About
A slow-growing, upright, single-stemmed cactus up to to 2m tall with long, straight reddish-pink spines and large yellow, red or orange flowers which appear in the summer.
About the genus
Ferocactus are spherical to columnar cacti with prominent ribs bearing spiny areoles, the spines sometimes hooked, and funnel-shaped flowers in summer
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, Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesHouseplants, Patio and container plants
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 resistanceMay be susceptible to root rots