Momotaro and Chihuahua look alike, it's hard to tell them apart

Some people say Momotaro is Chihuahua,

why exactly?

Because they are both succulents!

Just how similar are they, well

Actually these are two varieties, and indeed the two look extremely similar. Not only will you confuse them, I do too!

Actually, Chihuahua's leaf tips are a bit sharper, while Momotaro's leaves look a bit thicker. Some growers also say that Chihuahua's leaves look more tightly packed than Momotaro's. Chihuahua's leaf tips are red but the leaf edges do not turn red, whereas with Momotaro, if the light is sufficient and it gets enough sun, the entire leaf may turn red

Chihuahua is a succulent of the genus Echeveria in the Crassulaceae family. Everyone habitually calls it Chihuahua; because the plant is beautiful, and the red blush on its leaf tips has the charm of a drunken imperial concubine, it is also called Yang Guifei. Chihuahua has a compact plant shape, with leaves arranged very neatly and tightly in a standard rosette form; the leaves are ovate and slightly cupped, with a small pointed tip at the top, and the small tip is often red.

Momotaro (ももたろう) is a succulent of the genus Echinocereus (hedgehog cacti) in the Cactaceae family, successfully bred by Japanese horticulturist Shuichi Kitabori in 1990. This variety is a selection from crossing Onikijō (a variety of Echinocereus coccineus, basically spineless or densely covered with short spines) with Echinocereus reichenbachii. The flowers come in three colors and are more than 5cm in diameter. Momotaro is a very successful hybrid variety; its areoles are smoother than those of Onikijō, making it a rare spineless variety among cacti, and its flower colors are even more brilliant and colorful.

Care Guide

Light

Momotaro likes a sunny, cool and dry growing environment; it is drought-tolerant but not cold-tolerant. When summer temperatures reach around 35, it needs appropriate shading and reduced watering; you can use a shade umbrella and control watering. During the growing season it can receive full sun; insufficient light will cause leggy growth. In winter it can be placed indoors in a spot with strong sunlight.

Watering

During the growing season, just keep the potting soil moist. Note that when watering and fertilizing, it is best not to touch the leaves. For growers who are new to growing Momotaro, you can water according to the principle of "don't water until dry, and water thoroughly when you do." Watering is generally done in the evening after the sun sets or at night.

Potting Soil

Momotaro does not have high requirements for soil; loose and breathable is fine. Generally you can use peat or coconut coir + perlite at a ratio of 1:1 for cultivation.

Propagation

Momotaro is generally propagated by leaf cuttings or by division.

For these two that look so super similar, you will need to distinguish them carefully....