Chin cactus (grafted “moon cactus”) Gymnocalycium mihanovichii
Chin cactus (grafted “moon cactus”) (Gymnocalycium mihanovichii) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Cactaceae family, native to The Chaco of Paraguay. It grows 4–8 cm (2–3 in) tall and 4–8 cm (2–3 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and low water, and is hardy to about 4 °C (39 °F). Space plants about 8 cm (3 in) apart.
Plan Chin cactus (grafted “moon cactus”) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Chin cactus (grafted “moon cactus”) at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Mature height | 4–8 cm (2–3 in) |
| Mature spread | 4–8 cm (2–3 in) |
| Spacing | 8 cm (3 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 4 °C (39 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | about 104–156 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | The Chaco of Paraguay |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇷 Argentina, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇰🇷 South Korea, 🇹🇭 Thailand |
Is Chin cactus (grafted “moon cactus”) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Chin cactus (grafted “moon cactus”)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and low water.
Questions about Chin cactus (grafted “moon cactus”)
- How far apart should I plant Chin cactus (grafted “moon cactus”)?
- About 8 cm (3 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–8 cm (2–3 in).
- Does Chin cactus (grafted “moon cactus”) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Chin cactus (grafted “moon cactus”) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Chin cactus (grafted “moon cactus”)?
- It tolerates about 4 °C (39 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Chin cactus (grafted “moon cactus”) flower?
- About 104–156 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.
- Is Chin cactus (grafted “moon cactus”) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous.
- What grows well with Chin cactus (grafted “moon cactus”)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Chin cactus (grafted “moon cactus”). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- LLIFLE Encyclopedia of Cacti and Succulents, LLIFLE (Living Encyclopedia), Italy
Notes and assumptions
- In frosty climates it is a classic pot plant for a bright windowsill, put outside in summer.
- A small, grey-green ribbed ball banded with red-brown, with pale pink flowers. Japanese and Korean growers found mutants with no chlorophyll, bright red, orange or yellow, which cannot live on their own and are sold grafted onto a green dragon-fruit cactus stem as “moon cactus”.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Prickly pear (nopal) Opuntia ficus-indica
- Golden barrel cactus Echinocactus grusonii
- Saguaro Carnegiea gigantea
- Fishhook barrel cactus Ferocactus wislizeni
- Teddy-bear cholla Cylindropuntia bigelovii
- Engelmann's prickly pear Opuntia engelmannii
- Organ pipe cactus Stenocereus thurberi
- Mexican giant cardón Pachycereus pringlei