Plant Min Zone: 5a
Plant Max Zone: 8b
Sunlight: All Day Full Sun, Full Sun, Part Sun, Shade
Water / Rainfall: Very Low, Low, Average
Soil Quality: Poor, Average
Bloom Season: Summer
Flower Color: Yellow, White, Orange
Berry / Fruit Color: Red
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
Height: 0.5' - 1'
Width: 1' - 2'
Growth Rate: Slow
Service Life: Medium: 3-5 years
Maintenance Need: Low
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: Root Rot Disease, Mealy Bugs
Plant Limitations: Needs Excellent Drainage, Has Thorns
Shippable in 2026: YES
Maihueniopsis nigrispina / darwinii is so rare in cultivation it really has no established common name. This plant is widespread in its natural habitat ranging form from Peru to Chile, Argentina and Bolivia and other Patagonian mountain ranges. Located at high altitudes (6500-9500 feet above the sea level), UV radiation is strong and temperatures can change drastically from freezing cold to much warmer during the day. It is cold hardy with extremely well drained soils and proper siting, this cactus seems to take our excess rainfall in Eastern Kansas. These and other hardy 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! Good results so far, survived one winter with -16 degrees F one night in January 2026 in our crevice garden. It had a light dry snow cover that melted / sublimed after a day. The following night the temperature reached -9 degrees F. Watch for future updates-Jan-2027