Say it: hil-deh-win-TAIR-uh koh-lah-deh-moh-NOH-nis. Common names: monkey tail cactus. Also listed as Cleistocactus colademononis; the species name is Spanish for “monkey's tail.”
Where it grows
Steep cliffs in the Santa Cruz region of Bolivia, where the stems hang straight down the rock faces.
Size and growth
Soft, pendent stems covered in long white hair-like spines, growing from a few inches to 6–8 feet long over the years. Fast for a cactus: a cutting can add a foot or more in a season. Stems branch from the base into a thick, shaggy clump.
Flowers
Bright red tubular flowers along the stems in spring and summer, often repeating. Hummingbirds visit them. Plants flower at a young age — often within a few years from seed.
Care
- Light: bright light to full sun; too little light makes thin, pale stems.
- Water: more than most cacti in warm weather, less in winter.
- Soil: well-draining but with some organic matter.
- Cold: tolerates a light frost briefly; best kept above about 30°F.
- Where to grow it: hanging baskets, wall pots, or trailing over a ledge. Give the stems room to hang.
From seed
Easy. Germination in 7–14 days, and seedlings grow quickly. Our seed comes from our own plants, including a super-furry hybrid line with extra-dense white hair.
Monkey Tail seeds · Super Furry Hybrid seeds · Monkey Tail cuttings