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Melocactus
Melocactus sp.
Origin: Caribbean, Central and South America
₹200.00 per plant
15 available
A ribbed, spiny globe that grows a woolly red 'cap' (cephalium) on top when mature, where its flowers appear. A classic tropical cactus that loves heat.
- Grows a woolly red cap when mature
- Loves heat; suits Indian climate
- Strong ribbed globe
Melocactus, the Turk's cap cactus, is a ribbed, globe-shaped cactus with strong spines. When it reaches maturity it stops growing in size and instead produces a woolly, bristly 'cap' called a cephalium on its top, from which small pink flowers and red fruits appear. It comes from hot, tropical regions and enjoys warmth, which suits Indian conditions well, but it dislikes cold and wet soil.
Light
Bright light with plenty of sun; it is one of the more sun-tolerant cacti.
Watering
Water when dry; it likes warmth but not wet roots.
Soil & Pot
Gritty mix: about 60–70% mineral (coarse river sand, pumice or perlite, brick chips) and 30–40% coco peat or compost. Terracotta pot with a drainage hole.
Monsoon Care
Keep under a roof or in a bright room from June to September. Water only when the mix is bone dry, and keep air moving around the plant.
Temperature
Keep warm. Protect from cold nights below 15°C, which can cause damage.
Feeding
Quarter-strength cactus fertiliser (low nitrogen) once a month, February–May and October–November. None during monsoon and peak summer.
Watch Out For
Rot in cold, wet conditions; mealybugs on roots and in the cap.
Live arrivals are shipped Monday–Wednesday with insulated, temperature-aware packaging to ensure safe transit. We offer a live arrival guarantee — contact us via WhatsApp within 2 hours of delivery for any concerns.