Echinopsis spp.

south American hedgehog cactuses

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Fragrant (moderate)Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

HardinessZones 8–11

Overview

Echinopsis spp. is a genus of about 130 species of cacti native to South America, ranging from small clustering globes to columnar plants. Stems are green and ribbed, with 5 to 38 vertical ribs lined with areoles bearing spines 0.04-4 inch (1-100 mm) long. Plant size spans 4 inch to 20 ft (10 cm to 6 m) tall depending on species; small clumping forms such as E. eyriesii stay under 6 inch (15 cm), while columnar species formerly placed in Trichocereus spp. reach tree height. Flowers open from the stem flanks on a long tubular receptacle 4-10 inch (10-25 cm) long, funnel-shaped, 2-8 inch (5-20 cm) wide, in white, pink, red, yellow, or orange. Many species flower at night and last one to two days; others stay open through the day. Fruit is a fleshy ovoid berry 0.4-2 inch (1-5 cm) holding small black seeds. Spine length and flower color vary widely between species, so a single description does not fit the whole genus. Most species grow in seasonally dry montane and lowland habitats and store water in the stem, which limits frost tolerance in all but a few high-altitude species.

Native Range

Echinopsis spp. is native to South America, with species distributed across the Andes and adjacent lowlands from Ecuador and Peru south through Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, and Argentina. The genus reaches its greatest diversity in the dry valleys and montane grasslands of Bolivia and Argentina.

Suggested Uses

Grown as container specimens, in rock gardens, and in heated greenhouses in cold-winter regions. Frost-hardy montane species are used in outdoor desert and gravel plantings in mild climates. Compact clustering species are kept as windowsill houseplants.

How to Identify

Recognized by solitary or clustering green stems with prominent vertical ribs and areoles spaced along the rib crests. Funnel-shaped flowers emerge from the stem sides, not the top, on a long hairy or scaly tube. Globular species are flattened to spherical with 8-18 ribs, while columnar species are cylindrical and branched from the base.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 20'

Width/Spread2" - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs mainly in late spring and summer, from roughly May to August in the Northern Hemisphere. Buds develop on the stem flanks and open over a single night or day, with each flower lasting one to two days. Individual plants may produce several flushes across the warm season when watered.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White, pink, red, yellow, orange

Foliage Description

Green ribbed stems (leafless)

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Time to Maturity

3-5 years to flowering size

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in sharp-draining mineral soil in full sun, with light afternoon shade reducing scorch in hot climates. Plants take regular water during spring and summer growth, with the soil drying between waterings, and stay nearly dry through winter dormancy. Most species tolerate brief lows near 30F (-1C); high-altitude species withstand harder frost, while lowland species are damaged by it. Abrupt moves from shade into intense sun can scorch the stems. Container plants flower freely when slightly root-bound. Mealybugs and scale are the most common pests.

Pruning

Pruning is not required for natural form. Offsets can be removed at the base with a clean cut for propagation or to limit clump spread, with the cut surface left to callus before replanting. Damaged or rotted stem sections are cut back to firm green tissue.