Echinopsis ancistrophora

RHS Plant Profile

barbed sea urchin cactus

Synonyms

Echinopsis subdenudata

Cactus Succulent

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A spherical ribbed cactus, up to 8cm across, with an evergreen stem with up to twenty ribs along which are star-shaped clusters of up to ten recurved spines, and flowering stems, held above the main stem, with white or pink-tinged white flowers, 10-16cm across, in spring or early summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0-0.1 metre
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H2
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Cactaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Echinopsis can have spherical or cylindrical, heavily ribbed and spiny stems, with funnel-shaped flowers in spring or summer
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Bolivia, NW Argentina

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a cool frost-free greenhouse (minimum temperature 2-7ºC) in very free-draining compost, such as peat-free John Innes No. 2 with at least an equal amount of grit or fine gravel, in bright, filtered light, and water moderately while growing, but keep dry from mid-autumn until early spring; for more advice, see houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division from offsets

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free