San Pedro Cactus – Echinopsis pachanoi

R250.00

Note: Some plants may have some insect damage that has naturally healed.

Add to Wishlist
Add to Wishlist

Description

The stems of the San Pedro Cactus are light to dark green or bluish with 6-8 ribs. The whitish areoles on the stems may produce up to seven yellow to brown spines, each up to 2 cm long. However, they are typically shorter in cultivated varieties, and sometimes they are mostly spineless. The plant usually grows 3-6 m tall and has multiple branches extending from the base, but they will emerge around broken branches. The tallest recorded specimen was 12.2 m. After fertilization, the plant produces oblong dark green fruits that eventually burst open to reveal a white flesh filled with small seeds.

Family:

Cactaceae

Genus:

Common Name(s):

San Pedro Cactus

Mature Size:

6 meters in height

Origin:

Ecuador & Peru

Dormancy:

Flower Colours:

White (Nocturnal)

Bloom Season:

Spring - Summer

Sun Exposure:

Full sun - Partial shade

Watering:

Every two weeks in Summer
Only enough to prevent shrinking in Winter

Temperatures:

18 - 27 °C

Toxic:

No

The San Pedro cactus has been used for spiritual healing and traditional medicine for over 3,000 years in the Andes Mountains, treating conditions ranging from inflammation to mental health issues. It is known as huachuma, achuma, wachuma, and aguacolla.

The San Pedro cactus contains the second-highest concentration of mescaline, an alkaloid with psychoactive effects. The cactus is used in controlled, ritualistic ceremonies for spiritual guidance and healing.