Echinocactus Platyacanthus - 15 seeds - Giant Barrel Cactus Cacti

Echinocactus Platyacanthus - Giant Barrel Cactus

  15 Seeds


Also known as the giant barrel cactus, Echinocactus Platycanthus is native to the Chihuahua Desert in Mexico, and the largest of the barrel cacti. The pith of the cactus is used to make sweets known as biznaga.

A slow-growing and long lived cacti, mature specimens are deeply ribbed and lined with brown-black spines. They can reach up to 2.5m tall and 1.5m wide, and older specimens tend to have white wool on their heads where the flowers emerge. Flowers are about 2cm in height and 6-8cm long, and a vivid yellow, appearing from the end of spring to summer on older cacti that receive enough full sun.

Frost tender, minimum temperature of around 5°C, but can tolerate up to -4°C for short periods. Cold hardiness increases with improved drainage, so keeping dry during winter is a must.