Moderate Cactus Safe for pets

Bishop's Cap Cactus

Astrophytum myriostigma

A spineless, star-shaped cactus resembling a bishop's miter, covered in delicate white flecks.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 10 days
Light

Full sun
Humidity

20–40 %
Temperature

7–30 °C

How to care for your Bishop's Cap Cactus

Everything you need to keep your Bishop's Cap Cactus healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

The Bishop's Cap Cactus is a highly ornamental, spineless globular cactus with a distinctive star-shaped body, usually having five prominent ribs. Its surface is covered in numerous tiny, white, woolly flecks (trichomes) that give it a unique, often mottled appearance and help protect it from intense sun. It produces charming yellow flowers from its apex. This cactus requires abundant sunlight and a very well-draining, mineral-rich soil mix. Water carefully during the growing season and keep dry during winter dormancy.

Watering your Bishop's Cap Cactus

Every 10 days

Water thoroughly when soil is completely dry.

How to know it needs water

Soil completely dry
Slightly less plump body

How much light a Bishop's Cap Cactus needs

Full sun

Bright direct sun to partial sun

Direct sun tolerated: 6 to 12 h a day
Orientations that suit it: South, South-east, South-west, East, West

Humidity and misting

20–40 %

Low Not needed. Avoid wetting the fuzzy scales.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 45 days

Apply every 6-8 weeks during spring and summer; none in winter.

Recommended feed: Low-nitrogen cactus fertilizer · 2-7-7

Repotting your Bishop's Cap Cactus

Every 24 months

Use a very gritty, well-draining cactus mix. Avoid deep planting.

When: Spring
Potting mix: Cactus and succulent mix
Mix in: pumice, coarse sand

The tell-tale signs

Root-bound
Stunted growth
Soil compaction

Pruning your Bishop's Cap Cactus

Not applicable. N/A

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 25 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 7 in the growing season.

25 J
20 F
15 M
8 A
7 M
7 J
7 J
7 A
8 S
12 O
20 N
25 D

Active growth · Days between waterings

Good to know

Distinctive star-shaped body, typically with 5 ribs
Covered in tiny white flecks (trichomes) that protect it from sun
Lacks spines, making it safe to handle.

Frequently asked questions about the Bishop's Cap Cactus

How do you care for a Bishop's Cap Cactus?

Water it every 10 days. Give it full sun. Ideal humidity: 20–40 %. Ideal temperature: 7–30 °C. Water thoroughly when soil is completely dry.

How often should you water a Bishop's Cap Cactus?

Every 10 days Water thoroughly when soil is completely dry. How to know it needs water : Soil completely dry ; Slightly less plump body.

How much light does a Bishop's Cap Cactus need?

Full sun Bright direct sun to partial sun 6 to 12 h a day

Is the Bishop's Cap Cactus toxic to cats and dogs?

No, the Bishop's Cap Cactus is not listed as toxic to cats and dogs. That is still no reason to let your pets chew on it.

Why are my Bishop's Cap Cactus leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Bishop's Cap Cactus?

Repot every 24 months, ideally in spring. Use a very gritty, well-draining cactus mix. Avoid deep planting.