The Nine-Tailed Fox Plant or Fox Tail Cactus captivates flower and plant enthusiasts with its unique and enchanting beauty.
The Nine-Tailed Fox Plant is a type of succulent belonging to the cactus family, originating from Bolivia. The plant has a cylindrical body, with a diameter of about 2 cm and can grow up to 1.5 meters in length. When mature, the plant’s body is covered with long white hairs, resembling a fox’s tail. This is the reason why this plant is named the Nine-Tailed Fox Plant or Fox Tail Cactus.
A Nine-Tailed Fox Plant has a gracefully soft and eye-catching form. (Photo: Toutitao)
Not only does it have a unique shape, but the Nine-Tailed Fox Plant also blooms beautifully after about two years of cultivation. Its flowers are bright red and typically bloom in the summer and autumn. With proper care, each plant can produce dozens of lovely flowers, adorning the plant’s graceful fox tail.
The soft body covered with white hairs makes the Nine-Tailed Fox Plant very attractive. (Photo: Toutitao)
In feng shui, the Nine-Tailed Fox Plant is often placed in gardens or hung on balconies facing Northwest to attract wealth and good fortune for the owner. Many believe that owning this unique cactus will bring happiness and smooth sailing in romantic relationships.
How to Grow the Nine-Tailed Fox Plant at Home
The Fox Tail Cactus can bloom beautifully after 2 years. (Photo: Toutitao).
Selecting Suitable Soil
The Fox Tail Cactus thrives in soil with good aeration. You can mix peat soil and pearl rock in a 1:1 ratio, adding a small amount of organic fertilizer, such as decomposed cake fertilizer, sheep manure, or chicken manure. The organic fertilizer usually makes up about 1/10 to enhance soil fertility. Nutrient-rich soil will help the tail of the plant grow quickly and develop well.
When planting the Fox Tail Cactus, it is advisable to use ceramic pots to ensure good aeration. The pot should not be too large. As a succulent, this plant has a relatively high drought tolerance. Placing the plant in a pot that is too large will hinder water control and increase the risk of water accumulation, leading to root rot.
The pot size should be just enough for the plant’s body and roots to spread. Additionally, attention should be paid to the harmony between the plant size and the pot. You can place a ceramic or porcelain fox figurine in the pot to create a scene with the tails cascading down.
The pot for the Nine-Tailed Fox Plant should not be too large to avoid waterlogging. (Photo: Toutitao).
Watering and Caring for the Plant
When watering the Nine-Tailed Fox Plant, it is essential to pay attention to the appropriate amount, avoiding overwatering to prevent root rot. You can check the soil moisture with your finger before watering. Water only when the surface of the soil is dry, providing just enough moisture for the soil.
During different seasons and weather conditions, the frequency and amount of watering should also be adjusted accordingly.
As the Nine-Tailed Fox Plant grows many tails, it becomes challenging to observe the soil in the pot because the root system is relatively dense at this time, and the roots are directly related to the mature tail. At this point, you should insert a stick or chopstick into the soil before watering, leave it for about 30 minutes, then pull it out to check if the soil is dry. If it is dry, timely add water to avoid the soil becoming completely dry.
Avoid letting the soil for the Fox Tail Cactus become completely dry. (Photo: Toutitao).
Fertilizing the Plant
The Nine-Tailed Fox Plant requires adequate nutrients and proper fertilization during its growth period. You can use potassium dihydrogen phosphate or slow-release fertilizers (low nitrogen, high phosphorus, and potassium), both of which are suitable for the fertilization needs of the Fox Tail Cactus. Potassium dihydrogen phosphate needs to be mixed with water at a ratio of 1:1,000 for watering the roots during the growing season, and applied about every two weeks. Slow-release fertilizer should be sprinkled directly on the soil surface, at a dosage of about 20-30 granules.
This plant does not have high fertilizer needs, so avoid over-fertilizing, as this could cause the stems to elongate, become soft, and prone to breakage or lead to other diseases.
Proper fertilization can promote the healthy growth of the Nine-Tailed Fox Plant and maintain the thick, hairy appearance of its “tail.” This is also a way to encourage more flowering.
With proper care, the plant will bloom beautifully. (Photo: Toutitao).
Appropriate Lighting
The Fox Tail Cactus prefers environments with plenty of light but not direct harsh sunlight. Excessive or insufficient light will affect the plant’s growth and flowering. If placed in the shade and lacking light, the plant will not develop hairs and will have difficulty blooming.
During different seasons and weather conditions, light conditions also vary, so suitable adjustments need to be made according to actual situations. You should maintain a temperature range of 25 – 28 degrees Celsius and an environment with plenty of light.
This is a light-loving plant. (Photo: Toutitao).
