16 Lophophora Cactus Varieties You’ve Never Seen Before

Have you ever gazed upon a cactus that looks like it’s from another planet? Well, get ready to be amazed by the incredible Lophophora cactus family! These quirky and fascinating plants will blow your mind with their bizarre shapes, colors, and odd growths. Strap in tight as we take you on a wild ride through 16 out-of-this-world Lophophora varieties that are sure to leave you awestruck. Trust me, you’ve never seen anything quite like these!

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Types of Lophophora Cactus

Lophophora alberto-vojtechii

Let’s kick things off with the smallest member of the bunch – the alberto-vojtechii. Despite its tiny size (just 2 cm wide!), this little guy packs a big punch. Its swollen underground root system gives it an alien-like appearance that’s both bizarre and beautiful.

Lophophora diffusa

Don’t be fooled by its spineless body – the diffusa is one tough customer! This hardy cactus can grow into massive, mounded clumps given enough time and TLC. Its primitive looks give it a real “dinosaur of the plant world” kind of vibe.

Lophophora diffusa var. koehresii

Here’s a dark horse contender that’s small in stature but big on personality. The koehresii variety stands out from its diffusa relatives with its deep, moody green coloring and heavily ridged body. Cultivate this one and you’ll have a gothic garden centerpiece to be proud of!

Lophophora diffusa subs. kubesae

Don’t let this one’s mild-mannered looks fool you – the kubesae is a cactus that plays the long game. While it may seem like an ordinary diffusa at first, give it some years and it’ll morph into a gigantic, multi-headed monstrosity up to 5 feet wide! Talk about an eye-popping garden centerpiece.

Lophophora diffusa var. swobodaiana

With its silvery green body covered in chunky pyramidal bumps, swobodaiana looks like it was dipped in sparkling sugar crystals. This variety’s unique frosted appearance makes it a real showstopper that’s sure to turn heads.

Lophophora williamsii

Introducing the quintessential peyote cactus – the williamsii! This blue-green beauty is the poster child of the Lophophora family. Its plump, barrel-shaped body and woolly crown give it true movie star looks. Collectors go gaga over well-developed williamsii specimens.

Lophophora williamsii var. caespitosa

Want a real show-stopper? Then look no further than the mind-bending caespitosa variety. Over time, this bad boy morphs into a crazy, tufted, multi-headed monstrosity that’s sure to be the envy of all your cactus-loving friends. Bragging rights guaranteed!

Lophophora williamsii var. caespitosa f. variegata

Cactus collectors go absolutely gaga for variegated specimens, and this form of caespitosa is no exception. Its mottled green body streaked with creamy yellow looks like someone went wild with a paintbrush. An eccentric marvel that’s hard to come by!

Lophophora williamsii var. cristata

Crested cacti are always a funky treat, and williamsii f. cristata might just take the cake for pure weirdness. Its contorted, brain-like appearance is simply hypnotic to behold. Be warned though – these odd ducks don’t come cheap!

Lophophora williamsii var. fricii

Here’s one for the lovers of the plump and plump. Fricii varieties grow into broad, pancake-flat clumps that resemble a pile of floppy, green frisbees. Their mellow yellow tones give them a warm, sunshine-y vibe that’s hard not to love.

Lophophora williamsii var. fricii f. cristata

Just when you thought fricii couldn’t get any wackier, along comes its crested form! This tuft of tangled, green tentacles looks more like a cryptic coral species than a cactus. A real prize for the adventurous collector.

Lophophora williamsii var. fricii f. variegata

Imagine the coolest tie-dye shirt you’ve ever seen…but in cactus form. That’s pretty much what you get with this blazing yellow and green variegated variety of fricii. It’s like a tiny, spiky burst of sunshine for your succulent garden.

Lophophora williamsii var. fricii cv. Marbles

With its long, plump, rounded bumps, this clone has been aptly dubbed “Marbles” for its unique, bubbly appearance. It looks like someone went buck wild with a green Play-Doh mold, creating a lumpy, one-of-a-kind cactus that commands attention.

Lophophora williamsii var. jourdaniana

For fans of the ultra-flat growth habit, jourdaniana is sure to be a hit. This variety slowly spreads into a carpet of pancake-like fanned stems that make it look like a spiky green lily pad. A quirky and lovable addition.

Lophophora williamsii var. texana

Don’t mess with Texas…especially when it comes to their native texana variety! This frosty blue-grey local form cranks the ribbing up to the max with up to 14 ridges carved into its plump little body. A funky and distinct collector’s piece.

Lophophora williamsii cv. Kikko

Last but not least, we have the endearingly quirky kikko clone. Its extra long, pointy bumps give it the look of a prickly starfish or some sort of bizarre micro-echinda. An offbeat oddball that’s sure to spark conversation!

How To Care For Lophophora Cactus

Now that you’re familiar with all the wacky Lophophora varieties out there, let’s go over how to keep these little green weirdos happy and healthy. While they may look bizarre, their care needs are actually pretty straightforward.

Light

Like most cacti, Lophophoras are total sun-worshippers. In their native haunts, they bask under the scorching Mexican and Texan sun. To mimic this at home, situate your plants in the brightest, sunniest spot you can find – a south-facing window is perfect. During summer’s hottest months, you may need to give them some afternoon shade to prevent sunburn. A few hours under a grow light can supplement on darker winter days too.

Water

This is where a lot of cactus newbies slip up and get in trouble. Lophophoras are pretty drought-tolerant, so overwatering is a major no-no that can cause rot and kill them off. The “soak and dry” method works best – water thoroughly, but then don’t give them another drink until the soil has completely dried out. During winter dormancy, cut back watering to just a minor sip every 6-8 weeks.

Soil

Like a good cactus mix should be, your Lophophora’s soil needs to be very well-draining to prevent moisture buildup. A blend of potting soil, coarse sand or perlite, and some small pebbles or crushed granite makes the perfect base. You can even mix in a little bone meal to provide some extra nutrients. Be sure to plant in a pot with adequate drainage holes too.

Fertilizer

While not heavy feeders, your peyote cacti will appreciate a little nutritional boost during their active growing season. Use a cactus/succulent fertilizer or balanced fertilizer diluted to half strength. Apply it once a month during the spring and summer months when the plants are putting on new growth. Avoid fertilizing in winter when they’re dormant.

Climate

One of the coolest things about Lophophora cacti is their ability to handle both heat and cold fairly well. In their native ranges, they can experience freezing nights coupled with scorching hot days. As long as you mimic this with warm, sunny days and cooler nights, they’ll be just fine indoors. Around 60-90°F is the ideal temperature range.

Pests and Problems

Lophophoras are pretty tough customers that usually stay pest and disease-free. The biggest threat is rot from overwatering or poor drainage. Mealybugs and scale can sometimes be an issue – simply wipe them off with a cotton ball dipped in isopropyl alcohol. As for growth rate, don’t fret if yours seems to be inching along at a snail’s pace. These guys are notoriously slow-growers!

Pruning

Very little pruning is required for Lophophora cacti beyond removing any dead or damaged growth. You can pluck off spent flowers once they shrivel up. For some varieties that cluster and form mounds, you may want to periodically divide congested sections to control their size and shape.

Potting and Repotting

When potting up or repotting your precious peyote plants, spring and fall are the best times to do this when temperatures are moderate. Use a well-draining cactus mix in a container with drainage holes. Size up incrementally only when the plant has outgrown its current pot – most Lophophora varieties remain fairly small. Let the potting mix dry out before watering after repotting.

Propagating Lophophora Cactus

While growing from seed can be done, propagating these cacti vegetatively is much more common. Here are two easy methods:

1. Division

For clumping varieties that form multiple heads, you can divide the offsets. Use a sharp, sterile knife to cut off a rosette, allowing the wound to dry and callus over for a few days before replanting in fresh cactus soil.

2. Grafting

Grafting the scion (Lophophora cutting) onto a hardier rootstock is another popular technique. Dragon fruit or Trichocereus cuttings work well as rootstocks. Allow the scion to form a callus, then bind it to the cut surface of the rootstock using grafting clips or elastic bands. Keep in a warm spot out of direct sun until the graft fuses and new growth emerges.