About
Pachycereus pringlei, the Mexican giant cactus, is a towering, tree-like columnar cactus from the Sonoran Desert producing dark blue-green stems with dark-brown to grey spines. On mature plants, nocturnal, funnel-shaped, white flowers to 8 cm across appear in summer. A dramatic, architectural cactus for a large, warm, sunny greenhouse.
About the genus
Pachycereus are columnar, tree-like cacti from the USA and Mexico with ribbed, branching stems bearing large spines and nocturnal, tubular flowers on mature plants only. Grown in large, warm, sunny greenhouses.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-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 usesPatio and container plants
Native toNW Mexico
Care notes
CultivationGrow under glass in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added extra grit. Water moderately when in growth, not at all when dormant. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser 2 or 3 times in the growing season see houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed. Stem-tip cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mealybugs and scale insects
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free