About
A large, upright cactus, reaching up to 15m in its native range but usually much smaller in cultivation. Stems are rich green, with 5-7 ribs edged with slightly woolly areoles that are often linked together creating a pale-coloured line down the rib. Areoles bear short spines, and on mature plants produce nocturnal white, pink or purple flowers in spring, followed by round reddish fruits. Young plants are often single-stemmed, only branching at the base as they mature.
About the genus
Pachycereus are a genus of columnar, tree-like perennial cacti, native to semi-desert areas of the USA and Mexico. Branches form from the bases of the main stems and have large spines with tubular flowers produced only on mature plants in the summer.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1B
Plant details
Plant typeCactus Succulent
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Houseplants, Patio and container plants
Native toMexico
Care notes
CultivationGrow under glass, or in patio containers and overwinter in a greenhouse. Plant in a sharply-draining cactus mix and position in full sun. Water moderately when in growth, keep dry over winter. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for more advice
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed, sown at 19-24ºC in spring, or by stem tip cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceMaybe susceptible to scale insects and sometimes mealybugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free