About
Ferocactus wislizenii, the fishhook cactus, is a solitary barrel cactus from the Sonoran Desert producing a globose, later cylindrical stem with deep ribs bearing prominent hooked spines and yellow to red flowers in summer. One of the most characteristic desert cacti of the American Southwest.
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, Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesContainers, rock gardens, dry borders.
Native toMexico, adjacent USA
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 offsets or by seed
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mealybugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free