Gymnocalycium horstii – Spider Cactus, globular cactus with large flowers

Gymnocalycium horstii is a South American cactus native to southern Brazil, particularly the state of Rio Grande do Sul. It is appreciated for its deep green, glossy, globular body with broad, rounded ribs, but especially for its unusually sparse spination for a cactus. The spines are few, light-colored, and arranged close to the plant’s surface, an appearance that contributed to its common name, Spider Cactus. 

At maturity, it can produce very large flowers in relation to the plant’s size, in shades ranging from white and pale pink to pink or light purple. The flowers appear on the upper part of the body and can reach approximately 11 cm. Plants are initially solitary, but mature specimens may slowly produce offsets and form clusters. 

🌿 Botanical characteristics:

• Botanical name: Gymnocalycium horstii Buining
• Common name: Spider Cactus
• Family: Cactaceae
• Origin: Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
• Plant type: perennial succulent cactus
• Globular, green and glossy body
• Broad, rounded and clearly defined ribs
• Few, yellowish-white spines, straight to slightly curved
• The spines are characteristically arranged close to the body’s surface
• Can reach approximately 20–25 cm in diameter
• Predominantly solitary growth when young, with the possibility of producing offsets at maturity
• Large flowers, white, pale pink, pink or light purple 

🌞 Growing conditions:

• Light: prefers plenty of light, but unlike many desert cacti, it also appreciates filtered sunlight or bright partial shade. Very strong sunlight can cause sunburn, especially in plants that have not been acclimatized. 
• Substrate: very well-drained and porous, suitable for cacti and succulents.
• Watering: during the active growing period, it can be watered moderately after the substrate has dried. G. horstii tolerates somewhat more water during the growing season than many other cactus species, but waterlogging must be avoided.
• Winter: watering should be reduced considerably, and the plant benefits from a cooler, dry resting period.
• Cold tolerance: specialist sources mention tolerance down to approximately -4°C if the plant is kept dry, but for container-grown specimens, we recommend protected overwintering and avoiding frost. 
• Fertilization: moderate, during the active growing period, using a fertilizer intended for cacti and succulents.

🌱 Secret Garden recommendation:

👉 For optimal drainage and healthy root development, we recommend Secret Garden Professional Substrate for Cacti, Succulents and Adenium - SG MIX.

➡️ View product: https://secretgarden.ro/products/substrat-cactusi-suculente-adenium

✨ What makes it special:

• deep green, glossy, globular body;
• very broad and rounded ribs with a sculptural appearance;
• rare, distinctive spination, unlike that of many other cacti;
• spectacularly large flowers relative to the plant’s size;
• flowers can range from white and pale pink to pink or light purple;
• mature specimens can gradually form decorative clusters.

📌 Note: The plant is sold without flowers. The shape, size, number and position of the spines may naturally vary from one specimen to another. Following handling or transport, the plant may have minor scars, scratches, superficial spots or damaged spines, without affecting its health, viability or development.

Height including pot: approx. 8 cm

The displayed price is for 1 plant.