Cleistocactus winteri subsp. colademononis
| Light | Bright light with some protection from harsh midday sun; tolerates a little more shade than most cacti |
|---|---|
| Water | Regular in the growing season, letting the mix dry between waterings; keep drier and cooler in winter |
| Soil | Fast-draining but not bone-dry mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; happiest in USDA zones 9b–11 |
| Propagation | Cuttings (very easy) and seed |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Cleistocactus winteri subsp. colademononis — universally known as the monkey's tail cactus — is a pendent, cliff-dwelling cactus from Bolivia whose long, trailing stems are smothered in soft, hair-like white spines. Draping over the edge of a pot in a shaggy, rope-like cascade, it is one of the most beloved hanging-basket cacti in cultivation and an easy, fast-growing member of the genus Cleistocactus.
Description
The stems of colademononis are slender, flexible and pendent, hanging rather than standing upright, and can lengthen to well over a metre in a happy, established plant. Each stem is thickly clothed in fine, soft, white bristle-like spines that lie close against the body and hide the green surface almost completely — the shaggy, tail-like effect that gives the plant both its scientific epithet (cola de mono, "monkey's tail") and its common name. Unlike many spiny cacti the bristles are soft to the touch, though the stems do carry a few slightly stiffer spines beneath the fluff.
In spring and summer mature stems produce vivid flowers that push straight through the woolly coat: bright red, tubular and comparatively large for the genus. The bright tubes stand out vividly against the white hair — a striking contrast that makes a flowering plant especially eye-catching.
Distribution and habitat
The plant is native to Bolivia, where it grows on steep rock faces and cliffs, its stems hanging down over the stone. This lithophytic, cliff-dwelling habit explains both its trailing form and its tolerance of slightly more frequent watering and a little more shade than desert-floor cacti — in habitat the stems catch moisture and enjoy some relief from the full force of the sun.
Its taxonomy has shifted over the years: it was long grown and sold as Hildewintera colademononis and as the standalone species Cleistocactus colademononis, and it is now most often treated as a subspecies of Cleistocactus winteri. All of these names refer to the same well-loved monkey's tail plant.
Cultivation
Colademononis is an easy and forgiving grower, which is a large part of its popularity. Give it a fast-draining but not overly lean mix and a position in bright light with a little protection from the fiercest afternoon sun. Because it hails from cliffs rather than baking flats, it appreciates more regular watering through the growing season than many cacti — water thoroughly, let the top of the mix dry, then water again — while still resenting soggy, airless compost.
The trailing habit makes it a natural choice for a hanging basket or a tall pot where the stems can spill freely; grown flat on a bench the stems simply sprawl. Reduce watering and keep the plant cooler and drier through winter to firm up growth and encourage flowering, and protect it from frost. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Propagation
The monkey's tail is very easily propagated from stem cuttings: a length of stem taken and allowed to callus for a few days before being set on a barely moist mix will root readily. This is the usual way growers share the plant and keep vigorous specimens going. It can also be raised from seed, though cuttings are quicker and produce a full, cascading plant much sooner.
Common problems
- Rot — the main risk, from overwatering or a mix that stays wet; stems soften and discolour, often from the base. Err toward sharper drainage rather than withholding water entirely.
- Matted, dirty coat — the dense soft spines can trap dust and debris over time, dulling the bright white; a gentle rinse freshens the appearance.
- Pests — mealybugs love to hide among the woolly spines where they are easily overlooked, and spider mites can bronze the stems. Inspect within the fluff periodically (see Pests and diseases).
See also
- Cleistocactus — the genus overview
- Propagation — cuttings · Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting · Pests and diseases