This sun-loving succulent will thrive and produce the juiciest fruits with our Peruvian Apple Cactus Care and Growing Guide!
This South American indigenous staple is an extraordinary nocturnal bloomer with the sweetest fruits ever! Cherished for centuries for its culinary and medicinal features, as well as its handsome structure, this easy-grower has made a home for itself across the world. And we will help you welcome the phenomenal Peruvian apple cactus into yours!
Peruvian Apple Cactus—Key Facts
| Botanical Name | Cereus repandus |
| Common Names | Giant club cactus, Hedge cactus, Cadushi, and Kayush. |
| Origin | South America |
| Height | 30-34 m |
| Indoor/ Outdoor | Both |
| Soil | Cactus mix |
| Temperature | 60-75F (15-24C) |
| Watering | Occasional and Deep |
| Sunlight | Bright, indirect light |
| Flowers | White Flowers |
| Blooming Season | Summer and autumn |
Peruvian Apple Cactus Information
Also called the “giant club” cactus, this massive succulent with long ribbed stems can grow up to 30-34 m. But that’s not all! Emerging like a diva in the dark, it produces big, fragrant white flowers that open at night, attracting various nocturnal pollinators like bats and moths!
As if that weren’t enough, we have gathered here today for its luscious fruits! Called pitaya by locals, the Peruvian apple is a small to medium-sized fruit with a purple-magenta outer cover. Once ripened, the juicy and crunchy flesh is white or pink with black seeds. Mildly sweet and tart, this fruit is also rich in vitamins C and A, and fiber.
This drought-resistant cactus is a real trooper, surviving in hot and arid areas and indoors! Without further ado, let’s jump into our Peruvian Apple Cactus Care and Growing Guide!
Propagating Peruvian Apple Cactus
You can grow this cactus using stem cuttings or seeds. However, softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings will multiply faster, and you won’t have to buy seeds then!
Pick a healthy, mature, plump stem that’s 3-4 feet long and full of ribs. Then, cut out a 6-10 inch piece from its top. Allow it to form calluses under bright, indirect light for a day or two before you plant it.
Now, take a pot and fill it with a potting mix suitable for cacti and succulents. Here are some good soil recipes. Plant the cutting about 1-2 inches deep into the potting mix.
Add a stake or some pebbles around the base of the cutting for support since these tend to be quite large. Once it’s planted, give it a good misting with water and keep it in a sunny place.
Once settled, water only when the soil feels completely dry. In a few weeks, the cutting will form roots and start growing into a new Peruvian apple cactus plant. When you notice the roots, transplant the cactus seedling into a bigger container or directly into the ground in your garden.
Requirements for Growing Peruvian Apple Cactus
Light
The Peruvian apple cactus is like other cacti and needs bright light. If you’re growing it indoors, find a window that gets a lot of direct sun for most of the day. Outdoors, full sun works well. However, under extreme heat, give it some afternoon shade to prevent it from burning.
Soil
Like most succulents, these juicy desert dwellers do not like soggy feet, so well-draining soil is critical! For a medium with good aeration, mix two parts of a light and airy cactus mix with one part of perlite or pumice.
Watering
Watering your Peruvian Apple cactus is all about mimicking a desert downpour—it has to be occasional and deep, and then you need to let things dry out completely.
Indoors, water it until it flows out of the drainage holes, and then let it dry. If necessary, water once every week or two. The same is true for outdoor cultivation. If your area gets regular rainfall, ensure it dries up, or give it shelter.
Temperature
These cacti thrive in temperatures of 60-75F (15-24C). Surprisingly, they are also quite frost-tolerant, surviving dips as low as 32F (0C) for a short while.
However, prolonged freezing winters can be damaging, such as those experienced in USDA Zones below 9. Just take your cactus indoors and keep it warm through harsh cold.
Peruvian Apple Cactus Care
Fertilizer
If you follow the soil mix above, they will thrive long without a fertilizer boost. However, occasionally, feed them a balanced cactus fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season. Avoid this in fall or winter.
Look for an NPK ratio of around 10-10-10 or 20-20-20. Avoid fertilizers that are high in nitrogen, as they will make your plant dense but compromise flowers and fruits in the process.
Pests and Diseases
With too much watering and root rot, Peruvian apple cactus encounter pests like snails, slugs, and mealybugs. To tackle mealybugs, use neem oil or carefully remove them using cotton swabs soaked in rubbing alcohol. As a rule, avoid overwatering. Plus, you can also look at the signs and solutions if your cactus is dying.
Harvesting Peruvian Apple Cactus
You’ll have to be patient with this stunning cactus, as it will take a few years before your Peruvian apple cactus starts flowering and fruiting. But it’s surely worth the wait!
Harvest the fruit 2-3 months after the flowers fade. It should feel plump and may start to open slightly. Gently twist and pull the fruit towards you to remove it easily.
