Peruvian Old Man Cactus 4 Branch 24 in - Espostoa Lanata | CactusWarehouse
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Peruvian Old Man Cactus 4 Branch 24 inch Espostoa Lanata (One of a Kind)

$279.95

Plant facts

SunlightFull sun
WaterLow water. Only when soil is fully dry
USDA zones9,10,11, hardy to about 20F
Mature sizeThis clump is about 24 in tall and 14 in across today. In habitat Espostoa lanata slowly becomes a branched column 6 to 12 ft tall. In a container it stays a compact hairy clump for many years. Approximate, may vary.
Time to matureSlow. Adds a few inches per stem per year in full sun. Flowering size is usually reached at 3 ft or more when the woolly cephalium forms. Approximate, may vary.
PetsNon-toxic to pets, Non-toxic to cats, Non-toxic to dogs
LivesOutdoors
Ships asRooted plant, bare root, no pot or soil

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What to expect in the box
You will receive the exact four-branch Espostoa lanata pictured, freshly dug, shipped rooted and bare root without soil or a pot. After arrival: unbox with thick gloves, the spines are sharp. Let the plant rest in a shaded, dry spot for 2-3 days, then plant in a sandy, fast-draining mix or a gravelly full-sun spot. Wait about a week before the first watering so the roots can settle, then begin a normal soak and dry routine. Some scuffing of spines in transit is normal and does not harm the plant.

Cacti can look slightly dull after a few days in a dark box. Color returns within a week or two of bright light. If your area drops below 40F, we recommend adding a heat pack to your order, as one is not automatically included.

This is the exact plant you will receive. A one of a kind Espostoa lanata, the Peruvian Old Man Cactus, growing as a four-branch clump with the tallest stem about 24 inches. Three branches stand in the open and a fourth, shorter one sits tucked behind them. Every stem is wrapped in the dense white hair this species is famous for, with straw-gold spines poking through, and the crowns are thick and tight from years of full desert sun.

Espostoa lanata comes from the dry Andean slopes of Peru and Ecuador, where the hair shields it from harsh sun and cold nights. Most Old Man cacti sold online are single stems in small pots. A rooted, sun-hardened clump with four branches is something you build over years, not something you buy in a nursery.

Field dug and shipped rooted. Plant it in fast-draining mix in full sun, wait about a week before the first watering, and keep the hair dry by watering at the base.

  • Light: Full sun
  • Water: Low. Soak and dry, minimal in winter
  • Hardiness: USDA zones 9 to 11, protect from hard freezes
  • Growth: Slow, branching from the base with age

Please note: This is a rooted, bare-root plant shipped without soil or a pot. You will receive the exact plant pictured.

Cold Weather Warning

If your area drops below 40°F during the colder months, we highly recommend adding a heat pack to your order, as we don’t automatically include one. This helps keep your plants safe in transit. 🌡️❄️

👉 [Buy Heat Packs Here]

Product Details

Cactus Care

Espostoa lanata is a tough, slow Andean cactus. Give it heat, sharp drainage and a dry winter, and keep water off the wool.

  • Light: Full sun. At least six hours of direct sun keeps the hair dense and white and the stems tight.
  • Water: Soak and dry. Water deeply, then let the soil dry completely before watering again. Nearly dry in winter. Water at the base, not over the wool.
  • Soil: Sandy, fast-draining cactus mix, or a gravelly landscape bed on a slope or mound.
  • Temperature: Hardy in USDA zones 9 to 11. Tolerates a light frost when dry; protect below about 25 F.
  • Feeding: A diluted cactus fertilizer once or twice in spring and summer is plenty.

Shipping & Guarantee

At Cactus Warehouse, we take pride in shipping the healthiest, hand-selected cacti straight from our nursery in Fallbrook, CA. All our cacti are hardgrown and carefully checked to ensure you get the best.

  • Schedule: Standard orders ship within 5 business days, on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday. Priority Processing (added in the cart) ships on the next ship day.
  • Delivery Time: Most orders arrive within 3–5 business days once shipped.
  • Rates: Free shipping and a free Golden Barrel on orders $99+ (Continental US). Orders under $99 ship for a flat $9.95.
  • Carriers: We ship via UPS and USPS with full tracking

  • Safe Packaging: Each cactus is wrapped in protective kraft paper to reduce movement. During cold weather, you have the option to add heat packs to keep your plants safe.
  • Care Instructions: Every package includes simple, step-by-step care instructions so you know exactly what to do after arrival.
  • 30-Day Happiness Guarantee: If your cactus doesn’t arrive healthy and happy, we’ll make it right. Email us at info@cactuswarehouse.com and we’ll take care of you.

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