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    • Photo of Echinocactus grusonii form by Far Out Flora

    Photo by Far Out Flora

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Buy Echinocactus grusonii

    Also Known As

    • Golden Barrel Cactus

    Plant type

    cactus / succulent

    size

    • H: 2'-3'
    • W: 2'-3'

    planting zones

    • 9a-12

    6in | $16

    Buy button links directly to nursery

    Fewer than 6 at Dry Oasis Plants

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    Echinocactus grusonii plant details

    Echinocactus grusonii is an evergreen cactus / succulent with blue and green foliage. In fall and summer yellow flowers emerge. Grows well with sun and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry when dormant. Does well in well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Echinocactus grusonii

    Plant type: cactus / succulent
    Plant family: cactaceae
    Foliage: evergreen blue and green
    Mature size: 2 FT - 3 FT - wide, 2 FT - 3 FT - tall
    Flowers: yellow blooms in fall and summer
    Uses: bare root shipping available, container plant, houseplant, long-blooming, rock garden, spiky, year round interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Echinocactus grusonii

    USDA Zones: 9a - 12
    Sun exposure: sun
    Watering frequency: occasional - low
    Resistant to: verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: well-drained

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    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    The Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii) is a stunning and low-maintenance succulent that adds a touch of desert charm to any garden. This round, spiky cactus is known for its striking golden-yellow coloration and iconic barrel shape. It thrives in well-drained soil and loves full sun, making it a perfect choice for xeriscaping. With its slow growth rate and minimal water requirements, it's an excellent choice for busy gardeners or those in arid climates. The Golden Barrel Cactus is a popular choice for landscaping, adding a touch of Southwestern beauty to your outdoor space while requiring minimal care.

    By: Dry Oasis Plants

    The Golden Barrel Cactus, a globular and beautiful cactus with many symmetrical ribs covered in golden spines. Slow growing and gets very large! Seed grown in house. Looks great all by itself in a pot or with taller structural plants in a desert garden.

    By: Paradise Found Nursery

    Full Sun. Outdoor. 1.5 to 2" Yellow Flowers .

    By: Moon - Sun Cactus & Koi Gardens

    Echinocactus grusonii, the Golden Barrel Cactus, is one of the most popular of all cacti in cultivation. It is much admired for its large rotund form, dramatically adorned with neat rows of clustered golden spines. The flowers are also golden yellow in color, emerging from the large patch of wool at the center of the plant. They are produced a few at a time over a long period during the growing season in the warm months of the year. Large plants attain a size of over 2 feet across, and may remain single or produce plantlets at the side to form a clump. They come from Queretaro State in Mexico, but have become very scarce in the wild due to inundation of much of their natural habitat from construction of a dam. Echinocactus, with 6 species, is one of the 2 genera of cacti commonly known as barrel cacti. The other genus, with considerably more species, is Ferocactus. The two groups are widely distributed in the southwestern US and Mexico. The Golden Barrel Cactus is one of The Ruth Bancroft Garden’s signature plants, and is a favorite of volunteers and visitors. Each September the Golden Barrel Cactus Award for Philanthropy, named for our prized plant, is presented at the Annual Dinner In The Garden benefit. This year the founder of The Garden Conservancy, Frank and Anne Cabot, will receive the award.

    By: The Ruth Bancroft Garden

    Solitary round barrels to 4'd., occasional clumps, golden spines. Hardy to 20 °F if dry in winter.

    By: Cactus Jungle

    Gardening facts about Echinocactus grusonii plant

    How to Grow Echinocactus grusonii

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun

    • Water Needs

      • occasional - drought tolerant

    • Water Needs

      • dry when dormant

    • Soil Needs

      • well-drained

    • Special Situation

      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green
      • blue

    • Flower Color

      • yellow

    • Flower Season

      • summer
      • fall

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    See other plant types of Echinocactus for your garden

    Echinocactus horizonthalonius

    aka Meyerocactus horizonthalonius, Devil's Head Cactus

    Plant Type

    Cactus / Succulent

    Zones

    8b-10b

    Size

    Height: 6"-12"

    Width: 4"-8"

    • sun
    • low
    • dry when dormant
    Photo of Echinocactus horizonthalonius foliage by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

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    Echinocactus polycephalus

    aka Echinocactus xeranthemoides, Biznaga De Chilitos, Cottontop Barrel Cactus, Cottontop Cactus, Harem Cactus, Many-Headed Barrel Cactus, Woolly-Headed Barrel Cactus

    Plant Type

    Cactus / Succulent

    Zones

    8b-11

    Size

    Height: 12"-24"

    Width: 24"-48"

    • sun - mostly sun
    • drought tolerant
    • dry when dormant
    Photo of Echinocactus polycephalus foliage by Christer Johansson
    View Plant

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    Echinocactus texensis

    aka Echinocactus lindheimeri, Homalocephala texensis, Candy Cactus, Horse Crippler

    Plant Type

    Cactus / Succulent

    Zones

    7a-11

    Size

    Height: 8"

    Width: 12"

    • sun
    • low
    Photo of Echinocactus texensis flower by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

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    Denmoza rhodacantha

    aka Cereus rhodacanthus, Cleistocactus rhodacanthus, Denmoza erythrocephala, Denmoza rhodacantha var. diamantina, Denmoza rodacantha, Echinocactus erythrocephalus, Echinocactus rhodacanthus, Echinopsis ducis-paulii, Echinopsis rhodacantha, Furiolobivia ducis-paulii, Lobivia ducis-paulii, Lobivia ducis-paulii var. cristata, Pilocereus erythrocephalus, Pilocereus rhodacanthus, Pseudolobivia ducis-pauli, The Anagram Cactus

    Plant Type

    Cactus / Succulent

    Zones

    9b-12

    Size

    Height: 4'-6'

    Width: 1'-2'

    • sun - bright shade
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    Photo of Denmoza rhodacantha close-up, foliage by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

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    Thelocactus bicolor

    aka Cactus bicolor, Echinocactus bicolor, Echinocactus bicolor var. bolaensis, Echinocactus bicolor var. pottsii, Echinocactus bicolor var. tricolor, Echinocactus bolaensis, Echinocactus bolaensis, Echinocactus bolansis, Echinocactus rhodophthalmus, Echinocactus schottii, Echinocactus schottii, Echinocactus wagnerianus, Ferocactus bicolor, Ferocactus bicolor var. bolaensis, Hamatocactus bicolor, Thelocactus bicolor ssp. bolaensis, Thelocactus bicolor var. bolaensis, Thelocactus bicolor var. commodus, Thelocactus bicolor var. pottsii, Thelocactus bicolor var. schottii, Thelocactus bicolor var. schottii, Thelocactus bicolor var. texensis, Thelocactus bicolor var. tricolor, Thelocactus bicolor var. wagnerianus, Thelocactus pottsii, Thelocactus schottii, Thelocactus schottii, Thelocactus wagnerianus, Wagnerianus bicolor var. schottii, Glory of Texas

    Plant Type

    Cactus / Succulent

    Zones

    9b-11

    Size

    Height: 8"

    Width: 8"

    • sun - mostly sun
    • drought tolerant
    • dry when dormant
    Photo of Thelocactus bicolor flower, form by Peter Gabor Sulyan
    View Plant

    More Options

    +49 more Echinocactus
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