The peyotewhose scientific name is Lophophora williamsiiis a succulent plant belonging to the family Cactiin fact a cactus, famous for the botanical particularities that distinguish it and for the great cultural and spiritual meaning it carries with it. Peyote is native to the arid areas of northern Mexico and the southwestern United States, where it has been known for millennia for its hallucinogenic properties due to the presence of mescaline. Although prohibited in many countries today, peyote has a long history of use in religious rituals, particularly among Native American populations.
Description of the plant
Peyote is a modest plant in size: it reaches heights of around 2-7 cm and has a diameter of 4-12 cm. The part visible above the ground, called the “crown”, is made up of rounded sections similar to small disks, and it is precisely in this part of the plant that mescaline, the psychotropic compound responsible for the hallucinogenic effects of peyote, is found. The cactus has extremely slow growth, taking over 30 years to fully mature and flower. The crown, green-blue or green-grey in colour, has a spongy and fleshy consistency, with thin ribs that run vertically across it.
Peyote flowers are small but very characteristic. They can vary from white to pink, sometimes with yellow or reddish shades, and appear mainly during the day, measuring between 1 and 2.4 cm in length and between 1 and 2.2 cm in diameter, emerging solitary from the central part of the crown. After flowering, the plant produces small pink fruits which, once dried, take on a whitish hue. The fruits in question contain black pear-shaped seeds, about 1-1.5 mm long, which represent the main means of propagation of peyote.
Where to place the peyote
Peyote thrives in particular conditions, which are capable of replicating its natural habitat, it is a plant that requires a lot of light, but must not be exposed to direct sunlight for long periods, especially in the hottest hours of the day. If grown indoors, it is advisable to place it in a bright area but protected from direct sun, such as a windowsill or a balcony protected by curtains.
For those growing peyote outdoors, it is critical to ensure exposure to a dry, hot climate, similar to that of the Mexican deserts and southwestern United States. Peyote does not tolerate temperatures below 10°C, so during the colder months you will have to take it under cover, or move the cultivation inside a heated greenhouse.
What soil to use for peyote
The substrate that best accompanies peyote should be well draining, as the plant cannot tolerate water stagnation, therefore a good mix for cacti, composed of coarse sand, perlite and gravel, will work well.
In nature, peyote grows in calcareous soil, so it is advisable to add a little agricultural lime to the soil to simulate the original environment. The pH of the soil should be slightly alkaline, a parameter that can be monitored and corrected with special products available in gardening shops.
Growing peyote in pots
For cultivation in pots you will have to choose low but wide containers, since the root system of the plant develops more horizontally than vertically. It is essential that the pot has drainage holes to prevent water from stagnating at the base, causing root rot.
Repotting peyote is not a practice that should be done frequently, given its extremely slow growth. It may be necessary every 3-5 years, or when the roots begin to completely fill the pot. When repotting, remember to handle the plant with care, as the crown is fragile and can easily break.
How to water peyote
Peyote, like most cacti, needs very little water. During the growing season, which runs from spring to early autumn, it will be sufficient to water the plant once every two weeks, leaving the soil completely dry between one watering and another. In winter, the plant enters a phase of vegetative rest and does not need water: watering during this period can damage the peyote, as its roots are not able to absorb water properly.
How to fertilize peyote
Peyote, being a slow-growing plant, does not require frequent fertilization. During the growing season, you can apply a specific cactus fertilizer once or twice, preferably with a low nitrogen content and a good supply of potassium and phosphorus, nutrients that will help the plant develop a robust crown and lush flowering. Avoid excesses, because too much fertilizer could burn the roots and compromise the health of the plant.
When peyote blooms
The flowering of peyote is a rare and precious event, which occurs only after several years of growth: the small flowers bloom during the summer and remain open for a few days.
To encourage flowering you will have to guarantee the plant optimal environmental conditions, following the instructions seen previously, remembering that, even in the best conditions, the plant could take decades before flowering.
Peyote diseases and parasites
Peyote is a fairly hardy plant, but it can be prone to root rot, especially if exposed to overwatering or waterlogging. To prevent this problem, ensure good drainage and let the soil dry between waterings. Furthermore, peyote can be attacked by scale insects and aphids, which can damage the crown and weaken the plant: in case of infestations, try to intervene promptly with specific products, or by using natural remedies such as neem oil.
Can Peyote be grown in Italy?
In Italy, cultivating and possessing Lophophora williamsii (peyote) is prohibited due to the presence of mescaline, a psychoactive alkaloid which is a narcotic substance. Italian legislation aligns with international standards on controlled substances, including mescaline among illegal substances.
Italian drug laws are particularly rigorous and precisely regulate the possession, trade, production and use of psychotropic substances. This regulation applies not only to synthetic drugs, but also to natural plants that contain banned active ingredients, such as peyote.
Furthermore, the use of peyote for religious or spiritual reasons, widespread in some cultures, is not permitted in Italy, unlike some states in the United States, where the ritual use of peyote by Native Americans is legally protected.
The role of mescaline
Mescaline is the active ingredient that made peyote famous, it is a compound chemically similar to dopamine, with powerful hallucinogenic effects capable of mainly influencing the 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors in the brain. The psychotropic effects of mescaline have been used for centuries in ritual contexts, but today unsupervised use is prohibited.
Peyote in Native American culture
Peyote is closely linked to Native American culture and traditions, particularly regarding ritual and spiritual use. The peyote plant has been used for millennia in the religious ceremonies of some tribes in the southwestern United States and Mexico, such as the Huichol, the Tarahumara and the Comanche, due to the hallucinogenic effect and the strong symbolism it embodies. Peyote’s cultural importance goes far beyond its psychotropic properties, as it is seen as a sacred plant, a gateway to the spiritual world, and a guide to healing and vision seeking.
The spiritual meaning of peyote
For many Native American tribes, peyote is considered a gift from the gods, a sacred plant capable of connecting those who take it with the divine. It is used during rituals to reach altered states of consciousness, which allow you to come into contact with the spiritual world, receive visions and guide people in important decisions. Use is often associated with physical and mental healing, as the mescaline contained in peyote is believed to open the doors of perception, allowing one to see the truth and gain wisdom.
The peyote ceremony is a collective event, which involves not only those who consume the plant, but the entire community. During these ceremonies, which can last all night, participants sing, pray and meditate, accompanied by drum beats and sacred chants. The consumption of peyote occurs under the guidance of a shaman or tribal elder, who takes on the role of spiritual leader and leads the group through the mystical experience.
The Native American Church
With the arrival of European settlers and the subsequent colonization process, many aspects of Native American culture were repressed, including the ritual use of peyote. It took some time before the natives acquired awareness and began a path aimed at preserving their culture: starting from the end of the 19th century, the tribes began to organize themselves to preserve spiritual traditions, and in 1918 the Native American Church was born (NAC), an organization that unites several tribes with the goal of protecting and promoting the use of peyote in religious rituals.
The NAC has been instrumental in keeping the peyote tradition alive and defending its religious use before the law. In fact, while the plant is prohibited in many countries, including the United States, the use of peyote is legal for members of the Native American Church, as it is considered an integral part of their religious freedom. The United States Supreme Court has repeatedly recognized the right of Native Americans to use peyote during religious ceremonies, a recognition that represented an important victory for the protection of the cultural and spiritual rights of indigenous populations.
Peyote symbolism and role in the life cycle
Peyote is considered a spiritual guide and medicine that helps heal both body and soul. According to Native American beliefs, the plant has the power to reveal the truth and lead those who take it to a greater understanding of the self and the world, so it is often used in rites of passage, such as initiations, important celebrations and events which in general mark fundamental stages in an individual’s life, such as the entry into adulthood, or the transition to old age.
The consumption of peyote, although linked to intense visual experiences, is not seen simply as a way to obtain hallucinations: on the contrary, the effect of mescaline is interpreted as a way to reach a state of higher awareness, which allows us to understand the dynamics of life and nature, to connect with ancestors and to obtain spiritual guidance.
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