dinosaur back succulent Myrtillocactus geometrizans f. cristata - Dinosaur Back

Fans of tightly ridged stems, flattened due to a rare mutation in the plant’s apical meristem, sport a dusty blue green hue, which will blush to violet pink along the uppermost edges when exposed to ample amounts of sunlight. Coated in a thick layer of farina, which lends the plant its signature hazy blue appearance, this variety’s surface can easily be marred by the oils from fingerprints – so take care when repotting or otherwise handling this exceptional plant.

Sometimes known by the common name dinosaur back, M. geometrizans f. cristata is truly stunning – and plentiful bright sunlight will ensure that it remains so! Beyond this need, a thorough yet infrequent watering routine paired with a porous soil mixture within a well-draining pot will best replicate the arid landscapes to which this specimen is accustomed, while also avoiding issues such as rot.

Over time, this crested specimen will begin to form a central trunk from which its fans of color and texture will emerge – to protect this growth from scarring, take steps to shield it from freezing temperatures, ideally housing it within a space that never dips below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.