Lophophora Williamsii Cactus | Peyote Cactus

Lophophora williamsii cactus seeds fresh from our nursery. Also known as peyote, Lophophora williamsii is a rare spineless cactus native to Northern Mexico and South Texas. Its stem is glaucous green, dull bluish or greyish green, very succulent, globular, top-shaped, or somewhat flattened up to 6 cm tall, 12 cm diameter, with a woolly top; The subterranean portion of the stem, which is as wide as the aerial portion, extends several cm below the surface of the ground and transitions smoothly into a large taproot which may extend over 25 cm below ground level.

Most young plants have 5 ribs, while older specimens can grow up to 13 ribs. They usually grow solitary, but can also grow caespitose. They maintain a large subterranean taproot which acts as a water reservoir during the dry season. Once mature they regularly display beautiful pink flowers throughout the summer months. However, Lophophora is a slow growing cactus it can take a decade to reach flowering age.

Lophophora enjoys the company of other plants and does well potted in large groups. Peyote should be grown in partial shade to avoid damaging the cactus from intense sunlight.

Peyote or Lophophora williamsii is known to contain psychoactive alkaloids, particularly mescaline. Known for its psychoactive properties when ingested, peyote has at least 5,500 years of entheogenic and medicinal use by indigenous North Americans.

In 2005, researchers used radiocarbon dating and alkaloid analysis to study two specimens of peyote buttons found in archaeological digs from a site called Shumla Cave No. 5 on the Rio Grande in Texas. The results dated the specimens to between 3780 and 3660 BCE. Alkaloid extraction yielded approximately 2% of the alkaloids including mescaline in both samples. This indicates that native North Americans were likely to have used peyote since at least five-and-a-half thousand years ago.

See our extensive selection of other rare Lophophora cactus seeds to complete your cactus collection.

Most Lophophora williamsii cacti 3.5cm and larger are mature and flowering with the ability to produce seed.

Potted cacti come in our speciality pots and premium cactus soil.

For our most outstanding plants see our Lophophora williamsii fine specimens. Likewise, you are a true connoisseur and prefer hard grown cacti see our Lophophora williamsii wild specimens.

Our cactus propagation guide has tips on how to best care for your Lophophora williamsii cactus.

Learn more about this threatened species and current conservation efforts. The Cactus Conservation Institute is a great resource. You may consider making a donation to the great work Dr Martin Terry and his team do at the institute.