Cacti - Espostoa Melanostele

Espostoa melanostele – Soft-Spined Columnar Cactus | Rare Woolly Desert Specimen

Add a touch of Andean elegance to your cactus collection with Espostoa melanostele, a rare, high-altitude columnar cactus from Peru and Ecuador. Distinguished by its dense covering of soft, white, hair-like spines, this cactus combines dramatic visual impact with surprisingly low maintenance. Its upright, architectural growth makes it a striking focal point in pots, desert-style landscapes, or succulent collections.

Mature plants may develop a cephalium, a woolly flowering zone where tubular blooms emerge, enhancing their sculptural beauty. With time, Espostoa melanostele forms tall, columnar stems that showcase both texture and height, making it a must-have for collectors seeking rare and exotic cacti.

Key Features:

• Soft, woolly spines that shimmer in sunlight

• Upright, columnar growth for architectural impact

• Rare and exotic, native to high-altitude regions of Peru and Ecuador

• May develop a cephalium and produce seasonal tubular flowers

• Low-maintenance and highly drought-tolerant

Care Guide:

• Light: Full sun for optimal growth and wool development

• Watering: Allow soil to dry completely between waterings; highly drought-tolerant

• Soil: Use a coarse, fast-draining cactus or sandy mix

• Feeding: Fertilize lightly in spring and summer with cactus-specific fertilizer

• Propagation: Primarily by seeds; cuttings are uncommon

• Climate: Best in dry, frost-free conditions with good airflow

Why You’ll Love It:
The Espostoa melanostele is more than just a cactus—it’s a living sculpture shaped by the extremes of the Andes. Its woolly texture, upright form, and rare flowering habit make it a standout addition to any succulent or cactus collection.

The succulent plant housed in the red pot comes in a 130mm diameter container. While the image provides a representative depiction of what you will receive, but may vary slightly because no two succulents are the same. 

Please note  — NT, TAS, WA customers: please contact us before placing your order due to additional quarantine charges associated with these locations.
View Shipping options