San Pedro Cactus, also known as Echinopsis Pachanoi, is one of the most psychedelic, mysterious, and distinctive cactus plants. It’s believed that this plant spiritually enlightens you if you eat it because of its hallucinogenic properties.
Beliefs and superstitions aside, the best thing about the San Pedro cactus is that it’s extremely easy to grow in most climates. However, the temperate climate is where this plant grows the best.
As compared to other cactus species, San Pedro can withstand very low temperatures but requires free-draining and fertile soil. Let’s discuss everything you need to know about growing San Pedro cactus, including the best growing zone.
Table of Contents
San Pedro Cactus at a Glance
San Pedro cactus is one of the fastest-growing columnar cacti. It comes with green stems that sometimes appear grayish green or blue and it often has up to 8 ribs. The stems can have up to 6 inches of diameter and they can also reach a height of up to 3 meters.
It branches out right at its base and produces white flowers that open at night. The San Pedro cactus also produces fruits that come in dark green color with an oblong shape.
Nomenclature
- Scientific name: Echinopsis Pachanoi (also called Trichocereus pachanoi)
- Common name: San Pedro Cactus
- Synonyms: Tricheuocers peruvianus, Cereus pachanoi, annd Trichocereus pachanoi
Classification
- Genus: Echinopsis
- Tribe: Trichocereeae
- Subfamily: Cactoideae
- Family: Cactaceae
San Pedro Cactus Growing Zone
The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) hardiness zone of San Pedro Cactus is 8b to 10b. It grows best with minimum temperatures of 15 degrees Fahrenheit to 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
The USDA has defined the hardiness zones based on the capability of specific plants to grow. The 8b to 10b growing zone describes the ability of the San Pedro cactus to withstand the maximum and minimum temperatures.
Steps to Grow San Pedro Cactus
Step 1: Gather the Required Supplies
It’s important to have the right set of tools in order to grow the San Pedro cactus. You’ll need the following gardening tools for this purpose.
- Fertilizer
- Gardening gloves
- Trowel
- Potting soil
- A medium-sized (5 to 6 inches) plant pot
- Cactus potting mix
- Freshwater
All these supplies can be easily bought from your nearest gardening tools and plants store.
Step 2: Choosing the Soil
It’s critical to choose the right soil for the San Pedro cactus. The best option is to go with porous soil because it can drain quickly and easily. It’ll keep the roots of your San Pedro cactus from rotting.
The soil should also be dry, as most cacti including San Pedro grow in naturally drier environments. You can use the following materials to make your soil more porous:
- Pumice
- Gravel
- Sand
- Pearlite
Adding any of these materials to your soil mix will keep things suitable for the San Pedro cactus.
Step 3: Adding San Pedro Cactus to Pot
Once you have selected the right soil, the next step is to add it to the pot about halfway through.
- Use your trowel to even out the soil surface and add any of the additional materials (no more than 1/2-inch layer) discussed above to ensure drainage.
- Use your fingers to dig a hole (2 to 3 inches in diameter) right in the middle of the soil.
- Place the cactus carefully into the hole while wearing your gardening gloves.
- Pack the remaining soil tightly around your San Pedro cactus to cover its roots completely.
- Dampen the soil using freshwater. Make sure it doesn’t get sopping wet.
The San Pedro cactus will take about 4 to 6 weeks to get firmly rooted and then you’ll need to provide it with additional nutrients by adding fertilizer.
Step 4: Watering the San Pedro Cactus
San Pedro cactus usually only requires watering once per week. However, if you’re using seeds to grow the San Pedro cactus, you’ll need to water it twice a week until it grows out of the soil.
You can use a watering can to water your San Pedro cactus in a traditional way. But you’ll need to water the plant in sections throughout the week to make sure that the soil doesn’t get soggy.
One of the best ways to water San Pedro cactus is to fill your sink with water. Then place the pot with San Pedro cactus in the sink and let water seep into the soil. Remove the pot once the soil is damp fairly.
Bear in mind that you’ll need to stop watering your San Pedro cactus during the colder months (from October to April). Watering the San Pedro cactus during these months will make it go dormant and rot faster.
Soggy environments can cause bacteria to grow which can easily spread to your cactus within a matter of a day.
San Pedro Cactus Needs Plenty of Sunlight
San Pedro cactus naturally grows in deserts just like most other cacti and that’s why it needs a lot of sunlight. However, it’s important to keep in mind that you’ll need to introduce your young San Pedro cactus or seedling to sunlight very slowly.
Otherwise, the harsh sunlight will burn the plant and it’ll end up dying. First, place your young San Pedro cactus in an outdoor spot where it receives partial or reflected sunlight during the sunrise and sunset hours.
This way your young and fragile plant will not be subjected to the intense and harmful sun rays. Another great strategy is to place your San Pedro underneath the shade of other plants.
Once the cactus gets accustomed, you can place it in a spot that receives direct sunlight like near a porch or a window sill. At this stage, you’ll need to change your watering schedule.
The cactus will need water consistently but, in less quantity, as it will dry out faster because of the excessive heat. So, make sure that you water it in sections every week to keep it from drying out.
Is it Possible to Propagate San Pedro Cactus?
Soon, your San Pedro cactus will grow bigger and stronger and you’ll want to have more of these beautiful plants in your garden to add more character to your outdoor space. Luckily, it’s possible to propagate the San Pedro cactus but you’ll need to follow the right course of action.
By far, the most effective and efficient way to propagate the San Pedro cactus is to use cuttings. You’ll need the following items to get started with the propagation process.
- The right soil mix that offers quick drainage (you can add pumice to your soil)
- A towel or a piece of cardboard
- A sharp knife
Propagation Directions to Follow
Once you have all the required supplies listed above, you can follow the steps discussed below to propagate your San Pedro cactus.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to clean the knife carefully.
- Let the knife dry to make sure it doesn’t infect your new San Pedro cactus.
- Choose a flourishing and healthy piece of your grown San Pedro cactus.
- Cut it carefully to the desired length.
- Leave the piece you cut under the sun for a couple of days after covering it with a towel or a piece of cardboard. It’ll allow the San Pedro cactus piece to dry out so that it can take root easily in the new container.
- After a couple of days, the cactus piece will develop some color. You’ll see some tiny black, brown, or white spots on the piece. These little spots are called calluses and they signify that your San Pedro cactus piece is ready to be planted.
- You’ll need to discard the piece if you see moldy blue or green color because these colors mean that your cactus cutting has been infected. It happens because of moisture and that’s why it’s important to place the piece in a dry spot.
- If you don’t see any signs of mold, your cactus cutting is ready to be potted and you can follow the same steps discussed above to achieve that. Keep in mind that you’ll need to use a small pot since the cactus cutting will be small.
- After adding the cactus piece to the pot filled with porous soil, you’ll need to place it in a shady spot. Make sure that you don’t water the new plant for at least 2 weeks to allow it to grow its roots.
Allow The Cactus to Settle In
The cactus will get used to its new home and once it’s firmly rooted, start the watering process. You’ll also need to follow the same fertilizing method discussed to provide your new cactus with the required nutrients.
Common Diseases and Pests That Can Damage San Pedro Cactus
Just like most cacti, the San Pedro cactus is also vulnerable to some diseases and pests. Almost all the species that belong to Trichocereus are vulnerable to many fungal infections, and rotting of stems is one of the most common symptoms.
You might also need to deal with spider mites, root aphids, and mealybugs if you want to plant a San Pedro cactus. Using neem oil is one of the best ways to get rid of these pests. This oil is especially helpful if your San Pedro cactus is still young and has fallen victim to such pest attacks.
Conclusion
San Pedro Cactus is an easy-to-grow plant if you know the right environmental conditions it needs. The USDA hardiness zone for this plant is 8b to 10b and it requires adequate sunlight to thrive.
It’s important to follow the right steps to grow this plant and we hope this guide will help you to achieve the best results. Happy planting.