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Fairy Castle Cactus – How to Grow & Care Guide

Are you looking into growing fairy castle cactus? There are many reasons why so many people love cacti - they’re visually appealing, cool, unique, and cute, which means that they're going to suit all people regardless of their preferences and where they live. 

But, while most people believe that the best thing about them is that they don’t need too much love, care, and attention, this isn’t exactly true. Here are a few steps you need to take if you want your fairy castle cactus to grow properly.

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Acanthocereus Tetragonus commonly known as Fairy Castle Cactus

If you want your cactus to grow adequately and turn into the most beautiful plant in the world, you need to give it everything it deserves. This is especially true with the fairy castle cactus, one of those plants that don’t just look good, but also make your living space more sophisticated and elegant.

These can be seen in tons of homes around the world, as well as in office spaces and public areas, which means that they’re versatile, durable, and easy to grow, but only if you know how. 

Getting to Know Fairy Castle Cactus 

Before you can start taking care of your fairy castle cactus, you need to know a few of the most important facts about this plant. The name fairy castle cactus - it’s also known by its full name Acanthocereus tetragonus - comes from its look and it’s easy to conclude that it looks a lot like a castle from fairy tales. 

When you look at it from afar - because you don’t want to come too close to your cactus - its pads may appear like a bunch of towers or turrets, and the more towers there are, the richer, bigger, and more beautiful your cactus is. 

Acanthocereus Tetragonus Plant Features

Fairy castle cactus grows mostly by night, and that’s why it’s one of those night-blooming cacti - this category includes the queen of the night cactus, the dragon fruit cactus, and the Peruvian apple cactus, among others. 

This is perfect for people who want to see progress in the cacti but aren’t sure how to notice or measure it. So, instead of worrying too much about it, they can just assume that their cactus grows while they’re sleeping, and that’s it.

These cacti aren’t the biggest ones in the world, but they’re not the smallest either - on the contrary, they can grow up to six feet! However, if you keep them at home, don’t water them too often, and take care of their size regularly, it’s going to end up being much smaller and fit right into your home, office, or work area.

Moreover, you can even include it in your indoor cactus garden and turn it into the star of your garden - because it truly looks amazing, especially with its huge yellow or white flower!

Originating from the American region - it can be found all over the world, from Central America and Mexico to South America and the Caribbean - the fairy castle cactus got worldwide recognition a long time ago.

That’s why you can find it anywhere you want, so learn how to take care of your cactus right now!

How to Grow Fairy Castle Cactus

How to Grow Fairy Castle Cactus

Even though most people believe that these cacti could turn out to be rather hard to grow, the truth is quite the opposite. They’re easy to maintain if you use just a few simple tricks, so here’s what you need to do.

Sunlight Preference

First, you need to make sure that your cactus has lots of light. This might not sound like the most important thing in the world when it comes to night-blooming plants, but this will end up being quite crucial for the success and visual appeal of your cactus.

This doesn’t mean that you need to keep it in the areas of your home that receive the biggest amount of sunlight, but you need to give it as much sunlight as possible.

If you fail to do that, your cactus is going to lose color, fade, and become deformed. 

Regulating temperature

Depending on where you position your fairy castle cactus, you might need to regulate the temperature of the environment. The problem isn’t the heat - as mentioned before, it can grow in hot temperatures more than you can imagine - but the cold.

In case of frost, your cactus will start drying and it will never thrive as much as you’d like it to.

Fairy Castle Cactus Care

Fairy Castle Cactus Care

Watering Needs

When it comes to watering your fairy castle cactus, you should be careful. If you do it too often, you might risk getting the potting soil too wet, and that’s something you should never do because soggy soil might attract mealybugs.

Therefore, allow the soil to become a bit dry - touch it with your finger and you’ll figure out what it’s like straight away - because that’s always better than overwatering it.

Best Soil for Fairy Castle Cactus 

Pick the right soil when planting your fairy castle cactus. Even though it can survive in partial shade and even though it strives in hard soil and deserts, you need to make sure you pick the soil that’s well-draining.

This is true for all cacti and if you don’t do that, your cactus won’t reach the height, size, and looks it deserves. Still, if your home soil isn’t good enough, you have to boost its drainage using your spades, rakes, and hoes.

You might even consider using some men's workwear that’s going to keep you safe, protected, and properly dressed while working on your soil because this is the only way to provide your cactus with the right home.

When to Fertilizer

Finally, you can always consider using some helpful fertilizers when taking care of your cactus. You can add plant food directly to the soil or you can provide it to your cactus via water.

The best time to do that is during the spring because this is when the winter is over, the cold weather is behind you, and your cactus is getting ready to grow again!

Fairy Castle Cactus Propagation

Fairy Castle Cactus Propagation

This is one of those things that not all cacti owners love doing, but you need to keep in mind that propagation is one of the best things for the growth and development of your plant, especially if you’re trying to grow some new plants using existing cuttings.

This is why you should at least try to learn how to do this and you might even fall in love with this process and turn it into the most important aspect of your growth cycle.

First, you need to pick a pad you’re going to use for propagation. Make sure it’s rich, thick, and as representative as possible. Sever it using a knife or scissors, and try to do that at the base.

Also, don’t forget to sterilize your knife or scissors before making the cut because that’s the only way to protect your cactus from an infection.

Once you do that, let the cutting dry out for a few days and the end you’ve cut is going to get hard enough to form new roots. This way, your new cactus will start growing more quickly and adapt to the soil more adequately, and that’s the whole point of propagation.

In the end, just plant the pad in a pot - and you’re done! Of course, you need to pick a pot made from unglazed clay and with enough drainage holes to prevent overwatering and boost moisture evaporation. Finally, just add some of organic fertilizers, and watch your new cactus grow!

Check out our review of the best organic fertilizers here

Wrapping Up Our Fairy Castle Cactus Guide

So, whether you’ve already had some experience with the fairy castle cactus or you’re an absolute beginner, you shouldn’t have a problem enjoying this plant to the fullest.

It won’t require as much care and attention as some of the other cacti out there, but if treated fairly and with love, it might grow into the best and most beautiful cactus you’ve ever seen in your life! 

That is everything you need to know to grow Fairy castle cactus in your home. 

About the Author Mabel Vasquez

Mabel has enjoyed a long career as a horticulturist, working in nurseries and greenhouses for many years. Although she loves all plants, Mabel has developed a particular passion over the years for herb gardens and indoor plants. Mabel has since retired from her horticulture career and loves sharing her many years of experience with our audience here at Sumo Gardener.

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