Echinopsis aurea

RHS Plant Profile
golden Easter lily cactus

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Synonyms

Lobivia aurea

Award of Garden Merit
Cactus Succulent

A solitary or sometimes clump-forming cactus with markedly grooved stems to 15cm tall. In late spring it produces trumpet-shaped yellow flowers to 10cm long

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid 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
N Argentina

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in cactus compost in full light. From midspring to early autum water moderately and apply a half-strength balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; keep completely dry at other times. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed at 21°C in spring; separate offsets in spring or summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs and scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free