Escobaria vivipara
Spinystar
Overview
Escobaria vivipara, spinystar, is a small, low cactus of the central and western plains, growing as a solitary or clustering ball 1-6 inches (2.5-15 cm) tall and 1-4 inches (2.5-10 cm) across. The stem is covered in dense, star-like clusters of stiff white to gray radial spines tipped with a few darker central spines, hiding much of the green surface. In early to midsummer it bears pink to magenta flowers about 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) across near the crown, each with many narrow pointed petals that open in sun. Greenish fleshy fruits follow and hold seeds that may germinate while still attached, the trait behind the name vivipara. It is native to dry, open grassland, rocky slopes, and plains from central Canada south through the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain states into Mexico, on lean, gritty, well-drained soil. It withstands winter temperatures down to about -35 F (-37 C), surviving by shrinking and pulling below the soil surface. It rots quickly in wet or rich ground and is slow-growing, so it needs sharp drainage, full sun, and patience rather than feeding or water.
Native Range
Escobaria vivipara is native to central and western North America, from the prairie provinces of Canada south through the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain states into northern Mexico. It grows in dry grassland, on rocky slopes, and on gravelly plains in lean, fast-draining soil.Suggested Uses
Escobaria vivipara is used in rock gardens, troughs, cactus and succulent plantings, and dry raised beds in cold-winter regions. Its summer flowers draw bees to otherwise sparse, dry ground.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1" - 6"
Width/Spread1" - 4"
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in early to midsummer, often June and July, the pink to magenta flowers opening in full sun and closing at night over a few days. Bloom timing follows warmth and moisture and can be brief in dry years. Greenish fruits ripen later in summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pink to magentaFoliage Description
green spiny stemGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow Escobaria vivipara in full sun in very gritty, fast-draining mineral soil with a neutral to alkaline pH of about 6.5 to 8.0. It needs almost no water beyond natural rainfall and is highly prone to rot in wet, rich, or poorly drained ground. Keep it dry through winter, when the stem naturally shrinks and hardens against cold. Plants grow slowly and are slow to recover from disturbance, so a permanent, lean, rocky spot suits them. In containers use a mineral cactus mix and water only when the soil is fully dry.Pruning
No pruning is needed for this small cactus. Remove any soft, discolored, or rotted tissue promptly with a clean blade to limit the spread of rot. Offsets can be separated to propagate clustering plants.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons