Summary Cereus hildmannianus is a candle cactus native to southeastern South America.

Botanical name: Cereus hildmannianus K.Schumann Synonym: Cereus peruvianus (L.) Mill. (misnomer since 1828) Family: Cactaceae Origin: Southeast South America (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay) Common name: cactus, candle cactus, columnar cactus Hardiness: 10-11 zones (-2°C dry) Cereus hildmannianus, formerly mistakenly called Cereus peruvianus due to an error made in 1828 by De Candolle, a Swiss botanist, is a columnar cactus native to southeastern South America. It can reach heights of 3 to 5 or even 10 meters. Stems are bluish-green. It blooms nocturnally in summer. It is very easy to grow, as long as it is kept dry in winter.