San Pedro Monstrose

More about San Pedro Monstrose

There is a reason for the ‘monstruosus’ word at the end of its name. This cactus is a bit of an odd one when it comes to growth. Unlike the ‘normal’ San Pedro cactus (Echinopsis pachanoi), the ‘monstruosus’ variety is known for its aberrant growth patterns which can never follow the more even regularity of its ‘normal’ counterpart. While the ‘normal’ San Pedro would present a star shape when cross sectioned, the ‘monstruosus’ variety will always present slightly different shapes. You never really know what your cactus is going to look like with the ‘monstruosus’ type. When it comes to height, however, both the cacti can reach heights that go from 3 to 6 meters. As for the chemical composition, both also have about the same amount of active components.

If you are new to growing cacti, the San Pedro cacti are probably a good choice for you. They tend to be slightly more enduring and able to take harsh environmental conditions. San Pedro cacti are originally from the Andes Mountains, so low temperature is not too much of an issue. At temperatures lower than 5 °C, however, the cactus does start feeling a bit cold, so make sure to always keep it at temperatures above that! As for water and sunlight, you should make sure to have it planted in well-drained soil and to not leave it under direct sunlight. Both overwatering and too much sunlight can be damaging to your cactus.