Cylindropuntia kleiniae

Also Known As

Opuntia kleiniae
Candle Cholla

Plant type

cactus / succulent

size

H: 3'-4'
W: 2'-3'

planting zones

5a-10b

More Options

Cylindropuntia kleiniae plant details

Cylindropuntia kleiniae is an evergreen cactus / succulent with green foliage. In spring and summer purple flowers emerge. Attracts bees and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in winter. Does well in gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Cylindropuntia kleiniae

Plant type: cactus / succulent
Plant family: cactaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 2 FT - 3 FT - wide, 3 FT - 4 FT - tall
Flowers: purple blooms in spring and summer
Uses: container plant, desert garden, rock garden, spiky, xeric

GROWING CONDITIONS for Cylindropuntia kleiniae

USDA Zones: 5a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: occasional - low
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Upright, narrow, spiny, cylindrical stems. Vigorous, flowers not seen yet. Like a giant green prickly tinkertoy, this medium-sized cholla will reach about 4' over time with numerous branches. Having much narrower stems than O. imbricata, with fewer, longer spines, one could think of it as a giant form of O. leptocaulis. Most collectors of hardy cacti would not be without this plant, since it is rather unique in form. I haven't seen the flowers of this form yet, but purple is likely. From a garden in Eastern Washington, it is certainly hardy to at least -20 °F, perhaps much lower.