Barrel Cactus Echinocactus
- Description
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Barrel cacti are in the Cactaceae family and are native to Arizona, Texas, and Mexico. There are 6 spieces in this family and many varieties. The genus is known for its rounded, ball-like shape that may elongate with age. Many cultivars exist with unusual knobby or fasciated growth and all have many spines. They vary greatly in size and are much smaller when grown in a pot. The popular Golden Barrel Cactus can grow up to 35 inches across in its native habitat. They will produce offsets with age.
These plants grow best in full sun, but they can tolerate a little bit of shade. They prefer dry soil and low humidity and need a good cactus mix with extra grit for drainage. It can be easily grown as a houseplant in a container, and it is tolerant to a wide array of conditions.
Quick ID:
- Ball-like or barrel-like shape
- Clearly defined rows of vertical ribs with long, sharp spines
- Wool-like fuzz at the top of the stem where the flowers emerge
- Funnel-shaped flowers with numerous petals
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Echinocactus
- Family:
- Cactaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- SW USA and Mexico
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Succulent
- Habit/Form:
- Columnar
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Spines
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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
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- fruits may be dry and wooly or fleshy and round.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Petals:
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers emerge from the top of the plant, the buds forming a ring. The brightly colored flowers are usually funnel-shaped with numerous petals.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Insignificant
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Prickly
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Acicular
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- This plant has spines, which are modified leaves, that are long and recurved. They can be densely packed.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The apex may grow a wool-like fiber, creating a ring where the flowers emerge.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Landscape Theme:
- Rock Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
