Polaskia chichipe, commonly known as the Chichipe, is a columnar cactus species that features distinctive ribbed stems with well-spaced areoles from which short spines emerge. This cactus grows slowly, forming tree-like structures over time, with branching typically occurring from the base or lower parts of the stem. Its green-grey stems can reach several metres in height in the wild but remain much smaller when cultivated indoors. During the growing season, it may produce small, creamy white to pink flowers, though flowering is rare indoors.
This cactus is a great choice for indoor cultivation due to its low-maintenance needs and resilience in dry conditions. It thrives in containers, growing upright with minimal care and providing a striking architectural appearance. Its slow growth and compact form make it easy to manage inside the home.
Native to: Polaskia chichipe is native to the dry, semi-desert regions of central Mexico, specifically in the states of Puebla and Oaxaca. It grows in rocky, arid areas where water is scarce, which shapes its adaptation to drought conditions. This region's climate is characterised by extreme temperature shifts, contributing to the cactus's hardiness in a variety of environments.
Water: This cactus prefers very sparse watering. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings, and reduce watering significantly in winter. Overwatering can quickly lead to root rot, so using well-draining soil is essential to mimic its natural habitat.
Light: Polaskia chichipe requires bright, indirect sunlight to full sun indoors. A sunny windowsill or a spot near a south-facing window is ideal. It can tolerate some direct sun, but too much can cause scorching, so ensure light is diffused during the hottest part of the day.
Humidity: This species thrives in low-humidity environments, typically around 30-50%. Humidity above 50% is not necessary and could increase the risk of fungal issues. It does not require any additional humidity, making it perfect for most indoor conditions.
Temperature: Polaskia chichipe prefers warm temperatures, ideally between 18-27°C. It can tolerate short drops in temperature but should be kept above 10°C to avoid cold damage. In colder months, maintaining stable indoor temperatures is key to its continued health.
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All plants are shipped in their plastic nursery pot unless otherwise stated.
Plant pot sizes can fluctuate +/- 1cm.
We recommend to always size up your decorative pot by 1-2cm larger than the stated plant pot size. For example if you are purchasing a 12cm plant, you should purchase a 14cm decorative pot to ensure it will fit correctly.
We pride ourselves on the love and care with give our plants. Our entire team are plant obsessives at heart and so we go above and beyond to care for the plants we have in stock.
That said, plants are living beings and may differ slightly from the photo provided unless otherwise stated. Small leaf imperfections may be present and won't be compensated for. Some plants such as Begonia may suffer slight leaf melt when shipped. This is normal and nothing to be concerned about.
All our plants are stores and/or grown in our nursery under LED lighting. The conditions in our nursery are a minimum of 60% humidity and 19C year round.
