Peanut Cactus

Echinopsis chamaecereus

Family
Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)
Genus
Echinopsis (ek-in-OP-sis)
Species
chamaecereus (kam-ay-KER-ee-us)
Synonym
Chamaecereus silvestrii
Chamaecereus sylvestrii
Cereus silvestrii
Lobivia silvestrii
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Height
under 6 in. (15 cm)
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
Spacing
6-9 in. (15-22 cm)
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color
Red
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Can be grown as an annual
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From woody stem cuttings
Allow cut surface to callous over before planting
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds
Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Camp Verde, Arizona

Chandler, Arizona(2 reports)

Glendale, Arizona

Hesperia, California

Pittsburg, California

Lakeland, Florida

Las Vegas, Nevada

Villas, New Jersey

South Jordan, Utah

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

2
positives
1
neutral
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
C
C
Camp Verde, AZ (Zone 8a) | November 2007 | positive

Peanut cactus and some of the cultivars of such are hardy here to the mid teens but need some shade from our intense sun here at 3000ft.

X
Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9b) | July 2007 | neutral

The flowers are red-orange and red. This plant is often mistaken for Echinopsis silvestrii because of the recent taxonomic changes.

P
Acton, CA (Zone 8b) | November 2006 | positive

Common small cactus with finger-like columns and red flowers, often produced in prolific quantities. As cactus ages, eventually columns ...Read More

Featured
Fringed Tulip 'Joint Devision'
Beetle
(Harmonia axyridis)
Little Blue Heron
(Egretta caerulea)
Featured
Fringed Tulip 'Joint Devision'
Beetle
(Harmonia axyridis)
Little Blue Heron
(Egretta caerulea)