# Peyote (Lophophora williamsii)

> Native to the arid limestone scrublands of Mexico and southern Texas, this spineless, blue-green geophytic cactus grows as a depressed, ribbed, button-shaped stem. In place of sharp spines, its areoles bear distinctive tufts of soft white trichomes, anchored underground by a massive, carrot-like taproot. It is a legendary, extremely slow-growing collector's cactus that produces delicate pinkish-white flowers from its apical wool throughout the warm months.

- **Scientific Name:** *Lophophora williamsii*
- **Botanical Family:** Cactaceae
- **Care Difficulty:** Expert (4/5)
- **Cold Hardiness:** -4°C (25°F) (USDA Zone 9b) - Strictly conditional upon the substrate being completely bone dry during winter rest.
- **Pet Safety / Toxicity:** Toxic to Pets (May cause irritation or toxicity if ingested by cats/dogs)
- **Canonical URL:** https://sukulentler.com/en/species/lophophora-williamsii
- **Markdown Source:** https://sukulentler.com/en/species/lophophora-williamsii.md
- **Botanical Photo:** https://sukulentler.com/assets/images/articles/species_lophophora_williamsii.webp?v=1794394883

## Light & Sun Exposure

Prefers bright, filtered sunlight or light dappled shade. Intense, direct scorching midday sun can stress and burn the tender epidermis; bright, diffused illumination is ideal.

## Watering Schedule & Method

Its thick taproot is exceptionally prone to rot. Water thoroughly using the soak-and-dry method during active summer growth only when substrate is completely desiccated; keep bone dry throughout winter dormancy.

## Soil & Gritty Mix Formula

85-90% Inorganic mineral grit (pumice, volcanic scoria, crushed limestone, zeolite) + 10-15% low-humus sifted cactus loam.

## Cold Tolerance & Overwintering

-4°C (25°F) (USDA Zone 9b) - Strictly conditional upon the substrate being completely bone dry during winter rest.

## Propagation Methods

Seed sowing (primary, most sustainable method ensuring natural taproot development) or careful excision and rooting of basal offsets/pups from mature clumping specimens.

## Available Language Editions

- [TR: Peyote / Düğme Kaktüsü (Lophophora williamsii)](https://sukulentler.com/tr/turler/lophophora-williamsii.md)
- [DE: Peyote / Schnapskaktus (Lophophora williamsii)](https://sukulentler.com/de/arten/lophophora-williamsii.md)
- [ES: Peyote (Lophophora williamsii)](https://sukulentler.com/es/especies/lophophora-williamsii.md)