Plant Min Zone: 6a
Plant Max Zone: 10a
Sunlight: All Day Full Sun, Full Sun
Water / Rainfall: Very Low, Low
Soil Quality: Poor, Average
Bloom Season: Summer
Flower Color: Magenta, Pink
Berry / Fruit Color: Yellow, Green
Spring Foliage Color: Green
Summer Foliage Color: Green
Fall Foliage Color: Green
Evergreen Foliage: Yes
Winter Interest: Yes
Scented Flowers: No
Drought Tolerance: High
Wet-Feet Tolerance: Low
Humidity Tolerance: Low
Wind Tolerance: High
Poor Soil Tolerance: Sandy Soils, Rocky Soils, Alkaline Soils (high PH)
Height: 0.25' - 0.5'
Width: 0.25' - 0.5'
Growth Rate: Extremely Slow
Service Life: Long: 5-10 years
Maintenance Need: Almost Zero Maintenance
Spreading Potential: Extremely Low
Yearly Trimming Tips: Yuccas and Cacti Need No Trimming Except to Remove the Dead Flower Stalk.
Plant Grouping Size: Specimen Planting of 1-3
Best Side of House: South Exposure, West Exposure
Extreme Planting Locations: Survives Under Roof Overhang, Survives Severe Drought, Tolerates Extreme Heat, Resistant to Rabbits, Crevice Gardens
Ornamental Features: Multiple Seasons of Interest
Special Landscape Uses: None
Possible Pest Problems: Stem/Crown Disease, Root Rot Disease
Plant Limitations: Needs Excellent Drainage, May get Occasional Winter-kill, Has Thorns
This beautiful small barrel type cactus (Echinocactus texensis) features stout spines, bluish green skin, and pink/magenta flowers with red throats and bright red fruits. Being indigenous to Texas, New Mexico and even parts of Oklahoma, it can handle more extreme cold and moisture than most other cacti. Called the "Horse Crippler Cactus" for obvious reasons, you wouldn't want to step on this. With extremely well drained soils and proper siting, this cactus seems to take our excess rainfall in Eastern Kansas. These and other hardy barrel cacti are perfect for a dry mounded xeriscape gardens under south facing roof overhangs where it gets no winter moisture. We are also testing this outside in our Lawrence, KS (zone 6a) crevice garden among other cold-hardy cacti, succulents, and yucca! Survival was successful during the more mild 2022-2023 winter with lows down to -5F, along with the harsh week of 2024 January weather that dipped down to -11F with a daytime high of -1F on one of those days. We will keep you posted after 2024)