Coin cactus Plant Care
Copiapoa hypogaea F.Ritter
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Copiapoa hypogaea, the underground copiapoa, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Copiapoa in the cactus family (Cactaceae), native to northern Chile. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Full sun
At a glance
How do you care for Coin cactus?
Coin cactus grows best in full sun.
Where Is the Coin cactus Native To?
What Is the Coin cactus?
Coin cactus (Copiapoa hypogaea) belongs to the Cactaceae family within the Copiapoa genus. Coin cactus is native to northern Chile. Coin cactus is also known as Turtle cactus.
Coin cactus displays a solitary, globular cactus growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Coin cactus produces yellow flowers in summer.
What Light Does the Coin cactus Need?
Coin cactus thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Coin cactus?
Sandy, well-draining cactus mix with perlite and coarse sand. Good drainage is essential for Coin cactus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Coin cactus?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Coin cactus?
Coin cactus can be propagated through seeds, offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to copiapoa plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Coin cactus Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Coin cactus, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Coin cactus?
Coin cactus is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Coin cactus is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Copiapoa genus — compare its care with other Copiapoa species on PlantoScan.
Copiapoa is part of the Cactaceae plant family — browse all Cactaceae genera and species.
Coin cactus thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Copiapoa hypogaea F.Ritter, family Cactaceae (first published in in Cactus (Paris) 66: 19. 1960.) — World Flora Online record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Coin cactus, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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