A smooth, nearly spineless form
The body may carry very few spines and read as a clean spherical sculpture.
3
Matucana madisoniorum 6.5cm
Normal price
€6,50
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.
Matucana madisoniorum
A little ball that definitely does not bounce 🟢
- Cactaceae
- Globose grey-green body
- Few or no spines
- Large tubular flowers
- Rare Peruvian wild species
Matucana madisoniorum resembles a smooth green pebble brought to life: its rounded body has broad, quiet ribs and often very few spines, leaving the succulent geometry completely exposed. This restrained surface gives it a modern, almost zen presence unlike that of a conventionally spiny cactus.
The true surprise arrives when the small body carries large tubular flowers in vivid red or orange, at a scale that seems improbable beside the stem. Its rare Peruvian identity, unusual simplicity and spectacular flowering make it an exceptional piece for a serious cactus collection.
What makes it stand out
Three defining details that turn its botanical identity into real presence for a collection and interior.
Flowers on a striking scale
Long floral tubes and warm colour create a spectacular contrast with the small stem.
A rare Peruvian presence
Restricted natural distribution and unusual morphology give it strong collector interest.
Why you’ll love it: it combines a clean nearly spineless silhouette with flowers that look oversized and a genuinely rare Peruvian history.
In your spacePlacement & plant pairingsWhere it looks best and which plants complement it
Where it looks its best
Display it alone in low terracotta, dark ceramic or pale stone, leaving space above the crown for flowers. A slightly elevated view reveals the broad ribs and symmetry most clearly.
Plants that complement it
Pair it with plants that genuinely share its light, substrate and seasonal rhythm. Separate pots keep care precise for each one.
- Astrophytum asterias — low spineless radial geometry.
- Gymnocalycium baldianum — compact body with bold flowering and a compatible dry rhythm.
- Rebutia heliosa — dense spine texture against the smooth surface.
Care at a glance
Light
Bright light with morning or filtered sun and slow acclimation.
Watering
Water deeply in growth only after the mix has dried completely.
Peruvian cactus
Warm days, clear airflow and a bright dry frost-free winter rest.
Pets & children
Spination varies but may injure; place securely out of reach.
For this plant
Substrate & nutrition
Detailed careComplete care guideLight, drying cycle, climate, substrate and feeding in detail
Light and position
Give bright light with gentle morning or filtered midday sun and increase exposure gradually. Its relatively smooth body can scorch if moved abruptly from shade into hot sun.
Correct watering
During active growth, water deeply only when the mix is dry to the bottom. Allow complete drainage and do not water again merely because the surface is dry.
Airflow and humidity
It needs airflow around both base and crown, without trapped dampness. Avoid misting and enclosed glassy positions where temperature rises abruptly.
Temperature and seasonal rhythm
Warm conditions support growth and flowering. In winter keep it bright, cooler and almost dry, always frost-free and without cold dampness at the roots.
Substrate
Use a highly mineral cactus mix with pumice, lava and a small organic fraction. The pot need not be excessively deep, but it must drain immediately.
Feeding, repotting and handling
During active growth give diluted Cactus & Succulent Focus as directed and stop when growth slows. Avoid repotting while a bud is forming so flowering is not interrupted.
Botanical identityIdentity & natural originAccepted name, taxonomic history and natural or cultivated provenance
An accepted species from northern Peru
Kew accepts Matucana madisoniorum and records its native range in northern Peru, within seasonally dry tropical habitat.
Originally described in another genus
The species was published in 1963 as Borzicactus madisoniorum Hutchison. Its accepted placement in Matucana is attributed to G.D.Rowley and D.R.Hunt.
Restricted and threatened in the wild
The IUCN assesses it as Critically Endangered. Collector value applies to nursery-propagated material and never justifies removal from wild populations.
From natural habitat to care: Rocky seasonally dry slopes in northern Peru combine strong radiation, brief periods of available moisture and rapid drainage. In a pot it likewise needs acclimated bright exposure, a mineral root zone and a distinct dry rest.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScientific facts nobody asked forBotanical detail for anyone who wants to know what lies behind the plant’s appearance
Spination is variable
Individuals may be almost smooth or carry a few spines, so exact appearance varies naturally.
The flower is pollinator-shaped
A long tubular form and red-orange colour are associated with specialised pollinator attraction.
Ribs allow expansion
The stem can contract in drought and expand after moisture becomes available without splitting readily.
Rarity is not a decorative label
CR refers to extinction risk in wild populations, not to the cultivation difficulty of a nursery-grown plant.
Frequently asked questions
Useful answers about light, watering, seasonal rhythm and the plant’s correct identity.
01Is it always spineless?
No. The species is variable and may carry very few or a greater number of small spines.
02What colour are the flowers?
They are usually vivid red to orange and have a long tubular shape.
03When does it need watering?
During growth, only when the mix is dry to the bottom. Keep it almost dry in winter.
04What light does it need?
Bright light with gentle or filtered sun. Acclimation matters because the smooth body marks readily.
05What changes with the seasons?
Warm conditions bring growth and possible flowering; winter should be bright, cooler and very dry.
06Does it need careful handling?
Yes. Even nearly spineless individuals may have sharp points. Keep it secure and out of reach of children and animals.
📦 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.