Boobie Cactus “Myrtillocactus Geometrizans” Plant Care Guide

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no cost to you.

Are you looking for that wow plant that makes people do a double take? Boobie Cactus also known as Myrtillocactus Geometrizans is an easygoing plant that is so fun and unique. I had to grab one of these when I first heard about them.

Here are the main things you need to know to take care of Boobie Cactus.

Water. Water Boobie Cactus when the soil is completely dried out.
Light. Place in bright indirect light. This plant can also manage some direct sunlight.
Fertilizer. Feed your plant fertilizer during the active growing season (March-October). Feed every watering or bi-weekly or once a month.
Humidity. This plant does not require special humidity.

Here’s what to know to keep Boobie Cactus thriving in your home.

Light

Boobie Cactus is a cactus, therefore it needs light. This isn’t one of those plants you can put in a dark corner in your house.

Cactus are already such a slow growing plant so you want to give it the best lighting conditions so it grows as fast as it can. The best spot for this plant would be near a south facing window or under plant grow lights. South facing windows get the brightest, hottest, most intense sunlight of the day which is why I always recommend this spot for plants with high light needs.

I have my Boobie Cactus sitting under T5 Barrina plant grow lights which are on 13 hours per day from 8AM-9pm. Plant grow lights are a great option for people who don’t have enough sunlight coming into their home. I use plant grow lights in three different areas in my house. I put these grow lights in two cabinets and one set of grow lights on a shelf in a spot in my home that gets zero sunlight.

Water

Boobie Cactus needs water when the soil is completely dried out. I can also tell this plant needs water when the cactus starts to look a little shriveled up. This happens because the plant is losing water and is thirsty.

Check your plants moisture level by using an index finger or moisture meter. If using an index finger, all you have to do is stick your finger in about two inches deep.

If the soil is dry, it’s time for a thorough watering. If using a moisture meter, don’t water until the moisture meter reads almost all the way to the dry side.

Once you’ve had your plant for a few months, you probably won’t even need to check the plants soil all the time.

Soil

Boobie Cactus need well-draining soil that isn’t dense or compact. I can’t think of any plant that wants to sit in heavy soil, which is usually what Home Depot or Lowes plants come in.

A simple Boobie Cactus soil recipe is 40% coco coir, 30% orchid bark, 20% chunky perlite, and 10% worm castings.

You can also buy houseplant mix that is already made and ready to go.

A brand I recommend and use is Ivy and May’s Redwoods Houseplant And Aroid Potting mix. This mix comes from triple ground redwood from sustainably managed forests and includes triply ground redwood bark, Douglas fir bark, perlite, worm castings, and essential oil.

Temperature

Boobie Cactus do well in any home that is between temperatures of 60 degrees F to 90 degrees (15 degrees Celsius to 32 degrees Celsius).

Fertilizer

Plants need fertilizer to get the nutrients it doesn’t get in your home, but would otherwise get in the wild. Fertilizer is crucial for plant growth and the longevity of your houseplants.

I use and recommend Dyna-Gro Grow, an affordable high quality fertilizer that lasts a long time. All I do is mix 1/4 teaspoon with a gallon of water and use this to water all of my houseplants. My plants are booming with growth and I credit a lot of that to this fertilizer.

I’m a little extra and also like to use Liqui-Dirt plant food.

This is technically not a fertilizer but just a plant food. Liqui-Dirt claims that their product can replace your fertilizer, so it’s up to you if you use this as your only fertilizer, even though it’s technically not a fertilizer. You can use Liqui-Dirt for your hydroponics, leca, aquaponics, or indoor and outdoor soil. Liqi-Dirt is pet-safe and has no odors or chemicals.

Humidity

Boobie Cactus does not need any special humidity since it is a cactus.

Propagation

Boobie Cactus requires a type of propagation that is very different from most plants. To properly propagate Boobie Cactus, you have to cut off a top chunk of the cactus and let the plant callus over. This step is important because it increases the chances of having a successful propagation.

Once the cactus has callused over, you can transfer the cutting to a pot of well-draining soil. Put in a spot getting bright sunlight and water well. Keep an eye on your plant for the next few weeks.

Boobie Cactus Common Questions

Is Boobie Cactus rare?

Boobie Cactus is not a rare plant, but you also probably won’t find this plant at a big box store like Lowes or Home Depot. I found my plant from a local plant seller on Facebook.

How much is a Boobie Cactus?

I bought a Boobie Cactus pictured in this post for $20. I’ve seen these widely vary in price depending on where you’re buying it from and how big the plant is.

How do you care for Boobie Cactus?

Caring for Boobie Cactus is easy. Make sure to place this plant in a spot getting very bright light like a south facing window and only water when the soil completely dries out. Your watering schedule will probably look like once every two weeks. You’ll know if your plant needs more water because the cactus will start to appear shriveled.

Is Boobie Cactus hard to care for?

Boobie Cactus is one of the easiest plants to take care of and this plant looks so cool – so you gotta get it!

Is Boobie Cactus a fast grower?

Boobie Cactus is a cactus which means it’s slow growing. I’ve had my plant for a year and it’s maybe grown 1-2 inches. Make sure to place your plant in a spot getting very bright light and regularly fertilize.

How big do Boobie Cactus get?

I’ve only seen Boobie Cactus in person get to about 10 inches tall. However, when I did research for this post I found people saying that their plant can get up to 15 feet tall. I’m skeptical because I haven’t seen any pictures of a Boobie Cactus that tall, but it could be true.

How do you propagate Boobie Cactus?

Propagating Boobie Cactus is different than most plants. You simply cut off the top of the Boobie Cactus, let it callus over, and then plant it into some well-draining houseplant dirt.

Is Boobie Cactus toxic to pets?

No, this plant is not toxic to pets. You can get more information on toxic and pet-friendly plants at ASPCA here.

Common pests

I’ve never had pest pressures on my Boobie Cactus and I haven’t heard anyone else have problems with it. However, there are a few important things to know.

Before ever bringing a plant home, check the soil and foliage of the plant for pests. You don’t want to bring any pests home so do your best to check the plant first. If the plant doesn’t have visible bugs, bring it home and quarantine the plant from others. This means that you put this plant in a room with no other plants because in a week or two, pests could start to become visible and you don’t want to risk your other plants.

I’ll be honest, I used to quarantine my plants but now I’m crazy and take the risk.

To prevent pest pressures in the home, take advantage of pest killers. I use and recommend both Azamax and Bonide Systemic Granules. Azamax is a natural pest killer that I use in the form of a spray bottle. Bonide Systemic Granules are tiny little granules that I sprinkle on top of my plants soil. They both work well and I’ve never had a serious pest issue.

Common issues

Yellowing leaves: If your Boobie Cactus starts to yellow, this may mean your plant is getting too much water. Make sure to only water this cactus when the soil completely dries out. This is not the kind of plant you want to water every three days. This is more like the type of plant you water once every two weeks.

Shriveled look: If your Boobie Cactus starts to look shriveled up, your plant is most likely thirsty. This is a telltale sign that your plant needs water and not just a few drops – it needs a good drink under the sink. Think about cactus in the desert – they experience insane monsoon seasons and heavy rain but go through long periods of drought.

Key Points To Remember

Boobie Cactus is such a fun plant and it’s definitely one of my favorites. If you’re looking for an easygoing plant, this is the plant for you.

Here are the key things to remember for Boobie Cactus

Place in a spot getting bright sunlight (south, east, west facing windows), preferable south facing windows
Water once the soil is completely dried out (typically once every two weeks)
Fertilize during the active growing season with something like Dyna Gro