Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 11:43 am
The bunny ear cactus is one of the most popular types of succulents. It has a fast growth rate and can be thrown into any soil mix or other potting media without much prep work needed. This makes it perfect for beginners, but also means that experienced gardeners will want to be more careful when planting out their plants as they are more susceptible to overwatering, drying out, and over-feeding.
A bunny ear cactus will grow quite large if left unattended, so they are best planted in a pot with plenty of room until the plant is mature enough for planting outside or being divided into multiple pots. They enjoy staying at around 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius) and prefer a dry environment with plenty of bright light.
Origin and description of bunny ear cactus
Plant propagation is a common practice for many gardeners. From filling an empty pot with soil and adding seeds, to simply taking cuttings from plants you already have and rooting them on their own, there are plenty of ways to keep your space looking fresh.
Bunny ear cactus propagation can be done by cutting off the top inch or two of the plant and placing it into a pot with soil. It can also be done by removing some seeds from their protective papery sheaths, then soaking them overnight in water before planting them in pots filled with moist but not soggy soil.
Bunny ear cactus propagation is quick and easy for beginners to attempt because they have no risk of wilting or dying due to under-watering, they are quick growing and can be left unattended to for a while. This makes them perfect candidates for anyone looking to get into gardening!
The bunny ear cactus is one of the most popular types of succulents. It has a fast growth rate and can be thrown into any soil mix or other potting media without much prep work needed. This makes it perfect for beginners, but also means that experienced gardeners will want to take care when planting out their plants as they are more susceptible to overwatering, drying out, and over-feeding.
A bunny ear cactus will grow quite large if left unattended, so they are best planted in a pot with plenty of room until the plant is mature enough for planting outside or being divided into multiple pots. Bunny ear cactus care also includes providing them with 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 Celsius) and a dry environment, as well as bright light.
The bunny ear cactus is a variety of the Echinocereus triglochidiatus columnar cactus that’s native to Mexico and Guatemala. It grows in rocky areas with good drainages, such as slopes or hillsides near water sources. They’re glaucous green when they’re young but will eventually become a deep blue-green to somewhat purple color.
The cactus is low maintenance and easy to propagate, as it’s grown from cuttings or seedlings in commercial nurseries all around the world. In 2007, there was an Echinocereus triglochidiatus columnar Bunny Ear Cactus Festival held at the Chichicastenango Plantation in Guatemala.
Bunny ear cactus propagation
The bunny ear cactus is a very slow-growing plant. After planting, it won’t grow again for at least two years and will take up to three to reach maturity. The only way of propagating the Bunny Ear Cactus is by dividing with scissors or knife into sections that have roots growing from them. These sections can be planted in a pot, in the ground or even as cuttings.
Cacti are not plants that like to be moved around so it’s best to leave them alone and let them grow at their own pace. You should also avoid taking any of the spines from this cactus because they can be very sharp and painful when handled without gloves.
The Bunny Ear Cactus does not require a lot of water but should be watered often in order to keep the soil moisture at an adequate level. The cacti also benefit from being fertilized every six months with diluted liquid plant food and will grow best when it is placed outdoors or near a window that gets plenty of light.
General bunny ears cactus care information
Light requirements
Bunny ear cactus is a desert plant that needs exposure to full sun, as they have evolved to thrive in these conditions.
This is because the roots of this succulent absorb heat during the day and release it at night, which provides them with enough warmth for their metabolism to function properly. They will not grow if they do not get enough light.
Intermittent periods of full sun are preferable to constant shade, as these plants need the heat from the sun for their metabolism to work properly and because they can only store so much water in their fleshy leaves.
However, it is important not to place them too close to a window that gets direct sunlight during the day, as they can dry out quickly in this condition and because too much light will burn the plant.
It is also important not to place them near a window that gets direct sunlight or close to an air conditioning unit that blows cool air on them during the night because these plants need cooler temperatures at night for their metabolism to work properly.
Soil/potting mix
Containers should be at least four inches deep. You can either use a commercial potting mix or make your own by mixing various soil components such as sand, peat moss, and perlite in the desired proportions. Container gardens need to have nutrient-rich soil that’s well-drained but water-retentive with air pockets.
The best soil for bunny ear cactus is good quality, fast-draining commercial potting mix that contains perlite and peat moss in the proportion of one part each to three parts soil.
Fill your containers with moistened potting mix until it’s about an inch or so below the rim of the container.
Place the cactus in the container so it touches the soil. If you want to grow your plants taller, insert a stake next to the plant and tie it loosely around its lower stem until there’s enough room for more growth. You can also place them inside of a soda bottle or vase with an inch of water at the bottom.
Fertilizer
Cacti and succulents need to be fertilized at least twice a year, in the spring and fall. The best time for fertilizing is during their active growing periods when they’re producing new leaves or flowers
Fertilizers contain three numbers that indicate how much nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). The first number is the amount of nitrogen, the second is phosphorus and the third is potassium.
Potted plants need a fertilizer that’s low in phosphates (the middle number) because it can cause algae to bloom in containers with poor drainage. It should also have an analysis that indicates there are two or more of these numbers such as 15-15-15 or 20-20-20.
When fertilizing your bunny ear cactus plants, apply a quarter of the recommended dose at each application time and water it in well to make sure they’re getting even distribution for better results.
Fertilizer spikes should only be used on cacti during their blooming season to increase flower production but not to be used on succulents.
High-quality fertilizer contains the right mix of phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium to keep plants healthy without being too rich for good drainage or containing any other ingredients that would damage your container garden.
Watering
Bunny ear cactus needs to be watered thoroughly but infrequently, while succulents should be watered well and often.
Cacti prefer dry conditions so water them when the soil is just barely moist; this prevents excess moisture which can rot roots or promote bacterial growth that will harm your plant. The amount of time they go without watering depends on the potting mix, the size of the container, and also how hot it is.
Succulents prefer to be watered once every few weeks because they don’t have any special adaptations for storing water in their leaves or stems as cacti do. They can tolerate being left without water for a while but you’ll need to make sure that they’re watered thoroughly when you do water them.
The best time to water your succulents is in the morning because this will give their leaves a chance to dry off during the day and also keep the soil from becoming too soggy due to temperature fluctuations.
Temperature
Succulents prefer the average temperature for cacti and succulents to be between 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit
They’re able to tolerate lower temperatures but they prefer being in warmer weather since this will promote faster growth
Cacti should have their soil kept moist all year round while succulents should only be watered during periods of warm weather
Humidity
The ideal humidity level for succulents is about 40-50%. The ideal humidity level for cacti and succulents in the ground is between 30%-40%. The best levels are higher if it’s dry outside. Lower during more humid weather
Cacti prefer a relative humidity of 20-35%, while most Succulent plants prefer a humidity of 35-65%
The best way to measure the relative humidity is with a hygrometer or by taking it into your home and feeling how wet the air feels. The moisture in the air will change depending on whether it’s humid outside, dry inside, or somewhere in between.
Repotting
The top of the soil should be at least an inch below the base of a cacti’s leaves and two or three inches below a succulent’s roots
Bunny ear cactus need to have their root ball watered well before repotting, but it isn’t necessary for succulents. Cacti will only need to be planted in the new potting mix, but succulents will need to have their roots trimmed back
After repotting cacti or any other plant that has a taproot (a root system with one main stem from which all of the branches grow), it’s important to allow the soil time for settling before watering again. This is usually about one to two weeks
Pruning
Prune back to the desired shape and size, removing any dead or damaged parts
Some succulents should be pruned back in winter while others will need it done now. This is usually determined by whether they have a deciduous habit (losing their leaves) or not.
Most cacti can’t be pruned but some succulents should be
If you’re not sure whether or not a succulent needs to have its dead leaves removed, look for new buds at the end of each stem. If there are no new buds and if it’s been more than one year since any growth was seen on that particular branch, then prune back by about two-thirds.
If you can see new buds and if it’s been less than one year since any growth was seen on that particular branch, then prune back by about half.
The soil should be moist when a succulent is being repotted or planted in the ground but not wet
Growth rate
Cacti grow at a much faster rate than succulents do, but they need less care. The most important thing is making sure that the soil stays moist during periods of drought or dry weather.
Hardiness zone
The hardiness zone for bunny ear cactus is between zones 4 and 11. Zone 11 includes the southernmost tip of Florida, California south of Santa Barbara County (and including parts of Southern Arizona). Zone four includes most of the United States and Central America, Southern Chile.
Toxicity of Bunny ear cactus
The bunny ear cactus is not toxic to humans, but it’s best for pets and children not to be in contact with the plant because of its sharp spines. You should also wear gloves when handling or pruning.
If you happen to get a prick on your skin from one of its hairs, then use soap and water immediately after removing the offending hair.
Pests and diseases
Some cacti can have problems with scale insects, mealybugs, or spider mites. While this is rare for succulents, they are at risk of becoming infected by Phytophthora and Pythium.
If you suspect that your plant has a problem with pests or disease, then it’s best to discard the potting mix and replant the cacti or succulents in a new potting mix.
The best way to prevent these problems is with proactive measures like keeping plants well-watered and using organic fertilizer on them. A once-a-month spray of diluted milk will also kill off any mealybugs.
