Cereus forbesii monstrose ‘Ming Thing’: How to Care for This Seriously Weird Cactus

Yes, it’s supposed to look like that. 🤣 Ming Thing is a slow-growing cactus known for its bizarre look and clusters of blue-green, knobby stems.

Instead of growing into the tall, uniform look you would expect from a typical Cereus forbesii, Ming Thing grows irregular growing points that create its lumpy shape. Because the growth is irregular, no two Ming Things develop exactly the same way. As it matures, new growth continues to build around the plant, creating an increasingly more strange cluster. 

What Makes It Special? 

It’s a mutant. Really. Ming Thing has what is called monstrose growth. A typical cactus grows in a predictable pattern from its growing point. In a monstrose cactus, abnormal growth causes growing points to develop irregularly, forming distorted and unpredictable shapes. That mutation is responsible for Ming Thing’s knobby look. Look closely and you may also notice small woolly areoles and short spines among the unusual stems. Despite it belonging to a species that normally develops into a much larger columnar cactus, Ming Thing stays considerably smaller and grows very slowly.

Key Facts

Scientific name: Cereus forbesii ‘Ming Thing’
Common name: Ming Thing cactus
Family: Cactaceae
Native range: ‘Ming Thing’ is a cultivated monstrose form. The parent species, Cereus forbesii, is native to Bolivia and Argentina.
Growth form: Slow-growing, monstrose cactus with clustered, irregular club-like stems
Common use: Houseplant, windowsill plant, dish garden and container cactus

How to Care for Cereus forbesii monstrose ‘Ming Thing’

Light

Its a little different from what you might expect from a cactus. It doesn’t need to bake in intense sun all day. Give it plenty of bright, filtered or indirect light. Outside partial sun or filtered shade works well. Protect it from intense afternoon sunlight, which can scorch the stems.

Indoors, place it close to a bright window where it gets plenty of light. Ming Thing can tolerate somewhat lower light than many other cacti. As always, acclimate your cactus before increasing its direct sunlight. 

Water

Its watering needs are very cactus-like. Give it a deep watering and then allow the soil to dry before watering again. You want the entire root system to receive water, followed by a good drying period. Avoid frequent little sips and never leave the pot sitting in water. A plant growing actively in warm, bright conditions will use water more quickly than one sitting in cooler temperatures with shorter winter days. 

Soil

Drainage is extremely important for Ming Thing. Use a quick-draining cactus or succulent mix and add perlite or pumice to improve drainage and increase airflow around the roots, particularly if your regular potting mix tends to hold moisture. Your container should also have a drainage hole. 

Temperature

It likes relatively warm conditions and needs protection from frost. It likes USDA Hardiness Zones 9 through 11 and be sure to bring in container-grown plants inside before the first frost. Its preferred temperature range of approximately 50–70°F. Indoors, normal household temperatures generally are fine.

Fertilizer

It is slow-growing and doesn’t need a lot of fertilizer. If you choose to feed it, use a diluted cactus or succulent fertilizer during active growth. A light feeding is enough.

Blooming

Yes, this weird little cactus can flower. But it doesn't happen often. In fact it rarely flowers. When flowering does happen, the blooms are large, funnel-shaped and white with purple coloring. The flowers open at night and can reach approximately 6 inches across. Flowering usually occurs during spring or early summer. The flowers are also fragrant and attract nighttime pollinators such as moths.

So if yours ever blooms, take pictures. Lots of them!

Is ‘Ming Thing’ Pet Safe?

There isn’t enough reliable veterinary information specifically addressing Cereus forbesii ‘Ming Thing’ for us to confidently classify this cultivar for pets. There is also a more obvious consideration with this one....spines. Ming Thing can develop short dark spines from its areoles, which can physically injure a curious pet. We recommend keeping it somewhere pets can’t chew on it, knock it over or rub against the spines.

Humidity

It doesn’t need high humidity. Average household humidity is generally fine. What matters more is good airflow and allowing the soil to dry properly after watering. If you live somewhere humid, your soil may stay wet considerably longer. Adjust your soil mix and watering accordingly.

Propagation

Ming Thing can be propagated from stem cuttings. Choose a healthy section of growth and remove it with a clean cutting tool. Don’t plant it immediately. Allow the cut surface to dry and form a callus before placing the cutting into a porous, well-draining cactus mix. Keep the cutting in bright, protected light while it begins establishing roots. Be patient. Once roots have developed and the cutting is established, gradually transition it into normal care and watering.

Troubleshooting ‘Ming Thing’

My Ming Thing Looks Deformed

That’s exactly what it’s supposed to do. Ming Thing has monstrose growth, which means its growing points develop irregularly. Knobs, bumps, twists and strangely shaped stems aren’t defects. If your cactus keeps getting weirder as it grows yay!! 😀

The Stems Are Turning Brown or Bleached

Check its light. Despite being a cactus, Ming Thing can scorch in harsh sun. If you recently moved it into stronger sun and then noticed pale, bleached or brown areas, sunburn is a likely whats happening. Move it somewhere where its protected from intense sun. Damaged tissue won’t turn green again, but healthy new growth can continue.

The Base or Stems Feel Soft or Mushy

Soft or mushy tissue, especially when the soil is still wet, can be a sign of rot. Overwatering is one of the primary problems associated with Ming Thing. Stop watering and inspect the roots and stems. Remove any rotting stem or roots and save the healthy parts for propagation.

Then check your growing setup.  Does the pot have drainage? Is the soil porous enough? Are you watering before the soil has dried? Fixing the underlying problem is just as important as saving the plant. 

My Ming Thing Isn’t Growing

It may be completely fine. Ming Thing is slow-growing.  If the plant is firm, healthy-looking and receiving good light, a lack of obvious growth isn’t necessarily a problem.

There Are White Cottony Spots on My Cactus

Ming Thing naturally has woolly areoles, so some fuzz on the plant is normal. But cottony material appearing in unusual areas, especially accompanied by tiny insects could indicate mealybugs. Inspect the crevices carefully because its irregular shape gives pests plenty of places to hide.

My Ming Thing Is Getting Tall or Thin

Some irregular growth is completely normal for this cultivar. But if new growth becomes noticeably thinner, weak or stretched while the plant is growing in low light, give it a brighter spot. Increasing light gradually rather than immediately placing it in harsh direct sun is best.

Ming Thing is weird in the best possible way. We grow so many beautiful rosettes, colorful succulents and perfectly symmetrical plants that sometimes it’s fun to throw something completely different into the mix.

If this Cereus forbesii monstrose ‘Ming Thing’ showed up in your Succly order, congratulations, you officially own one of the weirdest little cacti around.

Snap a pic, tag @Succly, and show us where your Ming Thing lives. 7 million bonus points if it’s in bloom 🌼

Keep Learning About Succulent Care

New to succulents or want to learn even more? These guides will help you grow healthier, happier plants.

Watering Succulents
Learn why overwatering isn’t about how often you water, but how long the soil stays wet.
→ Read our Watering Guide

Find the Right Succulent Soil
There isn’t one “perfect” succulent soil. Discover how to choose or mix the best soil for your growing environment.
→ Read our Succulent Soil Guide

Succulent Care 101
Everything you need to know about light, watering, repotting, dormancy, and keeping your succulents thriving.
→ Read Succulent Care 101