Echinocactus
( ek - in - oh - KAK - tus )
|
At-A-Glance InformationThis genus of cacti (previously known as Echinofossulocactus or x Enchinocephala) is also called Barrel Cactus, and they form large cylindrical plants with prominent ribs and sharp thorns. Most are native to the Southwestern United States. Spines are showy and typically cover these Cacti completely, and brightly colored flowers top the plants in summertime. These plants need protection from frost, and water every few weeks in the summertime. Use Barrel Cacti as focal points in rock gardens and as drought-tolerant additions to xeriscapes. They are commonly used in modern or minimalist designs for their unique structure, and can also be used around treasured ornamentals to deter against rabbits and deer. Take care when planting these interesting cacti in the landscape, as they are highly valuable and heavily poached. These plants also produce very sharp spines which can puncture clothing and skin.
|
Echinocactus Species and Varietals
The genus Echinocactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae and includes 6 species. They grow best in USDA hardiness zones 9a-11b or Sunset growing zones 12-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
|
Echinocactus horizonthalonius (Devilshead, Turk's Head Cactus, Blue Barrel Cactus, Eagle's Claw, Horse Maimer, Horse Crippler, Visngaga Meloncillo) Native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, these plants form a grey-green to blue-grey rounded body with a cylindrical, flat-topped shape. Spines are pink, grey, or brown and can be over 1.5 inches long. Plants can reach up to 18 inches tall by 8 inches wide. Flowers are bright pink to magenta, and bloom around midday, closing up that evening. Fruits that follow blooms are hairy or woolly and pinkish-red in color. Subspecies Echinocactus horizontalis diabolicus is also known under the hybrid name Echinocactus x diabolicus, and is thought to be a hybrid between this species and Echinocactus platyacanthus. |
|
|
Echinocactus parryi (Homalocephala parryi) (Horse Crippler, Devil's Pincushion) This cactus is endemic to the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, and forms a rounded, dark green plant with long pink to peach-colored spines. Flowers are yellow with reddish centers. Individual plants are rounded and reach up to 8-12 inches tall and 10-16 inches wide, and are typically solitary, but mature plants can produce branches. Flowers are yellow. |
|
Echinocactus platyacanthus (Giant Barrel Cactus, Golden Barrel Cactus, Giant Viznaga, Biznaga de Dulce, Huitzli Nahual, Large Barrel Cactus) These Mexican native plants are the largest in their genus. In Mexico, its hairs are used for weaving, and candy (Acitrón) is made using the pith. It is a slow-grower that eventually reaches up to over 8 feet tall and 5 feet wide. They can live for over 100 years, and have grey-blue stems and straight, black, rigid spines. This species is protected in its native range due to overharvesting for the plant trade. |
|
Caring for echinocactus
Take care when planting these cacti in the landscape, as they are highly valuable and heavily poached. These plants also produce very sharp spines which can puncture clothing and skin. Plant these Barrel Cacti in a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best overall growth. Ensure that soil is very well-draining and has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral or slightly alkaline). Echinocactus like a soil that is amended with plenty of sand and perlite to improve drainage. Apply a layer of rock mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention.
These Cacti appreciate a 'soak and dry' watering method. Water thoroughly when the soil is completely dried out during the growing season in spring and summertime. When plants are dormant in fall and winter, they should not be watered. These Cacti do not need to be fertilized, and rarely need pruning, as they are low-maintenance, slow-growing, and maintain their shape naturally. They typically thrive on neglect. Pruning is only necessary to remove dead or diseased sections due to root or crown rot. Damaged spines and spent flowers can be removed at any time during the growing season (spring or summertime). Avoid cutting into healthy, green flesh as this can damage the plant and invite insect and disease to take hold. Echinocactus plants are very long-lived perennials, able to survive in the landscape for between 30 and 100 years before needing to be replaced.
Caring for Echinocactus in Containers
Barrel Cacti are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. This allows for growers in cooler climates to care for these warm-weather plants correctly; they should be brought indoors or into a greenhouse environment when outdoor temperatures drop below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Choose a pot that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a dry, very well-draining soil (peat amended with plenty of sand and perlite is typically sufficient), and top with a layer of rock mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Place the container in a space that receives full sun; These Cacti appreciate a 'soak and dry' watering method. Water thoroughly when the soil is completely dried out during the growing season in spring and summertime. When plants are dormant in fall and winter, they should not be watered. These Cacti do not need to be fertilized, and rarely need pruning, as they are low-maintenance, slow-growing, and maintain their shape naturally. They typically thrive on neglect. Pruning is only necessary to remove dead or diseased sections due to root or crown rot. Damaged spines and spent flowers can be removed at any time during the growing season (spring or summertime). Avoid cutting into healthy, green flesh as this can damage the plant and invite insect and disease to take hold. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.
Caring for Echinocactus Indoors
In temperate and cooler zones, these Cacti can be cultivated as indoor or greenhouse plants. They do well in areas that remain above 65 degrees Fahrenheit year-round; they can be grown outdoors during the warmer months of the year and brought indoors when temperatures drop in fall and winter. Choose a pot that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a dry, very well-draining soil (peat amended with plenty of sand and perlite is typically sufficient), and top with a layer of rock mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Ideally, Echinocactus appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best overall growth, and when grown indoors should be situated inside a south-facing window. If indoor light is insufficient, a grow light can be used to supplement natural light. These Cacti appreciate a 'soak and dry' watering method. Water thoroughly when the soil is completely dried out during the growing season in spring and summertime. When plants are dormant in fall and winter, they should not be watered. They do not need to be fertilized, and rarely need pruning, as they are low-maintenance, slow-growing, and maintain their shape naturally. They typically thrive on neglect. Pruning is only necessary to remove dead or diseased sections due to root or crown rot. Damaged spines and spent flowers can be removed at any time during the growing season (spring or summertime). Avoid cutting into healthy, green flesh as this can damage the plant and invite insect and disease to take hold. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.
These Cacti appreciate a 'soak and dry' watering method. Water thoroughly when the soil is completely dried out during the growing season in spring and summertime. When plants are dormant in fall and winter, they should not be watered. These Cacti do not need to be fertilized, and rarely need pruning, as they are low-maintenance, slow-growing, and maintain their shape naturally. They typically thrive on neglect. Pruning is only necessary to remove dead or diseased sections due to root or crown rot. Damaged spines and spent flowers can be removed at any time during the growing season (spring or summertime). Avoid cutting into healthy, green flesh as this can damage the plant and invite insect and disease to take hold. Echinocactus plants are very long-lived perennials, able to survive in the landscape for between 30 and 100 years before needing to be replaced.
Caring for Echinocactus in Containers
Barrel Cacti are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. This allows for growers in cooler climates to care for these warm-weather plants correctly; they should be brought indoors or into a greenhouse environment when outdoor temperatures drop below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Choose a pot that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a dry, very well-draining soil (peat amended with plenty of sand and perlite is typically sufficient), and top with a layer of rock mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Place the container in a space that receives full sun; These Cacti appreciate a 'soak and dry' watering method. Water thoroughly when the soil is completely dried out during the growing season in spring and summertime. When plants are dormant in fall and winter, they should not be watered. These Cacti do not need to be fertilized, and rarely need pruning, as they are low-maintenance, slow-growing, and maintain their shape naturally. They typically thrive on neglect. Pruning is only necessary to remove dead or diseased sections due to root or crown rot. Damaged spines and spent flowers can be removed at any time during the growing season (spring or summertime). Avoid cutting into healthy, green flesh as this can damage the plant and invite insect and disease to take hold. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.
Caring for Echinocactus Indoors
In temperate and cooler zones, these Cacti can be cultivated as indoor or greenhouse plants. They do well in areas that remain above 65 degrees Fahrenheit year-round; they can be grown outdoors during the warmer months of the year and brought indoors when temperatures drop in fall and winter. Choose a pot that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a dry, very well-draining soil (peat amended with plenty of sand and perlite is typically sufficient), and top with a layer of rock mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Ideally, Echinocactus appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best overall growth, and when grown indoors should be situated inside a south-facing window. If indoor light is insufficient, a grow light can be used to supplement natural light. These Cacti appreciate a 'soak and dry' watering method. Water thoroughly when the soil is completely dried out during the growing season in spring and summertime. When plants are dormant in fall and winter, they should not be watered. They do not need to be fertilized, and rarely need pruning, as they are low-maintenance, slow-growing, and maintain their shape naturally. They typically thrive on neglect. Pruning is only necessary to remove dead or diseased sections due to root or crown rot. Damaged spines and spent flowers can be removed at any time during the growing season (spring or summertime). Avoid cutting into healthy, green flesh as this can damage the plant and invite insect and disease to take hold. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.
Propagation
There are two main ways to propagate Echinocacti: by offset and by seed. The easiest way is through offset because it requires the least amount of disruption to the parent plant and ensures that you will get an exact clone, which is something not guaranteed by the seed propagation method. Peruse the propagation methods for Echinocactus below:
Propagating Echinocactus by Division
The easiest way to propagate Echinocactus is by identifying and removing offsets and replanting them. To propagate your Echinocactus by offset, you'll need a clean trowel and a pot filled with soil half amended with gritty sand (or filled with cactus/succulent mix). Once you've gathered your materials, follow these steps:
Propagating Echinocactus by Seed
Propagating Echinocactus by Division
The easiest way to propagate Echinocactus is by identifying and removing offsets and replanting them. To propagate your Echinocactus by offset, you'll need a clean trowel and a pot filled with soil half amended with gritty sand (or filled with cactus/succulent mix). Once you've gathered your materials, follow these steps:
- Loosen the soil around the bottom of your Cacti where the offset has formed and locate its connection to the parent plant. Cut it from the parent plant with a sharp, clean trowel or knife. Take care to not damage the offset or the parent plant during this process.
- Then, place the offset in a shaded, dry area that receives good ventilation for a few days until it forms a callous where it was cut from the parent plant.
- Plant your offset in a pot filled with potting mix and lightly moisten the soil, ensuring that adequate drainage is occurring. Place the container in an area that receives bright light and stays relatively warm.
- Water every time the top inch or two of soil dry out, but don't saturate the soil. After a few weeks of this watering schedule, the offset should be ready to be planted outside in its permanent home. Then, follow the instructions in the care section to grow your pup into an adult plant.
Propagating Echinocactus by Seed
- Gather your materials and fill your pot with potting mix amended with plenty of sand and perlite (to increase drainage). Place the seeds on top of the soil about a centimeter apart, and cover them with a layer of coarse sand.
- Water the seeds, being careful to not disturb their placement under the sand. Keep the seeds moist but not wet as they germinate, which should happen in 1 to 3 weeks' time. The pot or tray should be in an area that receives bright indirect light. It is important to attempt to germinate more than a few seeds, as it is likely that not all seeds will germinate successfully. After most of the seeds have germinated, increase ventilation and provide the seedlings with good light, but not direct sunlight. About five weeks after germination, cut watering to about once a week, allowing the soil to dry out in between waterings. Do not provide water if the soil is still moist.
- Harden off seedlings by placing them outdoors for increasing amounts of time over a few weeks so that they do not experience transplant shock when they are planted in their forever home outdoors. Once established in the landscape, return to regular care guidelines above.
Echinocactus seeds are held in pods where flowers once bloomed and are typically harvested when pods can be gently pulled off.
|
Echinocactus seeds are typically shiny, small, and dark brown to black in color.
|
Problems and Pests
Echinocacti are susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape:
- Mealybugs
- Spider Mites
- Sale
- Root Nematodes
- Root Rot
Gallery
Videos
|
Check out these Cacti in their native environment.
|
Compare the different species of Barrel Cactus.
|
|
Safety first! How to handle Cacti without getting injured.
|
Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 296, Echinocactus
