Gym Ball Chin Cactus

Gym Ball Chin Cactus (Gymnocalycium anisitsii subsp. damsii) is a neat globular cactus that stays around 15cm tall and wide, so it lives happily on a windowsill or in a rockery pocket for years. Glossy dark green ribs carry pale banding, and mature plants open surprisingly large white to soft pink flowers at the crown. It is about as low maintenance as a plant gets, provided you resist the watering can.

Why you'll love it

• It stays small. At roughly 15cm in each direction it never outgrows a decorative pot or a spot on a shelf.
• Flowers you do not expect. Large white to pale pink blooms sit above the body in the warmer months, often several in a season.
• Tolerant of neglect. Drought tolerant, heat tolerant and comfortable in poor soil, so it survives holidays, hot windows and forgetfulness.
• Happier out of harsh sun. Unlike desert cacti it colours best in bright light with shade from hard afternoon sun, which suits a lot of Australian windowsills.

Where it works best

Pots and containers. A shallow 100mm to 150mm pot with a drainage hole is ideal. Cacti flower better slightly snug, so resist anything oversized.

Indoors on a bright sill. An east facing window is close to perfect: strong morning light, no harsh afternoon sun. This is how most of the country will grow it.

Rockeries and balconies. In frost free gardens it suits a raised gravel pocket or a courtyard grouping, planted 20cm apart with other small succulents.

Growing Gym Ball Chin Cactus in Australia

Position and climate. Bright light with some shade from harsh afternoon sun. It is frost tender, so outdoors it is limited to frost free gardens in subtropical, warm temperate, arid and Mediterranean zones. Anywhere with real winter cold, grow it in a pot and bring it under cover.

Soil. A proper cactus and succulent mix, or standard potting mix cut with an equal part of coarse sand or fine gravel. Drainage is the whole game here.

Water. Soak thoroughly, empty the saucer, then let the mix dry right through before the next drink: every two to three weeks in summer, monthly or less over winter. More cacti are killed by kindness than by drought.

Feed and repotting. A low nitrogen cactus fertiliser twice over spring and summer encourages flowering. Repot every three or four years into a pot only slightly larger, handling the spines with folded newspaper or thick gloves.

What to expect when it arrives

It is sold as tube stock, so expect a young plant a few centimetres across rather than a flowering specimen, and give it two to three years in a bright spot before you look for buds. Tube stock is economical enough to buy in numbers, and most customers order several and build a grouping, which looks better than one cactus alone.

Cacti travel better than almost anything else we send. Leave yours dry for a week after unpacking so any handling damage seals over, then water normally. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95, and every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full cactus range for companions in the same pot.
• Read our guide to low maintenance cacti.
• See the wider succulents and cacti collection.
• Get the pot right with our guide to choosing pot sizes.

Common questions

How often should I water it?

Every two to three weeks in summer, monthly or less in winter, and only once the mix is dry all the way through. A soft or discoloured base means too much water, not too little.

Why has it not flowered?

Usually age or light. Plants generally need two to three years and a genuinely bright position, plus a cool, dry winter rest to set buds for the following season.

Is it safe around pets and children?

The spines make it unsuitable at floor level or anywhere small hands and curious animals reach. Keep it on a high shelf or a bench.