The diverse cactus family is not limited to the sun-worshippers of the deserts and the cold-sensitive leaf cacti of tropical rainforests. Some survivors cavort in the Andes up to 4500 meters altitude or high up in the North American mountains and are accordingly frost hardy. However, hardy cacti will not survive the Central European winter without special precautions. That's how it works.

The prickly pear tolerates frost

Hardy cactus species - an overview

They are few and far between, the really hardy cacti. We looked around at cactus experts and put together the following, proven hardy species for you:

  • Prickly pear species such as Opuntia phaeacantha, Opuntia fragilis or Opuntia rhodantha
  • Hedgehog columnar cacti, such as Echinocereus adustus, Echinocereus viridiflorus
  • Cylindropuntia imbracata, Cylindropuntia whipplei or Cylindropuntia kleiniae
  • Grusonia clavata syn. Corynopuntia clavata
  • Ball cacti such as Escobaria vivipara v. arizonica

On the other hand, you will look in vain for frost-hardy species among the cacti without spines, also known as leaf cacti. Here, the cold tolerance reaches its limits at 5 degrees Celsius at the latest.

Without the right preparation, the best frost hardness is useless

The cacti mentioned can only rely on their frost hardiness if they are given a phase of preparation from late summer. The focus is on water reduction, as the succulents freeze miserably with bulging reservoirs. How to do it right:

  • Plant hardy cacti in spring in a sunny, rain-protected spot
  • Enrich the earth with coarse-grained, inorganic materials such as expanded clay,(19.73€) lava gravel or pumice gravel
  • Water gradually less from August
  • From September the water supply will be completely stopped
  • Do not fertilize from autumn to spring

All water reduction measures are in vain if hardy cacti are exposed to permanent rain or snow. If no rain-protected location is available, a simple superstructure acts as protection against moisture. For this purpose, cover 4 wooden pegs with translucent, rainproof greenhouse film.(15.90€) Two open sides guarantee the necessary exchange of air.

tips

Don't worry if hardy cacti look shriveled, miserable and flat at the end of winter. It is precisely this strategy of shrinking that guarantees the cacti's survival in the Central European winter. If the water supply starts again with rising temperatures, the plants recover within a short time.

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Vegetable garden