Echinopsis

( ek - in - NOP - siss )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Sea Urchin Cactus, Easter Lily Cactus or Hedgehog Cactus, this genus includes species which need full sun and regular water during growth and blooming periods to perform well in the landscape. Species are native to South America. There are many varieties, all easy to grow with showy flowers. Blooms come in white, yellow, pink, red, and orange and appear during the warmer months of the year. Use these cacti in xeriscaping or drought-tolerant beds, rock gardens, or containers. They are often not heavily spined, and are safe to plant near walkways and patios.

Echinopsis Species and Varietals

The genus Echinopsis is a member of the plant family Cactaceae and includes around 80 distinct species. The best growing zones for Echinopsis vary depending on the species, though zones 8b to 11b are ideal for most plants in the genus. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Echinopsis ancistrophora (Echinopsis hamatacantha, Lobivia acistrophora) (Easter Lily Cactus, Domino Cactus, Blooming Hedgehog)
These cacti grow best in USDA hardiness zones 9a-11b or Sunset growing zones 16, 17 and 21-24. They are rounded plants, with red to yellow flowers. These plants reach up to 4 inches tall and 2 inches thick at maturity and produce large, fragrant white, pink, or red flowers up to 10 inches across.

Echinopsis bruchii (Lobivia bruchii, Soehrensia bruchii, Trichocereus bruchii) (South American Golden Barrel, Golden Barrel of the Andes, Argentine Barrel Cacti)
This species of cacti forms a single round stem 1 foot tall and about as wide at maturity. Spines are yellow, and flowers are bright reddish orange, blooming in spring and summertime. Blooms last for between 1 and 3 days each. This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 7 (with protection) to 11b.

Echinopsis chamaecereus (Chamaecereus sylvestri, Lobevia sylvestri) (Peanut Cactus, Dwarf Cactus)
This species grows to reach just 4 inches tall and 1-2 feet wide, and is easily broken at joints. These plants are easy to propagate using broken joints, which form new roots quickly. Even small plants will produce scarlet flowers from late spring through early summertime. This species is suited for USDA hardiness zones 9-11. They are hardy down to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Echinopsis chrysantha (Lobivia chrysantha) (Hedgehog Cactus, Sea Urchin Cactus)
This species of cacti forms a single stem that reaches up to 2.5 inches tall and three inches wide at maturity. Flowers are orange-yellow with a purple center and bloom in late spring and early summertime in the plant's native range (South America).

Echinopsis eyriesii (Easter Lily Cactus, Sea Urchin Cactus, Pink Easter Lily Cactus, Eyries Cactus)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 8a-11b or Sunset growing zones 16, 17 and 21-24. It forms a cylindrical, dark-spined cactus that reaches 6-12 inches tall and 2-4 feet wide at maturity. These cacti form clumps and sprout large white flowers in spring and summer. These plants are considered invasive in South Africa and the Galápagos Islands.

Echinopsis haageana (Lobivia haageana) (Easter Lily Cactus, Hedgehog Cactus, Sea Urchin Cactus)
These cacti produces a single stem 1 foot tall and 3 inches thick. Flowers are long and yellow with reddish throats. This species is suited for USDA hardiness zones 9a-11b and can only handle short periods of time at temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

Echinopsis maximiliana (Lobivia maximiliana) (Hedgehog Cactus)
This plant forms a cluster of cylinders, each 6 inches tall and 2 inches thick. They have dark, inch-long spines and produce orange-red flowers in spring and summertime. These Cacti are suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 9a-11b. There are three subspecies in the genus.

Caring for Echinopsis

Plant Echinopsis, or Hedgehog 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 and plant health. 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). Echinopsis cacti 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. Echinopsis plants are long-lived perennials, able to survive in the landscape for between 10 to 20 years (some species over 50 years) before needing to be replaced.

Caring for Echinopsis in Containers
Hedgehog 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. 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.

Propagation

There are two main ways to propagate Echinopsis: 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 Hedgehog Cacti below:

Propagating Echinopsis by Division
The easiest way to propagate Echinopsis is by identifying and removing offsets and replanting them. To propagate your Echinopsis 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 offset into an adult plant.

Propagating Echinopsis 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 4 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.