Claret cup cactus (kingcup cactus) Echinocereus triglochidiatus
Claret cup cactus (kingcup cactus) (Echinocereus triglochidiatus) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Cactaceae family, native to South-western United States (Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas) and northern Mexico. It grows 10–30 cm (4–12 in) tall and 30 cm–1 m (12 in–3.3 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -28 °C (-18 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
Plan Claret cup cactus (kingcup cactus) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Claret cup cactus (kingcup cactus) at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Mature height | 10–30 cm (4–12 in) |
| Mature spread | 30 cm–1 m (12 in–3.3 ft) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) 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 -28 °C (-18 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: ripe fruit (raw) |
| Native to | South-western United States (Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas) and northern Mexico |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany |
Is Claret cup cactus (kingcup cactus) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; spiny.
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 Claret cup cactus (kingcup cactus)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Claret cup cactus (kingcup cactus)
- How far apart should I plant Claret cup cactus (kingcup cactus)?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30 cm–1 m (12 in–3.3 ft).
- Does Claret cup cactus (kingcup cactus) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Claret cup cactus (kingcup cactus) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Claret cup cactus (kingcup cactus)?
- It tolerates about -28 °C (-18 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
- When does Claret cup cactus (kingcup cactus) flower?
- From about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Claret cup cactus (kingcup cactus) 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; spiny.
- What grows well with Claret cup cactus (kingcup cactus)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Claret cup cactus (kingcup cactus). 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
- Native Plant Information Network, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, University of Texas at Austin
- LLIFLE Encyclopedia of Cacti and Succulents, LLIFLE (Living Encyclopedia), Italy
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.
- Mounds of short, spiny stems crowned in spring with waxy, scarlet cup flowers that stay open for days and are pollinated by hummingbirds. One of the hardiest cacti, grown outdoors in cold, dry continental gardens.
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