The monkey tail cactus is an unusual plant with long, hairy stems that branch toward the bottom of the pot. As it adds a rare beauty to your collection, you must learn how to care for it.
The monkey tail cactus is a unique plant that’s easy to care for. This succulent will thrive when given indirect sunlight, slightly acidic soil, and a good watering schedule. Keep an eye out for infestation by spider mites, mealybugs, and scale.
If you’re thinking of adding a monkey tail cactus to your home, you may wonder what it takes to keep the plant healthy and thriving. In this article, I’ll go over general care tips for your monkey tail cactus so you can help it grow healthy.
What Is a Monkey Tail Cactus?
The Monkey Tail Cactus, also known as the Hildewintera colademononis, is a unique and interesting cactus that is native to the countryside of Bolivia.
The Monkey Tail Cactus can grow up to two feet long and its stems are covered in dense white or light brown hairs that give it a soft and furry appearance. The cactus has small, round spines that are mostly hidden by the hairs, making it relatively easy to handle.
In the spring and summer, the Monkey Tail Cactus produces bright pink or purple flowers that emerge from the tips of the stems. The flowers are small but vibrant and can add a pop of color to your cactus collection.
The Monkey Tail Cactus is a popular houseplant that can be grown in a pot with well-draining soil and placed in a sunny location. It is a slow-growing plant, but with proper care, it can live for many years and become a fascinating conversation piece in your home.
Ideal Growing Conditions for a Monkey Tail Cactus
The monkey tail cactus, is a good choice for beginner plant owners. This beautiful cactus got its name from its long drooping appearance resembling a tail and the little spikes resembling fur. It’s relatively easy to care for when grown in the right conditions.
The Monkey Tail Cactus Prefers Indirect Light
Despite its preference for indirect light, the monkey tail cactus can handle some direct sunlight, too. Additionally, this cactus needs to be watered, but you must make sure that excess water can be drained. Planting it in well-drained soil and a flower pot with drainage holes will do the trick.
It Needs Soil With Slightly Acidic or Neutral pH Levels
When it comes to soil pH, the monkey tail cactus thrives best in slightly acidic or neutral pH levels. According to Plantophiles, a pH level of 5.5. to 6.5 is the best range. Temperature-wise, this cactus does better in warmer temperatures but can live through colder conditions if it has to.
It Has Shallow Roots That Require Top Dressing
The roots of this cactus don’t burrow deep and will remain close to the top. To provide protection, you can put mulch on top of the soil.
Furthermore, the monkey tail cactus’ shallow roots don’t require a deep flower pot. You’ll only need this kind of pot if the cactus is outgrowing it. When putting the monkey tail in a flower pot, find a potting mix meant for cacti to facilitate its overall health.
Hanging Flower Pots Are Excellent for Monkey Tail Cactus
Hanging flower pots are great options for the monkey tail cactus because as it grows, the “tails” will exceed the length of the flower pot.
You can keep your potted monkey tail outside on your porch or deck as long as the environmental conditions are acceptable. If the weather fluctuates too much, keep your cactus inside.
How To Care for a Monkey Tail Cactus
Aside from the ideal conditions for growing a monkey tail cactus, here are a couple of pointers to keep in mind to ensure your succulent grows healthy:
1. Give It Just Enough Water
Some may think cacti barely need water. This is a misconception: Although cacti don’t need to be watered daily, you must water them at least a few times a month.
Unlike regular cacti with long roots stretching far into the soil, the monkey tail cactus’s root system consists of shallow and dense fibers near the surface of the soil. This allows easy access to water and nutrients from below. There’s no need to soak them in water so the roots can pull water from the bottom.
Your monkey tail cactus needs to be watered every six weeks during the hot summer months but will only need to be watered about every eight weeks during the winter. The timing can vary depending on where you live and how high or low the temperatures are in that area.
According to MasterClass, a good rule to go by is to make sure the soil dries out in between waterings. Doing so will prevent overwatering and underwatering.
Signs of an Overwatered or Underwatered Monkey Tail Cactus
If you’ve overwatered your cactus, you’ll see physical signs such as:
- Stems turning brown
- Swollen or puffy stems
- Stems not grounded in the soil
When there’s excess water in your cactus, the stems can become swollen or puffy because the excess water needs a place to go. Water will seep into the stems, causing a swollen appearance.
According to a Medium article by Jennifer Mittler-Lee, if the stems aren’t stable in the soil and they appear loose, the soil is too moist to hold the cactus in place.
If you underwater your cactus, you’ll see physical signs such as:
- Shriveled leaves and stems
- Turning brown
Knowing whether a cactus is overwatered or underwatered can sometimes be tricky. In both instances, they turn brown. So, when you notice a color change, take a look at other physical signs to find out what’s happening.
2. Eliminate Insects That Can Harm Your Monkey Tail Cactus
Mealybugs, spider mites, and scale are common insects that will try to make a home out of your monkey tail cactus. They can cause stunted growth, discoloration of the leaves, and even death.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are tiny white bugs that attach themselves to indoor plants, sucking nutrients out of the leaves and stems. At first, mealybugs won’t cause too much harm, but as the infestation worsens, they can cause leaves to curl and turn yellow.
According to Planet Natural, mealybugs lay 300 to 600 eggs that hatch a few weeks later. The egg sack will be on the underside of a monkey tail’s stem and might be hard to see at first glance. Additionally, they produce a sticky substance that covers the cactus.
You can prevent mealybugs infestation and kill them by spraying isopropyl alcohol directly on them. Commercial insecticides, such as the BioAdvanced 3-In-1 Insect, Disease and Mite Control (available on Amazon.com), can also eliminate mealybugs, and this brand in particular doesn’t easily wash away in the rain.
Spider Mites
Spider mites may be small in size, but these reddish-brown bugs can inflict great damage on houseplants. Because they’re so small, it’s hard to find them before the infestation becomes severe.
You’ll see patches on your cactus where the spider mites are sucking out liquid and nutrients and tiny, thin webs between the stems. Shriveling and stems falling off might result from this.
Spider mites can sometimes be resilient towards insecticides. An excellent way to get rid of them is to cut off the infested plant parts. You can trim the stems or leaves taken over by the spider mites.
An insecticide you could try is the Mighty Mint Plant Protection Peppermint Spray (available on Amazon.com). It’s safe to use and provides complete protection for your plants. Not all spider mites are resilient to insecticides, so it’s worth a shot if you’re dealing with a severe infestation.
Scale
Scales are small, flat, round insects that rob your cactus of its nutrients and sap. Monkey tail cacti with scale infestation will appear as if they have cotton on them. As the infestation grows, your cactus will have crusty, scaly-like stuff that can be scraped off.
If you ever notice this change in appearance, address the scale infestation immediately. Scales can eventually kill your cactus.
According to Gardenine, one of the best ways to get rid of the scales is to use a mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle. Spray onto the scales, wait for a few moments, and scrape off what you can. Repeat this process weekly until the scales are gone.
Monkey Tail Cactus FAQs
Yes, the Monkey Tail Cactus likes full sun and thrives in bright, indirect light.
It is important to protect the cactus from direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day, especially in the summer months. You can do this by placing the cactus in a bright, sunny window or outdoors in a spot that receives morning or afternoon sun. Overall, providing plenty of light while protecting it from the hottest sun will help ensure that your Monkey Tail Cactus stays healthy and grows well.
The Monkey Tail Cactus is considered rare, however, it has become increasingly popular as a houseplant and is now more widely available through nurseries and online retailers.
While it may not be as common as some other cactus species, it is not considered extremely rare or endangered.
The Monkey Tail Cactus can be grown both indoors and outdoors, depending on the climate and growing conditions.
As a native of the countryside of Bolivia, it is adapted to cool, high-altitude conditions, so it prefers bright, indirect light and cool temperatures. In warmer climates, the Monkey Tail Cactus can be grown outdoors in a spot that receives partial shade and protection from hot afternoon sun.
Final Thoughts
The monkey tail cactus is a great beginner indoor plant. It will stay healthy as long as you care for it.
This cactus needs indirect light and a watering schedule that changes with the seasons. You must water your cactus from the top instead of letting it soak up water from the bottom.
Additionally, because the monkey tail’s roots stay close to the surface, it needs mulch top dressing as an extra layer of protection.
Lastly, keep an eye out for mealybugs, spider mites, and scale infestations.
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