The Road Kill Cactus ‘Consolea Rubescens’

Consolea Rubescens is native to Mexico and thrives in desert areas with full sunshine and low humidity. This tree-like succulent is an excellent addition to any outdoor succulent gardens or patios.

Family:	Cactaceae
Genus:	Consolea
Scientific Name:	Consolea Rubescens
Other Names:	Road Kill Cactus, Opuntia Rubescens, Consolea Catacantha
Growth Season:	Spring and Summer Seasons
Preferred Temperature:	-1 degree to -3 degrees Celsius
Hardiness Zone:	USDA Hardiness Zones 9a to 11b
Average Mature Height & Width:	20 feet tall and a trunk diameter of 15 centimeters
Dormancy:	Winter Season
Toxicity:	Consolea Rubescens is non-toxic to both humans and animals. You don’t need to worry about leaving your pets or kids around this succulent.

The Road Kill Cactus Physical Characteristics

Consolea Rubescens is considered to have a unique appearance and tree-like growth habit. It is spineless, has soft green pads, and with bombs all over it. Each pad is thin and almost flattened.

The name ‘Road Kill Cactus’ reflects the tire tracks images across its pads. Each trunk has new cladodes and gives the leaves a messy appearance at the top. The unsegmented, round, or straight stems give the Consolea Rubescens a distinguished appearance.

Part of the succulent’s overall health is checking on its roots. It is crucial to check for any discoloration on the roots as it can indicate infestation. During the summer season, Consolea Rubescens produces double yellow to orange flowers that red fruits will eventually follow. 

The Road Kill Cactus Care

Always check if the soil is dried before watering. This practice will help in avoiding root rot for your Consolea Rubescens. You may provide 0.8 cups of water every 12 days for your succulent if you don’t get any direct sunlight.

Consolea Rubescens is drought tolerant and only needs watering once a week during summer. Consolea Rubescens thrives under full sunlight.

Remember to use a well-draining soil mixture for this type of succulent. You may feed your Consolea Rubescens with highly diluted all-purpose fertilizer to provide sufficient nutrients to grow fully. Make sure that you only feed your succulent during its growing season. 

DO YOU KNOW? Caring (propagating, pruning/trimming, beheading, watering, …) is a set of skills that is applicable to almost every succulent. Read the in-depth succulent care guide right here >>

Richard from Succulent City

The Road Kill Cactus Growth

Consolea Rubescens can be propagated through seeds and cuttings. When propagating through cuttings, use clean garden scissors to avoid contamination. It is also essential to allow the cuttings to be calloused before replanting to kill bacteria or diseases.

Consolea Rubescens requires minimal pruning. Removing any dying or dead leaves or part of your succulent is essential for the entire plant to have enough nutrients. Pruning also helps to improve the appearance of your Consolea Rubescens by maintaining its size and shape.

This succulent doesn’t require much repotting. You only need to repot your Consolea Rubescens when it grows bigger than its actual pot. Choose twice as extensive as its current pot to allow your succulent to grow fully.

Do not forget to take this opportunity to use fresh soil when repotting to improve drainage and avoid root rot. It is rare for Consolea Rubescens to get infested but to be safe, watch out for scale insects that might cause damage to your succulent.

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