Fishhook barrel cactus Ferocactus wislizeni
Fishhook barrel cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Cactaceae family, native to Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts. It grows 60 cm–1.8 m (24 in–5.9 ft) tall and 45–80 cm (18–31 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -10 °C (14 °F). Space plants about 80 cm (31 in) apart.
Plan Fishhook barrel cactus in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Fishhook barrel cactus at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1.8 m (24 in–5.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 45–80 cm (18–31 in) |
| Spacing | 80 cm (31 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 8 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -10 °C (14 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 50 °C (122 °F) |
| Flowering | from about July for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: fruit, seeds |
| Native to | Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇲🇽 Mexico |
Is Fishhook barrel cactus toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not toxic; hooked spines injure.
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 Fishhook barrel cactus
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Fishhook barrel cactus in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (10 plants)
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (6 plants)
- Desert Botanical Garden (18 plants)
- Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (6 plants)
Questions about Fishhook barrel cactus
- How far apart should I plant Fishhook barrel cactus?
- About 80 cm (31 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 45–80 cm (18–31 in).
- Does Fishhook barrel cactus need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Fishhook barrel cactus need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Fishhook barrel cactus?
- It tolerates about -10 °C (14 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Fishhook barrel cactus flower?
- From about July for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Fishhook barrel 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 toxic; hooked spines injure.
- What grows well with Fishhook barrel cactus?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Fishhook barrel cactus. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Desert Botanical Garden plant collections and trails, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
Notes and assumptions
- Desert plant: needs sharp drainage and little summer water once established; rots in wet, heavy soil.
- Leans to the south-west over time ("compass barrel"); a ring of orange flowers in late summer after the monsoon.
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
- Teddy-bear cholla Cylindropuntia bigelovii
- Engelmann's prickly pear Opuntia engelmannii
- Organ pipe cactus Stenocereus thurberi
- Mexican giant cardón Pachycereus pringlei
- Dragon fruit (pitaya) Selenicereus undatus