About

Cylindropuntia imbricata 'White Tower' is a resilient cactus that thrives in cooler climates. Its robust, cylindrical stems are densely covered with sharp, barbed spines. This variety is notable for its white blooms, which typically emerge in late spring and persist into early summer, giving way to yellow, conical fruit. It tolerates the chill of British winters effectively, provided that it is not subjected to excessive moisture.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H4

Plant details

Plant type
Cactus Succulent
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
2.5-4 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
20-50 years
Suggested uses
Houseplants, Patio and container plants

Care notes

Cultivation
Under glass grow in standard cactus compost in full light or bright filtered light. From early spring to mid-autumn, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser 3-4 times; keep dry at other times. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation
Propagate by removing and rooting stem segments
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to scale insects and mealybugs
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free