A low dark body
The flattened silhouette and deep tone create the impression of a compact stone among brighter cacti.
Notocactus uebelmannianus 5.5cm
Normal price
€3,00
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Notocactusuebelmannianus
It blooms before you finish measuring it 📏
- Cactaceae
- Flattened globular body
- Purple-magenta flowers
- Brazilian endemic
- Collectable Notocactus
Notocactus uebelmannianus proves that dramatic presence does not require a large volume: its low flattened body carries deep green to near-black tones, crisp ribs and short areoles arranged in a strict radial pattern. The dark surface appears almost velvety between fine spines and gives the plant a mature, refined image from an early stage. It is an understated yet powerful collector cactus.
The true climax arrives with large purple, violet or vivid magenta flowers, colours unusual among compact globular cacti and spectacular against the dark body. The contrast is so clear that flowering can transform the balance of an entire composition. This is a highly desirable Parodia: elegant in everyday form, theatrical in bloom and distinctive enough to claim a central place in a carefully selected collection.
What makes it special
Three details that turn its botanical identity into genuine presence for a collection and interior or outdoor setting.
Flowers in an unusual palette
Violet to magenta shades stand apart from the more common white, yellow or red flowers of other genera.
Areoles in precise rows
Areoles follow the ribs and emphasise symmetry without hiding the epidermis under dense spines.
Why you will love it: A dark sculptural base and purple flowering—a small cactus with uncommon colour confidence.
In your spacePlacement & plant pairingsWhere it looks its best and which plants complement it
Where it looks its best
Place it in pale terracotta or off-white ceramic to emphasise the dark body. It needs a very bright position, while the small flattened crown is best viewed from slightly above and away from dense group plantings.
Plants that bring out its character
Pair it with plants that genuinely share its light, substrate and seasonal rhythm. Separate pots keep care precise for every plant.
- Mammillaria marksiana — golden spines for strong luminous contrast.
- Gymnocalycium baldianum — another dark body with different rib geometry and red flowers.
- Frailea castanea — a tiny brown form for a collection of low South American cacti.
Care at a glance
Light
Very bright light with gentle gradual sun; avoid sudden scorching midday exposure.
Water
Water after the whole pot dries in growth; keep much drier through a cool winter.
Climate
Good airflow, warm summers without stagnant humidity and protection from frost or cold damp.
Pets & children
Spines are a mechanical hazard even when fine; use a stable position out of easy reach.
Selected for this plant
Substrate & nutrition
Detailed careComplete care guideLight, drying cycle, climate, substrate and nutrition in detail
Light and position
Strong light helps maintain a low body and flowering maturity. Acclimate gradually because the dark epidermis can overheat quickly behind glass.
Watering correctly
Soak the root zone after complete dry-down and let the container drain. Do not maintain dampness with small sips or repeatedly wet the woolly crown.
Air and humidity
Air movement is essential after watering, particularly around the low body close to the soil surface. Remove debris that holds moisture at the neck.
Temperature and seasonal rhythm
It grows in the warm season and rests cool, bright and almost dry in winter. This seasonal rhythm supports healthy crown growth and flowering.
Substrate
Use a porous cactus mix with a high mineral fraction and a drainage hole. Keep the neck above the surface and avoid an oversized container.
Feeding, repotting and handling
Feed gently only when active growth is visible. With new Sybasoil, wait about two months before Cactus & Succulent Focus and do not feed during winter rest.
Botanical identityIdentity & natural originAccepted name, taxonomic history and natural or cultivated origin
Accepted name Parodia crassigibba
The accepted identity is Parodia crassigibba (F.Ritter) N.P.Taylor. Notocactus uebelmannianus and Parodia werneri remain familiar synonyms in cultivation.
From Notocactus to Parodia
The plant was described within the older concept of Notocactus. Broader modern classification incorporated that genus into Parodia, although old labels persist in trade.
Endemic to Rio Grande do Sul
The wild species is restricted to Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil, growing in subtropical rocky sites that may receive seasonal moisture but drain freely.
From natural habitat to care: Southern Brazilian origin does not mean constant tropical moisture: Parodia crassigibba occupies rocky sites where roots re-aerate quickly. In a pot it needs high-quality bright light, deep watering only after dry-down and a cooler winter without wet substrate.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScientific details nobody asked forBotanical detail for anyone who wants to understand the science behind the plant
Crassigibba describes thick swellings
The epithet refers to the thick swellings of the ribs that give the body its characteristic relief.
Purple pigments in the petals
The flowers’ anthocyanin palette is unusual and can range from violet to deep magenta.
A flattened crown lowers the profile
The body remains close to the ground, exposing less lateral volume to drying winds.
Flowers arise from newer areoles
Flowering appears around the crown where tissues are younger and developmentally active.
Frequently asked questions
Useful answers about light, watering, seasonal rhythm and the plant’s correct identity.
01How much direct sun can it take?
Strong light helps maintain a low body and flowering maturity. Acclimate gradually because the dark epidermis can overheat quickly behind glass.
02When exactly should it be watered?
Soak the root zone after complete dry-down and let the container drain. Do not maintain dampness with small sips or repeatedly wet the woolly crown.
03Is it Notocactus or Parodia?
The current accepted name is Parodia crassigibba. Notocactus uebelmannianus is an older synonym still widely used on collector labels.
04Will the flowers always be purple?
The species is known for violet to magenta flowers, but exact shade, flower number and timing depend on genetics, maturity and conditions.
05What substrate and feeding does it need?
Use a porous cactus mix with a high mineral fraction and a drainage hole. Keep the neck above the surface and avoid an oversized container. Feed gently only when active growth is visible. With new Sybasoil, wait about two months before Cactus & Succulent Focus and do not feed during winter rest.
06Is it safe around pets and children?
Spines are a mechanical hazard even when fine; use a stable position out of easy reach.
📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.