Melocactus azureus
DESCRIPTION
A rounded, dusty blue stem with well-defined, triangular ridges forms the structure of Melocactus azureus, made all the more alluring by lines of wooly areoles from which clusters of very long, reddish brown spines emerge. As the plant matures, the spines and wool will form a particularly dense cluster directly atop the apex of the stem, giving this variety a particularly fearsome appearance when viewed from above – and earning this family of cacti the nickname ‘Turk’s Cap.’
In their native habitat in Brazil, Melocactus azureus can reach heights of up to 7 inches tall and 5 inches wide – a mature growth pattern that can also be achieved within our home environments, provided the plant receives sufficient levels of full sunlight. Beyond this, its requirements are quite simple – the most critical of which is to avoid overwatering by adhering to a thorough yet infrequent watering routine. Porous soil within a well-draining pot will further shield against issues with excess moisture, as will ample airflow around the stem and soil surface.
Hardy only to Zone 10, be sure to shield Melocactus azureus from freezing temperatures – and as the weather warms once again, you will be rewarded with deep pink, tubular blooms that contrast heavily with the rich blue of the stems
PLANT SIZING & APPEARANCE
Plant sizing is based on the diameter of the nursery pot (2", 2.5", 3", 4" etc), not the plant itself. Plants may be slightly larger or smaller than the pot they are grow in depending on availability or time of year. While we do our best to ship plants as similar to those pictured as possible, please keep in mind that all plants are unique from one to the next, and display color, shape, and growth variation based on current environment, time of year, and other contributing factors. Please note that we ship our plants as dry as possible in the fall and winter months to prevent root rot or freezing. They will plump back up after planting!
Product information
30-Day Guarantee Details
The overwhelming majority of our orders are delivered without any issues. However, due to the complexities of packing and shipping live plants, sometimes things don’t quite go as expected. For these rare instances, we offer this 30 Day Quality Guarantee to all our customers:
Our plants and products are guaranteed to be of excellent quality, well-rooted and disease free. If plants do not arrive in prime condition, customers may choose one of the following options
- Store credit + 10% (e.g.: $6 purchase + 10% = $6.60 store credit)
- Credit card, PayPal, or Amazon Pay refund
- Replacement plants (if possible)
This guarantee applies to all plants and products for up to 30 days after delivery.
All plants are shipped bare-root with the exception of Bulk Succulent Packs, House Plants, and Plant Club Subscription Boxes. House plants and succulents will ship from separate locations and may arrive at different times. Orders ship Monday-Friday each week. Please allow 1-3 business days for your order to be processed. We ship within the USA and its outlying territories ONLY. Read our full policy here.