Cochemiea tetrancistra

A small fishhook cactus of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts, often growing in the partial shelter of desert shrubs on sandy or gravelly ground. It has a thick, tuberous root that rots easily, so it is one of the less forgiving Mammillaria-type cacti in a pot: strong light, a very mineral mix and a dry, cool winter are essential.

At home, aim for

Day Cool-growingTargets in Plantistry

Night Close to the dayTargets in Plantistry

Humidity Dry airBand in Plantistry

Light Full sunDLI and PPFD in Plantistry

Expects a seasonal restGrows in the ground

Where it grows wild

Desert flats, washes and rocky slopes in creosote scrub of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts, frequently tucked at the base of shrubs. Soil details are inferred from the habitat type.

Recorded from near sea level to about 1,500 m in the literature; GBIF records span -9 to 2,493 m with a median of 706 m.

ArizonaCaliforniaMexico NorthwestNevadaUtah

🔒 Growing it like that

The wild conditions above, turned into targets for a shelf, a tent or a greenhouse. The full profile has:

✓ Day and night temperature targets, and the limits it tolerates

✓ Humidity band, and how to hold it

✓ Light as DLI and PPFD for a grow light

✓ Wet and dry seasons, and whether to rest it

✓ Substrate and airflow

✓ A step-by-step setup to grow it like the wild

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Profiles are drafts built from measured range and climate and from published sources; each section carries its own confidence in the app. Photo from Wikimedia Commons, used under its CC BY 4.0 licence, unmodified.