Espostoa lanata 'Snowball Cactus'
DESCRIPTION
With golden spines and a thick, white wooly coating that closely resembles hair, it is no surprise from whence Espostoa lanata 'Snowball Cactus' got its common name! Native to the high elevations of the Peruvian landscape, this variety sports a columnar growth habit and reaches a height of only 12 inches when grown indoors, where pot size and reduced access to sunlight serve to contain its growth. This mature size, however, is reached ever so slowly – often over the course of a decade or more – as this hardy plant has prioritized survival over size as an adaptation to its harsh indigenous environment.
Especially well suited to intense drought conditions, it is vital not to overwater ‘Snowball Cactus,’ lest it succumb to rot as a result. To avoid this fate, be sure to utilize a porous soil mixture within a well-draining pot, ensure ample airflow around the stem and soil surface, and water thoroughly but very infrequently. As with most cacti, this variety prefers full sun, so be sure to situate it in a bright southern or western exposure. During the winter months, take care to shield this desert plant from temperatures much below 50 degrees, which can cause permanent damage to the stem and bring growth to a halt.
Though ‘Snowball Cactus’ rarely blooms when kept as a houseplant, when it does the large white blooms are a sight to behold!
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.
How We Ship Plants
Ensuring Your Succulents Arrive Safe and Sound
1. Bare-Root Succulents
We gently remove your succulents from their pots, carefully shaking off excess soil to expose the roots. Each plant is inspected for optimal health, and pots saved for re-use. Please note: Houseplants and succulent packs are shipped fully-rooted in pots.
2. Wrap in Tissue
Succulent are wrapped individually or in pairs with soft tissue paper, forming a protective bundle to ensure the leaves and roots stay safe during transit.
3. Pack the Box Securely
We thoughtfully arrange the wrapped bundles in the shipping box, adding extra cushioning to prevent any movement and ensure your plants arrive in perfect condition.
4. Ship Your Order
Once packed, the box is securely taped and sealed to protect your succulents from the elements, ensuring they arrive fresh and healthy at your doorstep.
First Steps
Plant Mail 101
What you can expect when ordering plants from LEAF & CLAY and what to do when they arrive at your doorstep!