Stenocactus multicostatus

brain cactus
Small, solitary cactus with big, showy white, pink, or purple flowers, and profusion of ribs giving it a nickname of “brain cactus.“ Good in pots. Keep out of excessive winter wet. Occasional summer water.
Stenocactus multicostatusStenocactus multicostatus
synonyms Echinocactus multicostatus
height 2–6in
width 3–5in
tolerates Drought, Heat, Pots, Wind
water
needs		 Low
water
info		 Most cactus are from the deserts of the world and as such like to go totally bone dry between waterings, making them very low-maintenance. If you see your cactus begin to shrivel or lose firmness, your cactus is likely totally dry and should be watered. To get good healthy growth your plant does not want to sit around totally dried out during its growing season. Once it is dry, water it.

This cactus comes from an area with summer rainfall and is actively growing during that time, when it is forgiving of overwatering errors. During winter dormancy it should be kept extra dry and won’t tolerate overwatering.

Remember that if kept in a small pot your plant will want more frequent watering.
hardy
to		 24F
exposure Part Shade – Full Sun
indoor
outdoor		 In or Out
drainage In Ground: Cactus Mix, In Pots: Cactus Mix
fertilizing All Purpose
origin Northern Mexico
california
native		 No
sunset
zones		 12–24

Sunset Zones Map

SUNSET ZONES MAP

Growing Notes

As this plant grows in grasslands it will want shelter from hot midday sun in inland ares with high heat and low humidity. Great in full sun closer to the coast.
Typically this plant is only planted in pots or in very well drained rockeries.
Occasionally this plant can have multiple heads, though when you see potted specimens with multitudes of heads they are usually multiple seeded plants.