Cleistocactus colademononis or formerly Hildewintera colademononis commonly known as the Monkey Tail Cactus, is a unique and visually striking plant that captivates with its long, cascading stems covered in soft, white spines. These spines give the cactus its distinctive "monkey tail" appearance.
This cactus is particularly suited for hanging baskets or high shelves where its stems can cascade downwards, creating a dramatic visual effect. Its bright red flowers, which emerge from the ends of the stems, add an extra splash of color to its already interesting form.
Native to: Cleistocactus colademononis is native to the Bolivian Andes, where it grows on rocky cliffs and in dry valleys. This environment has shaped its need for good drainage and high light conditions.
Water: Water your Monkey Tail Cactus sparingly. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings, typically watering every 2-3 weeks. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it is crucial to ensure that the pot has excellent drainage.
Light: This cactus thrives in bright, indirect light. It can tolerate some direct sunlight, particularly in the morning or late afternoon, but avoid intense midday sun, which can scorch the plant. A south or west-facing window is ideal.
Humidity: Cleistocactus colademononis prefers low humidity levels typical of its native arid environments. Maintain indoor humidity levels between 30% and 50%. High humidity is not necessary and can actually be detrimental to the plant.
Temperature: This cactus does well in typical indoor temperatures ranging from 18°C to 24°C. It can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures, but avoid exposing it to temperatures below 10°C. Consistency is key, as sudden drops in temperature can stress the plant.
Please note these plants often come with old breakage damage from the nursery (see image two). We will not issue refunds for this older damage.
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All plants are shipped using express next day services with DPD, UPS, Parcelforce and Royal Mail.
We offer economy shipping (3-5 day dispatch) and standard delivery (1-3 day dispatch).
For guaranteed next day dispatch please selected Express shipping at checkout available at an additional cost.
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Winter shipping is available in the winter months at an additional cost and includes heatpacks and thermal insulation where necessary.
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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.
