Golden barrel cactus Echinocactus grusonii
Golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Cactaceae family, native to Central Mexico (Hidalgo, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi); threatened in the wild. It grows 60–90 cm (24–35 in) tall and 60–90 cm (24–35 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 90 cm (35 in) apart.
Plan Golden barrel cactus in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Golden barrel cactus at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Mature height | 60–90 cm (24–35 in) |
| Mature spread | 60–90 cm (24–35 in) |
| Spacing | 90 cm (35 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 | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Central Mexico (Hidalgo, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi); threatened in the wild |
| Common in gardens of | 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Golden barrel cactus toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous, but the stiff spines cause painful puncture wounds to people and pets.
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 Golden barrel cactus
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Golden barrel cactus in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (60 plants)
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (10 plants)
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (6 plants)
- Desert Botanical Garden (30 plants)
- Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden (24 plants)
- Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (14 plants)
- Na ʻĀina Kai Botanical Gardens (8 plants)
- New York Botanical Garden (6 plants)
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (5 plants)
Questions about Golden barrel cactus
- How far apart should I plant Golden barrel cactus?
- About 90 cm (35 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 60–90 cm (24–35 in).
- Does Golden barrel cactus need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Golden barrel cactus need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Golden barrel cactus?
- It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Golden barrel cactus flower?
- From about June for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Golden 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 poisonous, but the stiff spines cause painful puncture wounds to people and pets.
- What grows well with Golden barrel cactus?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Golden barrel cactus. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Very slow: flowers only after about 15 to 25 years. Needs dry winters and sharp drainage; tolerates brief light frost only when dry. Buy nursery-propagated plants (wild populations are threatened).
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
- 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
- Dragon fruit (pitaya) Selenicereus undatus