Say it: NOH-toh-cactus len-ing-HOW-zee-eye. Common names: golden ball cactus, lemon ball, yellow tower. Botanists now call it Parodia leninghausii.
Where it grows
Rocky hillsides of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil, a cooler, wetter region than most cactus country.
Size and growth
Starts as a golden globe, then stretches into columns up to 3 feet tall that cluster from the base. The soft, bristly golden spines are harmless to the touch. The growing tip leans toward the sun, giving old plants a tilted crown. Moderate growth and very forgiving.
Flowers
Lemon-yellow flowers 2 inches across in summer, once plants are about 6 inches tall. They repeat reliably each year.
Care
- Light: bright light to full sun; some afternoon shade in desert heat.
- Water: regular in summer, a little in winter. Tolerates more water than desert cacti.
- Soil: gritty with some organic matter.
- Cold: keep above about 25°F.
From seed
One of the easiest cacti to raise, germinating in 7–21 days and showing golden spines within months. Ideal for beginners.