Pelecyphora vivipara

The spinystar, long known as Escobaria or Coryphantha vivipara, is a small clumping cactus with bright pink flowers that ranges from the Mexican border to the Canadian prairies. Many forms are extremely cold-hardy and need full sun, dry winters and a cold rest to flower.

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

Grows in open grassland, prairie, pinyon-juniper woodland and desert scrub, on rocky or sandy soils, usually fully exposed.

Recorded from about 1070 to 2440 m (median 1860 m); northern prairie populations grow lower, around 650 m.

United States (western and Great Plains)Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba)Mexico (Sonora, Chihuahua)

🔒 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.