Cleistocactus winteri
golden rat tail
A trailing cactus with cylindrical, fleshy stems to 1.5m long, densely covered with golden yellow, bristle-like spines. In summer it produces orange-red flowers to 5cm long. Best grown in a hanging basket in a conservatory or temperate greenhouse
Other common names
gold-spined hildewinteragold-spined winterocereus
Synonyms
Winterocereus aureispinusBorzicactus aureispinus
see moreCleistocactus aureispinus
Hildewintera aureispina
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Red | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Cactaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Trailing
- Genus
Cleistocactus are erect columnar cacti with ribbed, eventually branched, cylindrical stems bearing dense spines and tubular flowers
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Bolivia
How to grow
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in standard cactus compost in full light and with low humidity. In the growing season water moderately and apply a dilute low-nitrogen fertiliser monthly. Keep completely dry from mid-autumn to spring. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further information
Propagation
Propagate by stem cuttings in summer, or by seed sown in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- hanging basket
- Houseplants
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to mealybugs
Diseases
May be susceptible to root rots
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.