Parodia scopa – The Silver Ball Cactus

A silver globe topped with golden blooms

Parodia scopa, sold as the Silver Ball Cactus and formerly classified as Notocactus scopa, is a compact cactus native to the grasslands of southern Brazil and Uruguay. Its rounded body is covered in dense white spines and is topped with bright yellow flowers in spring. Because it grows slowly and stays small, this cactus is suitable for tables, windowsills, and mixed succulent trays.

Size, spines and flowers

A mature plant usually reaches a height of about 10 to 15 cm. The spines are soft and feathery, yet they are sharp, so handle the plant with gloves or a folded paper strip. It rarely produces offsets, so new plants are usually grown from seed, which requires patience.

Light, Temperature and Placement

Give it bright light with light shade from harsh afternoon sun. Indoors, keep it close to a south- or west-facing window so it gets plenty of light. Outdoors, morning sun is ideal. It enjoys warm weather, and a cool, dry rest in winter will help it bloom later. However, never expose it to frost.

Watering, Soil, and Feeding

Water the plant well until it drains, then let the soil dry out fully before you water again.Use a hard cactus mix with extra pumice or coarse sand, and choose a pot with drainage holes. During the winter, water lightly, once a month or less. During the growing season, a diluted cactus fertilizer once every four to six weeks is sufficient.

Common Problems and Easy Solutions

• Soft, mushy base: Caused by overwatering. Stop watering, let the soil dry, and repot in fresh gritty mix if needed.
• Stretched, pale growth: The plant needs more light. Move it gradually to a brighter window.
• No flowers: Poor light or skipping the cool winter break is usually the reason. Give brighter light and reduce winter watering.
• Scorched patches: Strong afternoon sun. Shift it to filtered light.

Order From Haniplants

Every cactus at Haniplants is nursery-grown and packed carefully, so it reaches you in healthy condition. Explore more plants in our cactus collection to build a matching display.