Cereus repandusPeruvian Apple Cactus

Cereus repandus is the Peruvian Apple Cactus, a tall columnar species that branches into a candelabra with age and reaches the scale of a small tree. The ribbed blue-green stems are leafless and armed at the areoles, and large white flowers open for a single night in summer, followed by smooth red-skinned fruit with sweet white flesh.

It is specified as a vertical accent in arid gardens and courtyards, where the architecture of the plant carries the design and the water requirement is close to nil.

Specifications

• Height6 to 10 metres
• Width2 to 3 metres
• Native toNorthern South America and the southern Caribbean
• FoliageLeafless; ribbed columnar blue-green succulent stems with spined areoles; evergreen
• Growth rateModerate

Conditions

• SoilRequires free-draining sandy or gravelly soils and will not tolerate waterlogging
• LightFull sun
• WaterLow; drought-tolerant once established
• ClimateThrives in hot arid and semi-arid regions and is damaged by frost

Additional Features

• FormColumnar stems branching into a candelabra crown with age
• FlowersLarge white nocturnal flowers opening for a single night in summer
• FruitSmooth red-skinned fruit with sweet white flesh, edible
• UsesIdeal for arid feature planting, xeriscape schemes, courtyards and architectural accents
• SpacingPlant 1.5 to 2.5 metres apart for a grouped stand
• Low MaintenanceNeeds no routine care beyond the removal of damaged stems
• Pest ResistanceGenerally pest-free where drainage is sharp
• Drought ToleranceHolds condition through extended rainless periods

The Peruvian Apple Cactus gives a courtyard or arid garden real vertical presence on almost no water at all.