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Photo by Susan Barnum

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Cylindropuntia spinosior

Also Known As

Opuntia spinosior
Cane Cholla
Walking Stick Cactus

Plant type

shrub, cactus / succulent

size

H: 5'-8'
W: 5'-8'

planting zones

5a-11

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Cylindropuntia spinosior plant details

Cylindropuntia spinosior is an evergreen cactus / succulent or shrub with green foliage. In spring and summer purple, red, white and yellow flowers emerge followed by yellow fruit. Attracts hummingbirds. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in winter. Does well in average, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Cylindropuntia spinosior

Plant type: cactus / succulent or shrub
Plant family: cactaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 5 FT - 8 FT - wide, 5 FT - 8 FT - tall
Flowers: purple, red, white and yellow blooms in spring and summer
Uses: architectural, container plant, desert garden, rock garden, xeric

GROWING CONDITIONS for Cylindropuntia spinosior

USDA Zones: 5a - 11
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: occasional - low
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Full Sun. Outdoor. Yellow to Red Flowers.

By: Moon - Sun Cactus & Koi Gardens

This cholla-type Opuntia is similar to O. imbricata, but with a more dense covering of whiter spines. Flowers may be yellow or red—unfortunately, I didn't see them to tell you exactly what the color on these plants will be. Seed from Las Cruces, NM. Hardy to at least -10 °F. DS.

By: The Desert Northwest

Tall, architectural cactus found in southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico in Mexico and growing up to 8' tall with thick joints that are gray-green and tinted purple, with darker purple tones in winter, and covered in gray spines. The flowers that appear in late spring to early summer can vary in color from white to yellow to red or purple - in this clone purple. Best in lean soil and bright light with little to no summer water. Frost hardy to -20 °F, USDA Zone 5.