Parodia haselbergii, commonly called the Scarlet Ball Cactus, is native to the grasslands and rocky outcrops of southern Brazil. It grows in free-draining soils with high sun exposure, experiencing seasonal rainfall and cooler, drier winters.
The plant forms a solitary, spherical stem densely covered in fine white spines, giving it a woolly appearance. The stem is bright to dark green and marked with well-defined ribs. Over time, mature plants may produce small offsets around the base, forming loose clusters.
Flowering occurs in warmer months, producing vivid scarlet-red blooms from the crown, often in succession over the season. These striking flowers contrast sharply with the white spination, making it a popular choice for cactus collections.
Care Tips:
Light: Full sun to bright light for strong growth and abundant flowering.
Water: Water deeply when the soil is dry during the growing season; keep almost dry in winter.
Humidity: Prefers low humidity.
Media: Use a very free-draining cactus mix with coarse sand or grit.
Fertiliser: Feed monthly during active growth with a diluted low-nitrogen cactus fertiliser.
Temperature: Can tolerate short periods down to around 0 °C if kept dry; ideal range is 15-27 °C.
Repotting: Repot every 2-3 years in spring, refreshing the mix and checking root health.
Shipping and Biosecurity Information
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Dispatch:
Orders are dispatched on a rolling basis.
Most orders ship within 3–5 business days, depending on biosecurity processing, weather, and order size.
Express Shipping speeds up transit after dispatch only.
Biosecurity Fees:
WA & TAS: $20 per order
NT: $10 per order
Fees are included at checkout and cover mandatory plant health certification.
Important:
A physical address is required for certification (delivery to PO Boxes is still allowed).
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