Astrophytum asterias (Star Cactus, Sand Dollar Cactus)

Astrophytum asterias in 4 inch plastic pot. The plant you see is the plant you get! Astrophytum asterias is a rare species of cacti that has a listed conservation status of “vulnerable” due to human development, invasive feral pig damage, and illegal poaching. All my Astrophytum are sourced from reputable nurseries that grow from seed or are grown from seed myself. Astrophytum asterias is native to Southern Texas and Northern Mexico, and it is popular among plant breeders and collectors, as hybridization can result in a wide variety of unique patterns on the cactus, some of which are rarer and more valuable than others. The plant can be grown outside, ideally in a partially shaded environment, or indoors on a windowsill or anywhere inside with the use of a grow light. Allow the soil to dry fully between waterings. Watering can be done at higher frequencies in Spring and Summer, the active growing season of the plant, but should be done far less often in fall and winter. Always allow soil to dry completely and then some! A cactus fertilizer that is low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus/calcium can be used during its growing season. If you buy two, you can manually pollinate them with a q-tip or makeup brush to harvest your own seeds and create your own hybrids! The more you have, the higher the chances that two are flowering at once. The flowers on these are also incredibly beautiful, yet short lived. Thats okay though, because they provide year long interest with their fascinating patterns. Please check out my page for my plants, and thank you for viewing! :)