Parodia Haselbergii
Parodia haselbergii
📖 About this plant
Parodia haselbergii, commonly called Scarlet Ball Cactus or Red Crown Cactus, is a delightful small cactus that becomes a ball of golden fire when in bloom. The small, round green body is covered in attractive white and amber spines, but its true glory comes in spring when it produces a crown of large, brilliant golden-yellow to orange flowers that sit right on top of the plant like a colorful hat. The flowers are remarkably large relative to the tiny body and can last for weeks. Unlike many cacti that bloom briefly, this species often produces multiple flushes of flowers throughout spring and early summer.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Bright Indirect Light to Full Sun
When soil is completely dry (every 2-3 weeks, sparingly in winter)
25-40%
10-30°C (50-85°F)
Well-draining cactus mix with added perlite and pumice
Diluted cactus fertilizer 2-3 times during growing season
🌐 Common Names
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul) and Uruguay
- 📏 Max height
- 10-15 cm (4-6 in) tall, 5-10 cm (2-4 in) diameter
- 📐 Spread
- Solitary or slowly clustering, 10-15 cm (4-6 in) wide
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Spring to early summer (prolonged blooming)
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Brilliant golden-yellow to orange flowers 4-5 cm wide, forming a crown on the apex
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Small, spherical to slightly elongated bright green body with dense white and amber spines
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial (15-30+ years)
- 📈 Growth rate
- Slow
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Spines are sharp — physical hazard; non-toxic internally
- 🌱 Propagation
- Offsets (pups) separated from the base; seeds possible but slow
🛡️ Health & Safety
Spines are sharp — physical hazard; non-toxic internally
Common issues
- Root rot from overwatering especially in winter
- not flowering due to insufficient light or warm winter
- spider mites
- mealybugs at the base
- shriveling from extended underwatering
💡 Care tips
- Provide a cool, dry winter rest (5-10°C/40-50°F) to trigger abundant spring flowering.
- This cactus blooms at a young age — even small 3 cm specimens can produce flowers.
- The golden flower crown is most impressive when viewed from above, so display at eye level.
- Excellent for cactus collections, windowsills, and miniature gardens.
- Water very sparingly from November to February.
