Golden Barrel (Echinocactus grusonii)

Golden Barrel
Scientific Name: Echinocactus grusonii Hildmann
Family: Cactaceae
Recommended Temperature Zone:
sunset: 11-24
USDA: 9-12

Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 14° F (-10°C) for short periods
Minimum Avg. Temperature: 55°F (12°C)
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Origin: Mexico (Queretaro) where it is endangered in the wild
Growth Habits: Cylindrical, slowly growing to 3 feet tall (90 cm), 3 feet in diameter
Watering Needs: Water generously in summer
Propagation: Seeds

The Golden Barrel is one of the most common landscape cactus in the American Southwest. It is popular for its golden spines that keep looking attractive after several years.
The young Echinocactus are often available on the cactus displays in garden centers. They look quite different from the mature specimens. As the other Echinocactus and Ferocactus seedlings, the rib structure is not yet apparent, and they have pronounced tubercles making them look superficially like Mammillarias.

Blooming Habits:
The Golden Barrel has 1.5 to 2 inches (4-5 cm) yellow flowers from end of March to end of April. The flowers are produced only on mature specimens receiving enough full sun. The flowers are not very visible being small in relation with the size of the barrel, and lost into the creamy colored wool at the top of the globe.

Gardening in Nevada Home Page | List of All the Plants | More in the Cactaceae family