Teddy-bear cholla Cylindropuntia bigelovii
Teddy-bear cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Cactaceae family, native to Sonoran Desert (rocky slopes). It grows 1–1.6 m (3.3–5.2 ft) tall and 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -7 °C (19 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
Plan Teddy-bear cholla in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Teddy-bear cholla at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Mature height | 1–1.6 m (3.3–5.2 ft) |
| Mature spread | 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 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 -7 °C (19 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 50 °C (122 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Sonoran Desert (rocky slopes) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇲🇽 Mexico |
Is Teddy-bear cholla toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not toxic, but the barbed spines of the detaching joints are notoriously painful.
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 Teddy-bear cholla
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Teddy-bear cholla in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (5 plants)
- Desert Botanical Garden (15 plants)
Questions about Teddy-bear cholla
- How far apart should I plant Teddy-bear cholla?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft).
- Does Teddy-bear cholla need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Teddy-bear cholla need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Teddy-bear cholla?
- It tolerates about -7 °C (19 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Teddy-bear cholla flower?
- From about April for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Teddy-bear cholla 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, but the barbed spines of the detaching joints are notoriously painful.
- What grows well with Teddy-bear cholla?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Teddy-bear cholla. 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
- Plants of the national parks (Saguaro, Joshua Tree, Redwood), US National Park Service
Notes and assumptions
- Desert plant: needs sharp drainage and little summer water once established; rots in wet, heavy soil.
- Dense golden spines make it glow in backlight; joints break off and root (mostly clonal stands). Keep away from paths.
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
- Engelmann's prickly pear Opuntia engelmannii
- Organ pipe cactus Stenocereus thurberi
- Mexican giant cardón Pachycereus pringlei
- Dragon fruit (pitaya) Selenicereus undatus