Ferocactus

( fee - roh - KAK - tus )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus, also referred to as Barrel Cactus or Fire Barrel, includes species which need full sun and no formal irrigation to perform well in the garden. They are medium to large sized cacti grown for their showy flowers and interesting shapes. These cacti are globular when young, and mature to form taller cylinders covered with sharp spines on their ridges. They are typically green, but can appear flushed with red due to the color of their spines. These cacti are popular in containers, as structural or architectural additions to mixed beds and borders. They do well in desert landscapes, xeriscapes, rock gardens, and drought-tolerant gardens. Take care when planting these cacti in the garden, as they produce sharp spines that can puncture skin and clothing.

Ferocactus Species and Varietals

Ferocactus is a genus in the plant family Cactaceae, and includes about 30 distinct species. Barrel Cactus grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 8-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Ferocactus cylindraceus (Ferocactus acanthodes) (Compass Barrel Cactus, California Barrel Cactus, Desert Barrel Cactus, Miner's Compass)
This species is native to southern California, Nevada, Arizona, and Baja California. It reaches up to 8-9 feet tall and 3 feet wide at maturity and produces orange to yellow bell-shaped flowers from midspring into summertime. Grows curved towards the sun. These cacti typically grow in clusters.

Ferocactus diguetii (Giant Barrel Cactus)
This species is the largest in the genus and is native to islands in the Gulf of California. Individual plants can reach up to 13 feet tall and over 3 feet wide in their native habitat. Ribs produce spines that are yellow to reddish and slightly curbed. Flowers are present from March through May and can be bright red to orange. Fruits are lemon yellow and scaled.

Ferocactus echidne (Echinocactus emnoryi, Ferocactus rectispinus, Ferocactus covillei) (Sonora Barrel, Coville's Barrel Cactus, Emory's Barrel Cactus, Traveler's Friend)
This species is often sold as an ornamental houseplant, and is native to Mexico. It forms a small to medium-sized cactus that can grow alone or in clusters. Shoots are green to grey-green and reach up to 14 inches tall when mature. They produce funnel-shaped yellow or red flowers followed by egg-shaped fruits.

Ferocactus gracilis (Fire Barrel Cactus)
This species is native to northwestern regions of Mexico, and gets is common name due to the bright red coloration of its defensive spines and flowers. It forms green, ribbed shoots to 10 feet tall and spines up to 2 inches long. Flowers are present in spring to early summertime. Fruits that follow are elongated and yellow.

Ferocactus haematacanthus (Blood-Spined Barrel Cactus, Biznaga)
This species is native to Mexico, where it typically grows as a solitary blue-green shoot with bright magenta to reddish spines along ridges. Individual plants reach up to 47 inches tall and 14 inches wide. Flowers are purple-pink to rose-purple and are followed by deep purple fruits that reach up to 1.5 inches long.

Ferocactus herrerae (Twisted Barrel Cactus Herrera's Barrel Cactus, Biznaga)
This species reaches up to 6.5 feet tall when mature, and produces a stem with deep ribs. Summer to early fall flowers are yellow with a red central stripe, and fruits that follow are yellow-green and fleshy. It begins life as a spherical barrel cactus and matures into a cylindrical shape.

Ferocactus pilosus (Mexican Lime Cactus, Mexican Fire Barrel, Biznaga de Lima)
This species of cacti is native to North America, where it grows in desert and arid regions. It can grow singly or form large clumps depending on the landscape and maturity of the plant. They can reach up to 10 feet tall when mature, and produce green stems clothed in reddish-pink spines. Yellow to reddish flowers appear around shoot tips, and are followed by yellow, egg-shaped fruits.

Ferocactus robustus (Barrel Cactus)
This interesting species forms large cushions or round-topped mats of foliage to 40 inches tall and 16 feet wide at maturity. Plants produce reddish to purple spines and funnel-shaped yellow flowers followed by spherical, fleshy, yellow fruits that reach 2 to 3 inches long.

Ferocactus viridescens (Coast Barrel Cactus, Keg Cactus, San Diego Barrel Cactus)
This species is native to southern California, United States and northern Mexico. It forms a spherical bright green stem clothed with large spines. Flowers bloom from early spring through summertime and are bright yellow (rarely reddish). This species is hardy down to 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ferocactus wislizzenii (Fishhook Barrel Cactus, Arizona Barrel Cactus, Candy Barrel Cactus, Southwestern Barrel Cactus)
This species is native to Arizona, Texas, and Mexico and has yellow or yellow-edged red summertime flowers. Shoots reach up to about 8 to 9 feet tall and 3 feet wide at maturity, and are clothed in spines.

Caring for ferocactus

Take care when planting these cacti in the garden, as they produce sharp spines that can puncture skin and clothing. 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. 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. Ferocactus plants are very long-lived perennials, able to survive in the landscape for between 50 and 130 years before needing to be replaced. They are slow-growing, often adding just 1-3 inches to their height annually.

Caring for Ferocactus 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.

Propagation

There are two main ways to propagate Ferocacti: 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 Barrel Cactus below:

Propagating Ferocactus by Division
The easiest way to propagate Ferocactus 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 offset into an adult plant.

Propagating Ferocactus 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.