16 Types of Lophophora Cactus: Care Guide

The Lophophora cactus genus, also known as “peyote” in certain areas, is mainly found in certain areas of Mexico and the USA. It typically grows on low-mountain slopes in bushes with high density. Most sources list at least four species within the Lophophora cactus genus and several other subspecies.

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Types of Lophophora Cactus

Lophophora alberto-vojtechii

Lophophora alberto-vojtechii is a fascinating very cryptic, geophytic plant with a swollen subterranean root, characterized by its distinctively small size. It is by far the littlest Lophophora, adult plants typically reaching just about 2 cm in diameter.

Lophophora diffusa

Lophophora diffusa is a globular spineless cactus with a large tap root. Solitary or forming variable stemmed clumps with few stems or sometimes large mounded groups with several heads. This is the more primitive species of Lophophora.

Lophophora diffusa var. koehresii

Lophophora diffusa var. koehresii is a globular spineless cactus with a large tap root and very interesting flower with pink to brownish colored strips. It differs from the closely related Lophophora diffusa by being a characteristically dark green color.

It is also a smaller size (smaller than any other plant within the entire Lophophora cactus family), and the ribs are more strongly in relief. Although this species usually grows as a single-headed plant in its native habitat, in cultivation with time, once a mature plant reaches 5-6 centimeters in width, pups do begin showing themselves.

Lophophora diffusa subs. kubesae

The Lophophora diffusa subs. kubesae is a globular spineless plant with a large tap root. It is very similar in all aspects to the standard Lophophora diffusa and is not easily distinguishable as a young plant.

The particularity of this subspecies will be revealed only in older specimens that are larger in size and tend to form large multi-headed heaps, up to 1.5 m in diameter (in contrast to the typical single-stemmed L. diffusa specimens).

Lophophora diffusa var. swobodaiana

Lophophora diffusa var. swobodaiana is a globular spineless cactus with a large tap root. It differs from Lophophora diffusa by being a characteristically green-silver color, and the ribs are strongly in relief with hemispherical tubercles.

Lophophora williamsii

Lophophora williamsii is a solitary or (rarely) caespitose, spineless cactus, normally antisepalous but becoming polysepalous with age or injury. Its stem is glaucous green, dull bluish or greyish green, very succulent, globular, top-shaped, or somewhat flattened up to 6 cm tall, 12 cm diameter, with a woolly top.

Lophophora williamsii var. caespitosa

The Latin word “Caespitosa” means “growing in tufts” or “densely clumped”, and refers to the dense tufts of stems. This name is used to indicate a number of clones of horticultural origin characterized by a more or less accentuated production of axillary shoots that in age grow and form huge cushions. The plants called “caespitosa” are vegetatively reproduced and are often hybrid.

Lophophora williamsii var. caespitosa f. variegata

Variegated Lophophora williamsii var. caespitosa is seldom available but coveted by impassioned for the beautiful spineless body stripped in yellow-cream or pink. The odd variegate appears unpredictably in seedling batches in a small percentage and is generally separated from normal plants.

Variegated plants grow more slowly, and are generally smaller than non-variegates. Colored areas are also generally weaker, and more susceptible to fungus, sunburn and other defects. A large well grown variegate Lophophora is truly an achievement. These are harder to grow well than they appear.

Lophophora williamsii var. cristata

Lophophora williamsii var. cristata is a crested form that forms nicely contorted and convoluted brain-like mounds. They are some of the more striking and priced crested cacti. They show different crested shapes each of them has its own particular fascination.

Lophophora williamsii var. fricii

Lophophora williamsii var. fricii is a geophytic, button-like, spineless cactus with a large tap root, and only the apical part of the stem exposed at the soil level. The stems are typically broad and flattened, and large clumps up to 40 cm wide can be produced over time by repeated lateral branching of the original stem and its branches.

It is described as differing from Lophophora williamsii in having a yellowish-grey-green epidermis, a different arrangement of ribs (usually lacking well-defined ribs), and seeds with a coarse testa and a compressed V-shaped hilum. Typically the flowers are carmine-red, but as demonstrated by observing plants in the habitat, the color can be much lighter than that indicated in the description.

Lophophora williamsii var. fricii f. cristata

The beautiful and very rare crested form (Lophophora williamsii var. fricii f. cristata) is sought after by specialized collectors and is impassioned for its unique tufted appearance. It forms low-growing grey-green fan-shaped stems with broad and flat (rarely elevated) tubercles.

Lophophora williamsii var. fricii f. variegata

Variegate Lophophora williamsii var. fricii is seldom available but coveted by impassioned for the beautiful spineless body stripped in yellow, cream or pink. The odd variegate appears unpredictably in seedling batches in a small percentage and is generally separated from normal plants.

Variegated plants grow more slowly, and are generally smaller than non-variegates. Colored areas are also generally weaker, and more susceptible to fungus, sunburn and other defects. A large well grown variegate Lophophora is truly an achievement. These are harder to grow well than they appear.

Lophophora williamsii var. fricii cv. Marbles

The cv. Marbles (also known in cultivation as cv. Big Tubercles or cv. Habermann) differs from standard fricii for its wide well developed rounded tubercles and stems lacking well-defined ribs. It seems to be a pretty variable plant with several clones. A large well-grown Lophophora is truly an achievement. These are harder to grow well than they appear.

Lophophora williamsii var. jourdaniana

Lophophora williamsii var. jourdaniana is a clumping flattened cactus. It slowly forms small clumps up to 15cm in diameter.

Lophophora williamsii var. texana

Lophophora williamsii var. texana (texensis) is the phenotype from the Texas area (USA), this local form has very grey pruinose stems with numerous flat ribs (up to 14 in adult specimens). In cultivation, it forms a beautiful long tuft of wool from the areoles.

Lophophora williamsii cv. Kikko

Lophophora williamsii cv. Kikko is easily distinguishable for its rather wide and long pointed tubercles along the bumped ribs’ edges. It seems to be a pretty variable plant with several clones.

How To Care For Lophophora Cactus

Lophophora cacti have an extremely high level of adaptation, meaning it may not be complicated to care for one at home. However, it’s essential to meet certain prerequisites to ensure the plant’s survival. The care is almost identical to all the species within the Lophophora cactus genus, including the four main species (listed below) and the corresponding sub-species.

Most sources accept the following Lophophora cacti species as part of the genus: Lophophora williamsii, Lophophora diffusa, Lophophora fricii, and Lophophora alberto-vojtechii. The following specifications of care and propagation apply to all species, as they are all found in similar environments.

Light

The Lophophora cactus or “peyote” love bright and warm surroundings. You’ll find them growing under a bush or near another cactus in the wild. Therefore, it is highly recommended to place them in a well-illuminated place and to let them enjoy direct sunlight for at least 3 or four hours daily.

It’s also advisable to keep it in a relatively shady area during the hot summer days. You can place them beside a southern-facing window, but the cactus isn’t that demanding. You can also keep it under a lamp and wait for it to grow as expected.

Watering

Most people tend to overwater their peyote. While watering is essential, it shouldn’t be done too frequently. The phrase “less is more” applies very well to Lophophora cacti. You should wait until the soil is totally dry before watering your cactus again.

You can conduct a test using a tooth stick inside the soil. If the stick doesn’t show signs of humidity once it is out, you know it is time to water your cactus.

Soil

It’s possible to alternate between different options regarding the soil. Still, it should have the following characteristics: 1 part of nutrient-saturated earth and 2 parts of loosening additives. The most common combination is the following, at a 1:1:2 ratio:

• Sod land
• Brick chips
• Perlite

While this is an acceptable combination, other sources advise using the same substratum you’d use for a succulent plant, which is composed of balanced soil combined with sand plus lapillus, or perhaps pozzolan if the previous option is not available.

The soil should have a pH value of around 6-7.

Others recommend pouring a small bit of bone meal into the soil to enhance its characteristics. However, it may not be necessary. Remember to use an appropriate pot for the cactus. It should have enough space for its roots to grow and expand as it grows. Since Lophophora cacti grow very slowly, a long time will pass before you transplant them.

Fertilizing

As for the fertilizer, you can choose different options. Most experts recommend using fertilizers intended for cacti, but you can also use fertilizer for succulent plants if the former option isn’t available in your area yet. It’s recommended to provide the fertilizer in the vegetative period, every 20 or 30 days.

Climate

All Lophophora cacti can survive in hot and cold temperatures. In their natural environment, they spend their days in hot, direct sunlight and their nights in the cold. Still, keeping an eye on the soil and ensuring it is dry during the colder months is advisable. In the winter, you can keep it inside your home, in a slightly heated room.

Pests and Diseases

It’s very rare for a Lophophora cactus to get sick. Likewise, insects are unlikely to find their new home (or food) in this plant. Perhaps the biggest preoccupation of plant growers is that, sometimes, the cactus seems to have “stopped growing.” This is not true, mainly because Lophophora cacti have a very slow growth – typically between 5-10 millimeters per year.

Pruning

Lophophora cactus doesn’t need pruning very often. You can remove flowers and branches that have become withered when necessary. This way, your cactus can continue growing healthy.

Potting and Repotting

It’s recommended to sow, plant, or repot your Lophophora cactus during the spring or fall, specifically whenever the temperatures are between 15-20ºC (or 59-68ºF). The air should have high humidity levels, and it’s also advisable to use a plastic film to cover the soil while the seeds begin to germinate. You can remove it once you start seeing sprouts.

It’s also recommendable to utilize permeable clay flowerpots. It’s recommended to use a mid-sized flowerpot where the cactus can develop its roots, but water doesn’t accumulate very much. Plus, remember to keep the soil in direct sunlight and disinfect it before planting your Lophophora cactus.

If you want to keep it in the garden, make sure to place your cactus in an area where direct sunlight reaches it. If needed, replace the soil for better water permeability.

Propagating Lophophora Cactus

As for the propagation of the Lophophora cactus, there are different methods, including “division” and “grafting.” Above, we’ve mentioned how you can use the seed for the same purpose (read the “potting and repotting” section).

1. Division: You can divide by cutting off either the tip or lateral branches of the cactus’ stem. It’s recommended to use a knife. Then, you can plant the cut part in the soil. Wait for a while, and you’ll start noticing how small shoots will start growing in the cut area. Once you notice that a shoot grows to an appropriate size, you can cut it off and use it to create a new cactus.
2. Graft:  You can graft your Lophophora cactus by using a rootstock (it should be a suitable one, such as a pitahaya stem). Cut the tip of it, and put your Lophophora cactus (without roots) in the center area of the rootstock. Make them stick together using a rope. Wait for a couple of weeks, and now the two parts should start growing together. You can now remove the rope.