About
This shrubby cactus can reach heights of up to 2 meters in its native California. It features thick, cylindrical stem segments that are densely covered with brown spines. In the summer months, mature specimens produce pink or red flowers, which are succeeded by round green fruits.
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
- H1C
Plant details
- Plant type
- Cactus Succulent
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Houseplants, Patio and container plants
- Native to
- S California to Mexico
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