Aztekium ritteri

🌿 Care Guide

Plant Name: Aztekium ritteri
Botanical Name: Aztekium ritteri
Common Name: Living Fossil Cactus
Origin: Nuevo León, Mexico

🌞 Light

Prefers bright, indirect light. Can tolerate a few hours of soft morning sun, but avoid harsh direct afternoon rays which can scorch it.

💧 Watering

Very minimal water needs. Water only when the soil is bone dry—typically every 3–4 weeks during growing season. Keep nearly dry in winter.

🌡️ Temperature

Thrives in warm, dry climates—65–85°F (18–29°C). Not frost-hardy. Keep above 50°F (10°C).

🌱 Soil

Requires a very gritty, fast-draining mix. Use cactus mix with extra pumice, sand, or perlite. Avoid organic-rich soils.

✂️ Maintenance

Extremely slow-growing and low-maintenance. Avoid repotting unless absolutely necessary, as it resents root disturbance.

⚠️ Sad Plant Signs

🟡 Yellowing or mushy base – Overwatering; let it dry completely
🪨 No growth for long periods – Normal, especially in dormancy
🟤 Cracks or scars – Can happen with sudden watering after long dry periods

🛡️ Our Guarantee

Your plants will arrive in happy, healthy condition—guaranteed. If not, we replace them for free.
Simply reach out to us with a photo within 15 days of receiving your order.

📦 Returns & Refunds

If your order arrived damaged, let us know within 15 days so we can replace it as part of our 15-Day Customer Happiness Guarantee.
Photos are required as proof of damage and to help us improve our packaging process.
Otherwise, we cannot offer returns or exchanges at this time.

🎁 Sending a gift?

First, lucky them! Second, in the cart, before checkout, you’ll find an option to add a gift note.
You can rest assured that all orders are shipped without pricing information and include directions on how to access our digital Care Library for plant care instructions.
You can also let your gift recipient know something is on the way from yours truly by filling out this form – also linked in your order confirmation email. (Don’t worry, we won’t spoil what the surprise is or send them any marketing emails.)