Barrel Cactus Ferocactus
Other plants called Barrel Cactus:
Previously known as:
- Bisnaga
- Brittonia
- Glandulicactus
- Parrycactus
- Phonetic Spelling
- fer-o-KAK-tus
- Description
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The barrel cacti are native to the Southwestern and south-central United States and Mexico and comprise 30 accepted species. These plants grow naturally in the desert in rocky, sandy soils, and where there is plenty of sunshine. Its genus name is a compound of the Latin word, ferox, meaning "fierce," and "cactus," which is derived from the Greek word, kaktos, meaning "thistle." The barrel cactus is a member of the cactus family, Cactaceae. It has stout, and tubular shape stems and looks like a spiked ribbed barrel.
These plants prefer full sun, but in scorching climates, afternoon shade is recommended. They need a well-drained potting mix such as a cactus or succulent mix. These plants prefer a dry environment, and over-watering should be avoided. Water the plant well and ensure good drainage. Let the soil mix dry out completely between waterings. Water the plant even less during the dormant seasons of fall and winter. Terracotta pots are recommended because they are porous and remove excess moisture. Fertilize these plants only during the growing season and use only a product designed for cacti or succulents. These plants are winter hardy in the USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11. These plants may be propagated by seeds.
The barrel cactus has a thick, cylinder-like stem, has well-defined ribs, and is covered with sharp, curved spines that may be yellow, red, brown, or gray. The flowers appear in late spring to early summer and are shades of yellow, orange, or red. The flowers bloom in a crown-like formation on the top of the cactus. After flowering, the cactus produces small, spiny fruits that are enjoyed by desert birds and small mammals.
The barrel cactus is often used as an ornamental in desert landscapes, rock gardens, or as a container plant.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The barrel cactus is usually pest and disease resistant. Occasionally mealybugs, spider mites, fungus gnats or scale insects may be seen. Overwatering or poor drainage can cause rot root or brown or mushy areas on the stems. Inadequate sunlight or lack of nutrients can cause the plant not to flower. Wear protective gloves when handling or working around this plant due to its sharp spines.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Ferocactus acanthodes subsp. acanthodes (California Barrel Cactus)
most widespread, dense lattice of spines that vary in color from deep red, white, or yellow, yellow flowers and fruits - Ferocactus emoryi (Emory's Barrel Cactus)
green to blue-green, spherical to cylindrical stem, 4-8 ft tall, red or light brown spines, yellow, orange, or red blooms - Ferocactus glaucescens (Blue Barrel Cactus)
bluish-green, globose to cylindrical, up to 2 ft tall and wide, pale yellow spines, bright yellow flowers, white fruits - Ferocactus herrerae (Twisted Barrel Cactus)
large, round, 3-5 ft tall, 1-3 ft wide, green to blue-green stems, twisting growth habit, thick and curved yellow to red spines - Ferocactus latispinus (Devil's Tongue Cactus)
green to bluish-green stems up to 2-3 ft.tall, 1-2 ft. wide, up to 2 inch long curved red-brown spines, purple blooms - Ferocactus pilosus (Mexican Lime Cactus)
single to clumping, deep green, barrel-shaped to columnar, up to 8 ft. tall, 1.5 ft wide, red spines, red-orange flowers - Ferocactus wislizeni (Fishhook Barrel Cactus or Candy Barrel Cactus)
rare cacti, 3 to 6 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide, spines up to 4 inches long, reddish-orange flowers, yellow fruits
- Ferocactus acanthodes subsp. acanthodes (California Barrel Cactus)
- Ferocactus acanthodes subsp. acanthodes (California Barrel Cactus), Ferocactus emoryi (Emory's Barrel Cactus), Ferocactus glaucescens (Blue Barrel Cactus), Ferocactus herrerae (Twisted Barrel Cactus), Ferocactus latispinus (Devil's Tongue Cactus), Ferocactus pilosus (Mexican Lime Cactus), Ferocactus wislizeni (Fishhook Barrel Cactus or Candy Barrel Cactus)
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Ferocactus acanthodes subsp. acanthodes (California Barrel Cactus)
most widespread, dense lattice of spines that vary in color from deep red, white, or yellow, yellow flowers and fruits - Ferocactus emoryi (Emory's Barrel Cactus)
green to blue-green, spherical to cylindrical stem, 4-8 ft tall, red or light brown spines, yellow, orange, or red blooms - Ferocactus glaucescens (Blue Barrel Cactus)
bluish-green, globose to cylindrical, up to 2 ft tall and wide, pale yellow spines, bright yellow flowers, white fruits - Ferocactus herrerae (Twisted Barrel Cactus)
large, round, 3-5 ft tall, 1-3 ft wide, green to blue-green stems, twisting growth habit, thick and curved yellow to red spines - Ferocactus latispinus (Devil's Tongue Cactus)
green to bluish-green stems up to 2-3 ft.tall, 1-2 ft. wide, up to 2 inch long curved red-brown spines, purple blooms - Ferocactus pilosus (Mexican Lime Cactus)
single to clumping, deep green, barrel-shaped to columnar, up to 8 ft. tall, 1.5 ft wide, red spines, red-orange flowers - Ferocactus wislizeni (Fishhook Barrel Cactus or Candy Barrel Cactus)
rare cacti, 3 to 6 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide, spines up to 4 inches long, reddish-orange flowers, yellow fruits
- Ferocactus acanthodes subsp. acanthodes (California Barrel Cactus)
- Ferocactus acanthodes subsp. acanthodes (California Barrel Cactus), Ferocactus emoryi (Emory's Barrel Cactus), Ferocactus glaucescens (Blue Barrel Cactus), Ferocactus herrerae (Twisted Barrel Cactus), Ferocactus latispinus (Devil's Tongue Cactus), Ferocactus pilosus (Mexican Lime Cactus), Ferocactus wislizeni (Fishhook Barrel Cactus or Candy Barrel Cactus)
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ferocactus
- Family:
- Cactaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Native Americans used the spines for making fishing hooks or needles. They also harvested and ate the fruits.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southwestern and South Central United States to Mexico
- Distribution:
- Native: AZ, CA, NV, NM, TX, and UT; Mexico Central, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, and Mexico Southwest. Introduced: Canary Islands
- Wildlife Value:
- ees, moths, and birds are attracted to the flowers and fruits. Small desert mammals eat the fruits and disperse the seeds. Small mammals and reptiles used the cactus for shelter.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Easy to Grow
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- The fruits are edible, but they are not typically consumed by humans.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Succulent
- Tree
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- 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:
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits are leathery, thick walled, and hollow except for seeds. They are ovoid or cylindrical and may be green, yellow, brownish, or reddish-purple. They measure 1 to 2 inches long and 0.5 to 1.5 inches wide. The seeds are black or dark brown. The fruits are edible, but they are usually consumed by small mammals in the desert versus humans.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The flowers appear at the stem apex and form a crown-like formation. They are funnel-shaped and appear in shades of yellow, orange, red, or purple with white or purple mid-stripes. Blooming occurs in late spring and early summer.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- The stems are erect, usually unbranched, unsegmented, green, ovoid, cylindrical, blunt or peg-like, glabrous with prominent ribs. There are 6 to 32 spines per areole, and they are yellow, brown, or reddish. They are hidden by a layer of thin, gray spines.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Moths
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
