Habitat and Ecology
​Lophophora williamsii, commonly known as Peyote, is a geophytic (growing near or beneath the soil surface), spineless cactus native to the limestone deserts of South Texas, USA, and Northern Mexico (including the Chihuahuan Desert and Tamaulipan Thornscrub). It typically grows embedded in rocky or gravelly, calcareous (limestone) soils on low hills and alluvial flats, often partially shaded by nurse shrubs. This cactus has a large, fleshy taproot to anchor the plant and store water, allowing it to survive in arid environments and endure long periods of drought.
​Description
​This is an iconic, highly distinctive, and extremely slow-growing cactus. The above-ground portion, known as the "button" or crown, is typically small, globular, and flattened, growing almost flush with the soil surface, reaching about 5-12 cm (2-5 inches) in diameter. The body is spineless, with a unique blue-green to grayish-green colour and subtle, often straight or spiralling ribs (defined sections). Soft tufts of whitish or yellowish woolly hairs emerge from the apex of the ribs. The plant produces small, delicate, pink or white star-shaped flowers that emerge from the woolly centre during the warmer months. These are followed by small, club-shaped, edible pinkish berries.
​Cultivation
​Lophophora williamsii is a specialised collector's item due to its extreme slow growth and habitat requirements. It needs the sunniest, warmest spot available, such as a south-facing windowsill or a sunny greenhouse. While mature plants are drought-tolerant, they thrive on neglect rather than constant moisture. Use an extremely gritty, mineral-rich, and fast-draining substrate (loam-based compost mixed with limestone grit, pumice, and coarse sand) in a terracotta pot to promote quick drying. Water sparingly during the growing season (spring/summer), allowing the soil to completely dry out between waterings. In winter, keep the plant cool and almost completely dry to mimic its dormant period.
​Optimal Daytime Temperature (Growing Season): 21-2 C (70-80 F)
​Minimum Winter Temperature (Dormancy): Around 10 C (50 F); the plant should be kept dry to prevent rot.
​Avoid high humidity and ensure excellent air circulation, especially when temperatures are cooler. Do not fertilise young plants; mature specimens only require minimal, very dilute feeding.
​Unique Features
​Lophophora williamsii is renowned for being one of the slowest-growing cacti in cultivation, making any specimen highly valuable due to the decades required to reach maturity. Its soft, spineless, globe-like form and fuzzy tufts offer a unique aesthetic contrast to spiny cacti. The subtle beauty of the small, pink flowers emerging from the woolly crown is a rewarding seasonal sight. Its deep taproot and ability to pull itself into the ground during drought are fascinating biological adaptations.
​Specifications
​Plant Size: established adult plants 5-7 cm across.
​Plant Family: Cactaceae
​Plant Passport: A Lophophora williamsii B 140084 C [user input] D GB