Our guide to watering cacti has more information.
Temperature and Humidity
During the growing season, P. magnifica thrives in temperatures between 70 and 90°F. Bring container plants indoors when nighttime temperatures drop below 50°F.
A cool, dry winter rest often improves flowering the following season.
In fall and winter, move the pot to a cooler location with temperatures around 50 to 55°F, and avoid prolonged exposure to temperatures below 45°F or the cactus may suffer frost damage.
Average household humidity is fine, avoid placing the plant in bathrooms or other high-moisture areas.
Fertilizing
Feed balloon cactus once a month during spring and summer with a balanced fertilizer formulated for succulents diluted to half strength.
A low-nitrogen formula is preferable, as excessive nitrogen encourages weak, elongated growth.
Stop fertilizing in fall and don’t feed during winter dormancy.
Where to Buy
P. magnifica is available from specialty cactus and succulent nurseries, both online and in person.
You can find plants in four- and six-inch pots available at Planet Desert.
There’s also a natural variant, Parodia magnifica f. aurata, which has very little chlorophyll and displays a striking golden-yellow color. This form is highly sought after by collectors.
Maintenance
Repot every two to three years or when the plant has clearly outgrown its container.
Spring is the best time to do this. Choose a pot that’s only one to two inches wider than the existing root mass or clump.
To repot, carefully remove the specimen from its pot, protecting your hands with thick gloves or a folded towel.
Gently loosen the soil around the roots and inspect them, trimming away any that are dead or rotten.
Set the plant in fresh potting mix at the same depth it was growing previously. After repotting, wait about a week before watering to allow any disturbed roots to callus.
Learn more about repotting cacti here.
After flowering, the spent blooms dry up naturally and can be removed once they are loose.
Propagation
The best way to get started is to purchase a plant from a reputable nursery. If you want to try your hand at propagation, balloon cactus is easy to start from seed.
Mature clumps may have offsets that can be divided and potted up into their own containers.
Seed can typically be purchased from reputable suppliers, since plants grown in cultivation don’t always set seed.
In spring, prepare a seed-starting tray with fine, well-draining potting mix. Moisten the medium and surface-sow the tiny seeds, covering with a very fine layer of sand.
Set the container in a warm location with bright, indirect light and keep the medium lightly moist. Expect germination in two to four weeks.
