Melocactus horridus

A Turk's-cap cactus from the dry interior of northeastern Brazil, recorded once near 600 m in Pernambuco. Like other Melocactus it needs real warmth year-round, strong sun and a mineral mix; it is cold-sensitive and should not be chilled in winter.

At home, aim for

Day Warm-growingTargets in Plantistry

Night A clear drop at nightTargets 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

Grows on rocky outcrops and sandy soils in caatinga thorn scrub, generally among rocks in open ground.

The single record lies at about 590 m.

Brazil Northeast

🔒 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

Grow Melocactus horridus? Add it to a free garden and its full profile opens. Pro opens all 38,374 profiles in the library, plants and fungi.

Start free Sign in

More Melocactus

Melocactus curvispinus Melocactus macracanthos Melocactus azureus Melocactus bahiensis Melocactus bellavistensis Melocactus caroli-linnaei Melocactus ernestii Melocactus levitestatus Melocactus matanzanus Melocactus violaceus Melocactus conoideus Melocactus intortus All 53 →

Profiles are drafts built from measured range and climate and from published sources; each section carries its own confidence in the app.