Echinopsis subdenudata, also known as the easter lily cactus, is a round cactus with tiny spines and fuzzy areoles. It’s appreciated by both beginners and more experienced cactus lovers for its easy care and absolutely stunning flowers. This cactus makes a great addition to any succulent collection!
Keep reading for everything you need to know about Echinopsis subdenudata care and growing this cactus in your own home.
| Name(s) (common, scientific) | Easter lily cactus, domino cactus, Echinopsis subdenudata |
| Difficulty level | Easy |
| Recommended lighting | Direct sun |
| Water | Let dry completely |
| Soil type | Well-draining |
Echinopsis subdenudata care
Echinopsis subdenudata is mostly naturally found in Bolivia. Here, it doesn’t grow in the open desert as we might expect. Instead, you can find it in mountainous areas and on hillsides. As usual, this gives us some good care indications to keep in mind.
Unlike cacti that grow in very arid desert habitats, Echinopsis subdenudata likes regular waterings during Summer. Other than that it’s still a typical cactus, so that means well-draining soil and plenty of sun are the keys to a healthy plant.
Echinopsis subdenudata light & temperature
Light
Like most cacti, Echinopsis subdenudata grows in areas that naturally receive a lot of sun. This means they will appreciate similar conditions in the home, so during Summer try to find the sunniest possible spot for this cactus. The sunnier the better.
It can be tempting to place cacti in a dark spot to cheer up your home a little, but that won’t work for this plant.
Tip: Cacti like this one will really appreciate being able to spend the summer outdoors. They’ll grow much better when they can take full advantage of the sun! In warmer climates, you can keep them outdoors year round, otherwise you should take the plant back inside during fall.
Temperature
Echinopsis subdenudata can handle both high and low temperatures quite well and is not fussy at all. As low as 50 °F/10 °C is not a problem and it should be able to handle even lower temperatures as long as the soil is kept completely dry.
This cactus likes to go dormant during the Winter months and should ideally be moved to a colder area during this time. If possible, move your Echinopsis subdenudata to a colder (but not freezing) location such as a garage from late Autumn to Spring.
Echinopsis subdenudata soil and planting
As with most cacti, the number one rule for Echinopsis subdenudata is that its roots should never be left standing in water. The succulent planting guide contains more information on proper soil and planters for succulents, although it basically comes down to this:
- Wet feet can cause root and stem rot very quickly and this will often prove fatal, so soil should be chosen accordingly. A very light, airy and well-draining mixture is needed to keep this cactus happy and healthy.
- Mixing your own cactus soil is not difficult at all. The only things you need are potting soil and gritty materials such as perlite, pumice and sand with a large grain size.
- A good basic mixture would be 40% potting soil, 40% perlite and 20% coarse sand, although you can always play with the amounts. Just make sure there’s at least 50-60% grit in there to help the water flow through as quickly as possible. Some cactus growers actually skip the potting soil entirely!
- Once you have the soil figured out, it’s time to find a planter. Again, the most important thing here is drainage, so be sure to use pots with drainage holes.
- Terracotta pots such as these work best, as they also allow water evaporation through the porous sides.
Watering Echinopsis subdenudata
Many people think all cacti need very little water and should be left totally dry for months at a time. Although this is true in some cases, Echinopsis subdenudata actually loves regular waterings during the growing season, more so than most of its desert cousins.
During Summer you can water your Echinopsis subdenudata as soon as its soil has gone dry, which probably amounts to once a week or maybe once every other week.
Once you have moved your cactus to its colder Winter spot it will stop growing, which means it’s time to drastically cut back on the amount of water. Once a month or less is the way to go during the dormancy period!
Echinopsis subdenudata fertilizer
This cactus loves a little fertilizer during the growing season.
Some sources recommend a high-phosphorous fertilizer, others say high potassium, but if you’re not looking to achieve any specific goals (like maximum flowering) then any normal cactus fertilizer should probably work just fine.
Propagating Echinopsis subdenudata
Most Echinopsis subdenudata specimens will start to produce pups once they are old enough. Some will actually pup quite prolifically, and while you can leave these offsets on the mother plant you can also remove and replant them.
Just cut off one of the pups, let it callus for a few days if there is an open wound, and then stick it in the same well-draining soil mixture. It should start growing its own roots soon enough.
Buying Echinopsis subdenudata
Easter lily cacti, including Echinopsis subdenudata, are relatively common and you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding them.
If your local plant store or garden center doesn’t carry them, consider trying a cactus nursery.
Is Echinopsis subdenudata toxic to cats and dogs?
There doesn’t seem to be information out there about Echinopsis subdenudata specifically. The ASPCA considers its cousin, Echinopsis multiplex, to be non-toxic.
In any case, it would be a good idea to keep this cactus away from your pets (and children). Its spikes are tiny but touching them can still be a bit painful.
