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Austrocylindropuntia subulata

Previously known as:

  • Opuntia subulata
  • Pereskia subulata
Phonetic Spelling
oss-troh-sil-in-droh-POON-tee-uh sub-yoo-LAH-tuh
Description

Eve's needle cactus is a species of shrub or tree-like cactus that is native to the Peruvian Andes where it is valuable for erosion control and serves as a wildlife habitat for small animals and birds. It has long, slender stems with sharp spines and thrives in arid, desert-like conditions, and it is a member of the cactus family (Cactaceae).

This plant requires full sun or bright indoor light, good drainage, and infrequent watering. If used as a container or houseplant make sure the container or clay pot has adequate drainage holes. The recommended potting medium is cactus or succulent medium with added coarse sand, pumice, or perlite to promote good drainage. Water the plant well and allow the soil to completely dry out between waterings. This plant will not survive freezing temperatures or high humidity. It needs to be brought indoors before the first frost and placed in a sunny location. This plant is hardy in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9 to 11.

Eve's needle cactus may grow up to 13 feet tall in its native habitat, but is much smaller in cultivation. The trunk is erect and can measure up to 4 inches in diameter. It has elongated branches and cylinder-like joints that grow up to 2 feet long and 2.5 inches wide. It has ovate bumpy tubercles along the stems. The leaves are awl-like, fleshy, and greenish-yellow and can grow up to 5 inches long on a mature plant. The spined areoles have straight grayish-white spines that measure up to 3 inches long. Flowers bloom in the spring or summer, and they are tubular and may be yellow, greenish-yellow, orange-red, or red. The fruits produced are red and have fine stinging hairs.

This plant is low maintenance and thrives in arid-like conditions and requires very little watering. In warmer climates, it could used as an ornamental on a rock or succulent garden. For cactus enthusiasts, it could be used as an indoor houseplant. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Eve's needle cactus is usually resistant to most pests and diseases; however, monitor the plant for mealybugs and scale. Overwatering or inadequate drainage can result in root rot, and high humidity can causes stem rot. The cactus can suffer from scorch if exposed to intense sunlight. To prevent injury due to its sharp spines, it is best to wear protective gloves when caring for this plant. Avoid planting in walkways or areas frequented by children or pets.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
    'Cristata' (Crested Eve's Needle) Form
    fan-like shape with wavy ridges
  • 'Gumby'
    dwarf cactus, abnormal growth, twisted, contorted with green cylinder-like stems with yellow spines and spiked green leaves
  • 'Monstruosa' (Christmas Tree Cactus)
    smaller habit, up to 3.3 feet tall, densely branched, has a main stem and many upright cylinder-like shoots
'Cristata' (Crested Eve's Needle), 'Gumby', 'Monstruosa' (Christmas Tree Cactus)
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#succulent#red flowers#interiorscape#low maintenance#fast growing#spines#red fruits#edible fruits#cactus#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
    'Cristata' (Crested Eve's Needle) Form
    fan-like shape with wavy ridges
  • 'Gumby'
    dwarf cactus, abnormal growth, twisted, contorted with green cylinder-like stems with yellow spines and spiked green leaves
  • 'Monstruosa' (Christmas Tree Cactus)
    smaller habit, up to 3.3 feet tall, densely branched, has a main stem and many upright cylinder-like shoots
'Cristata' (Crested Eve's Needle), 'Gumby', 'Monstruosa' (Christmas Tree Cactus)
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#succulent#red flowers#interiorscape#low maintenance#fast growing#spines#red fruits#edible fruits#cactus#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Austrocylindropuntia
    Species:
    subulata
    Family:
    Cactaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    In ancient Peru, the plant was used for fencing, and the spines for making needles.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Layering
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Columbia, Peru, and Bolivia
    Distribution:
    Albania, Algeria, Ecuador, Greece, Italy, Kenya, Madagascar, Madeira, Morocco, Northern Provinces, Portugal, Sicily, Spain, and Tunisia
    Wildlife Value:
    Wildlife habitat for small animals and birds.
    Play Value:
    Easy to Grow
    Wildlife Cover/Habitat
    Wildlife Nesting
    Edibility:
    The fruit is edible and can also be fermented to make cactus wine.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 13 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 4 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Succulent
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Columnar
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
    Appendage:
    Spines
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    3 feet-6 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    The fruits are dark green to red, 5-inches long, egg-shaped, and have fine stinging hairs.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are tubular and up to 2 to 3 inches long, and blooms in colors of brilliant orange, red, orange-red, or greenish-yellow. Container plants typically do not bloom.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Awl-shaped greenish-yellow leaves are up to 5 inches long on mature plants.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Bark Description:
    Older plants have a dark brown bark and a woody trunk.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Glossy green stems with cylindrical joints. Its stems are covered with bumpy tubercles and each tubercle has a spined areole. The areoles have clusters of grayish white spines.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Small Mammals
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Poor Soil
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
    Spines/Thorns