Echinocactus grusonii

RHS Plant Profile
golden barrel cactus

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golden barrel cactus RHS
golden barrel cactus RHS 2003

Other common names

golden ball cactus, mother-in-law's seat

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Cactus Succulent Conservatory Greenhouse
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A barrel-shaped stem to 50cm in height, with deep ribs bearing yellowish spines and, on mature plants, yellow flowers to 6cm in length

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–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)
H1C
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
Columnar upright
Genus
Echinocactus are slow-growing cacti with barrel-shaped or columnar, deeply ribbed stems bearing strong spines, and bell-shaped flowers in summer
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Mexico

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added extra grit. Water moderately when in growth, not at all when dormant in autumn/winter. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser 2 or 3 times in the growing season. Can mark on the surface if the environment is too humid

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free