Blue candle cactus (bilberry cactus, garambullo) Myrtillocactus geometrizans
Blue candle cactus (bilberry cactus, garambullo) (Myrtillocactus geometrizans) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Cactaceae family, native to Central and northern Mexico. It grows 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) tall and 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -3 °C (27 °F). Space plants about 2 m (6.6 ft) apart.
Plan Blue candle cactus (bilberry cactus, garambullo) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Blue candle cactus (bilberry cactus, garambullo) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Mature height | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 2 m (6.6 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -3 °C (27 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | about 313–521 weeks after planting, for 4–7 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: fruit (garambullos: raw, dried, in sorbets) |
| Native to | Central and northern Mexico |
| Common in gardens of | 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is Blue candle cactus (bilberry cactus, garambullo) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; short spines.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Blue candle cactus (bilberry cactus, garambullo)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Blue candle cactus (bilberry cactus, garambullo)
- How far apart should I plant Blue candle cactus (bilberry cactus, garambullo)?
- About 2 m (6.6 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft).
- Does Blue candle cactus (bilberry cactus, garambullo) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Blue candle cactus (bilberry cactus, garambullo) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Blue candle cactus (bilberry cactus, garambullo)?
- It tolerates about -3 °C (27 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Blue candle cactus (bilberry cactus, garambullo) flower?
- About 313–521 weeks after planting, for 4–7 weeks.
- Is Blue candle cactus (bilberry cactus, garambullo) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous; short spines.
- What grows well with Blue candle cactus (bilberry cactus, garambullo)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Blue candle cactus (bilberry cactus, garambullo). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- LLIFLE Encyclopedia of Cacti and Succulents, LLIFLE (Living Encyclopedia), Italy
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
Notes and assumptions
- A plant of dry, sunny places: grow it in gritty, free-draining soil and water deeply but rarely; cold and wet together kill it faster than frost or drought.
- A candelabra of bluish, five-ribbed stems with short black spines, small cream flowers and purple berries that taste like blueberries, sold in Mexican markets. Young plants are widely used as rootstock for grafted cacti.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Prickly pear (nopal) Opuntia ficus-indica
- Golden barrel cactus Echinocactus grusonii
- Saguaro Carnegiea gigantea
- Fishhook barrel cactus Ferocactus wislizeni
- Teddy-bear cholla Cylindropuntia bigelovii
- Engelmann's prickly pear Opuntia engelmannii
- Organ pipe cactus Stenocereus thurberi
- Mexican giant cardón Pachycereus pringlei