and dogs?
It is not known to be toxic to cats or dogs.
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.
Who grows it?
Gallery
Questions about this species
Soehrensia
Data sources: GBIF.org – Soehrensia formosa (CC BY 4.0) · Wikidata – Q109341549 (CC0) · Wikimedia Commons – Soehrensia formosa pm.jpg (CC BY 3.0) · Wikipedia – Soehrensia formosa (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Care data is for guidance only.
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