Organ pipe cactus Stenocereus thurberi
Organ pipe cactus (Stenocereus thurberi) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Cactaceae family, native to Sonora and southern Arizona (frost-free rocky slopes). It grows 3–6 m (10–20 ft) tall and 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
Plan Organ pipe cactus in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Organ pipe cactus at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Mature height | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) 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 -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 50 °C (122 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: fruit (pitaya dulce) |
| Native to | Sonora and southern Arizona (frost-free rocky slopes) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇲🇽 Mexico |
Is Organ pipe cactus toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not toxic; 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 Organ pipe cactus
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Organ pipe cactus in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (1 plants)
- Desert Botanical Garden (1 plants)
Questions about Organ pipe cactus
- How far apart should I plant Organ pipe cactus?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft).
- Does Organ pipe cactus need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Organ pipe cactus need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Organ pipe cactus?
- It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- Is Organ pipe 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; spiny.
- What grows well with Organ pipe cactus?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Organ pipe 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).
- Plants of the national parks (Saguaro, Joshua Tree, Redwood), US National Park Service
- Desert Botanical Garden plant collections and trails, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix
Notes and assumptions
- Desert plant: needs sharp drainage and little summer water once established; rots in wet, heavy soil.
- Many columns from the base; night-blooming flowers pollinated by bats; very frost-tender.
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
- Mexican giant cardón Pachycereus pringlei
- Dragon fruit (pitaya) Selenicereus undatus