About

Ferocactus emoryi, Emory's barrel cactus, is a striking blue-green barrel cactus from Arizona and Mexico, globular at first and becoming cylindrical to 2 m after many years. Young plants carry regularly arranged conical tubercles tipped with 6�10 long, curved, red or brown spines; older plants develop 15�30 deep ribs. Red, yellow or pale-orange, widely-flaring flowers to 7.5 cm across appear in summer, followed by yellow, egg-shaped fruits.

About the genus

Ferocactus, the barrel cacti, are spherical to columnar cacti from the deserts of Mexico and the south-western United States, with prominent ribs bearing spiny areoles � the spines sometimes strongly hooked � and funnel-shaped flowers in summer. Architectural and drought-tolerant plants for sunny, dry gardens and heated glasshouses.

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2

Plant details

Plant typeCactus Succulent
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesHouseplants

Care notes

CultivationGrow under glass in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added grit. Water moderately when in growth, not at all when dormant. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser two or three times in the growing season. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mealybugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free
← Plant Directory