A clumping cactus from Argentina with thick, ribbed green stems and golden spines that arch and sprawl with age. In spring it opens fragrant white flowers 6–8 inches across. They open at night and last into the next morning, so early risers get the best of the show.
Living with it in the Phoenix Valley
Watering
Follow the cactus guidance in our Landscape Care guide. Once established it rarely needs extra water. Well-drained soil matters most; soggy ground leads to root rot.
Pruning
Little is needed. Every few years, remove long stems that break off or trail across the ground. Those pieces root easily after being left to callus for a few weeks.
Cold
It handles a typical Phoenix winter. On rare nights in the low 20s, cover young plants and fresh growth.
How our designers use it
Spring flower show
Placed where it can be seen in the early morning, its spring flowers give a short but memorable show.
Low, sprawling texture
Its arching stems fill a bed between boulders or spill along the edge of a raised planter.
Containers
It does well in large, shallow pots, where its golden spines catch low light.
Good to know
Around the pool
The golden spines are long and stiff, and the stems sprawl outward over time. Keep it well back from pool decks, walkways and play areas, and allow room for it to widen.
