Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Crested San Pedro
Crested San Pedro is the crested form of the San Pedro cactus. Instead of tall columns, its growing tips flatten into ribbon-like folds that build into green to bluish-green, brain-like mounds. It grows slowly to about 3 feet tall, so it fits patio pots, planters and rock gardens where people can see it up close. It needs little water and takes sun with some light shade.
Best for: a sculptural patio pot or planter, rock gardens where the folds show up close, and collections of crested cacti.
The crest grows slowly to about 3 feet tall, building folded, brain-like mounds. It makes a sculptural centerpiece for a large patio pot.
Set it where people can see the ribbon-like folds. Each crest grows its own pattern.
Crests are unstable, and normal round stems can sprout. Cut them off at the base to keep the plant crested.
In hot summers crests can sunburn, so light afternoon shade helps. Wet soil causes rot, and it needs frost cover near 20°F.
Wait about a week after planting before the first water. Then water every other week while nights stay above 60°F. In cooler weather, water only after two to four weeks without rain.
Water deeply in the warm months only when the soil is dry, and give little or none in winter. Plants in pots dry out faster and need water more often than plants in the ground.
Crests can sunburn in hot summers. Give it light afternoon shade, and keep the same side facing the sun as in the nursery.
Below about 20°F, frost can scar the stem tips. Cover the tips with foam cups or frost cloth that reaches the ground, not plastic. Take covers off in the morning.
Now and then a normal, round stem sprouts from the plant. Cut it off at its base so the plant puts its energy into the crest.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
What is a crested San Pedro?
It is the San Pedro cactus in crested form. The growing tip flattens into folds, so it builds brain-like mounds instead of tall columns.
How big does it get?
It grows slowly into a mound about 3 feet tall and about as wide. That is far smaller than the regular San Pedro, which can reach 15 to 20 feet.
Does it need full sun?
It likes sun, but crests can sunburn in hot summers. Give it light afternoon shade, and shade a new plant its first summer.
How often should I water it?
Water every two to three weeks in the warm season, then monthly or less in fall and winter. Let the soil dry completely between waterings.
Is it cold hardy?
It is rated to about 20°F. Cover it with frost cloth on cold nights, and keep the soil dry in winter.
Why is a normal stem growing from the crest?
Crests are unstable and normal growth can return. Cut the round stem off at its base to keep the crest.
What soil does it need?
Plant it in a fast-draining cactus mix with pumice or perlite. Soggy soil causes root rot, so never let the pot or bed stay wet.
Is it safe around pets?
San Pedro cactus contains alkaloids, including mescaline. Place it where dogs cannot chew on it.
Crested San Pedro for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Crested San Pedro is the crested form of the fast-growing San Pedro cactus. It grows slowly into folded mounds instead of tall columns. Below are the questions Valley homeowners ask about keeping one.
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Crested San Pedro vs regular San Pedro
Regular San Pedro grows fast into columns 15 to 20 feet tall. The crested form grows slowly into folded mounds about 3 feet tall.
Crested San Pedro in pots
Its slow growth and small size suit large patio pots. Use a fast-draining cactus mix with pumice or perlite.
Sun for crested San Pedro in Phoenix
Crests can sunburn in hot summers. Give it light afternoon shade and shade new plants their first summer.
Watering crested San Pedro
Water every two to three weeks in the warm season and monthly or less in cool months. Let the soil dry completely.
Keeping a crest from reverting
Normal round stems can sprout from a crest. Cut them off so the plant stays crested.
Frost care for crested San Pedro
It is rated to about 20°F. Cover it with frost cloth on cold nights and keep the soil dry in winter.
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