Pencil Cactus

 In
Pencil Cactus

Cylindropuntia leptocaulis
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis
Tasajillo, Pencil Cholla, Garambullo, Christmas Cactus
Southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico
2

4 feet
2

4 feet
  • Central Texas
  • Texas
  • Full Sun
  • Part Sun/Shade
  • Very Low
  • Evergreen
  • Flowering
  • Birds

About This Plant

Sun or light shade. Evergreen. This tough shrub cactus forms a thicket of small cylindrical stems armed with sharp spines. Yellow blooms appear in August, followed by dramatic displays of red fruit at the end of the year.

Pencil cactus is rugged but hardy, and provides a daunting, free-form native hedge barrier — a nice companion for more strongly formed plants like agave. It’s one of those much-maligned native plants that’s appreciated by wildlife, brush sculptors, native plant enthusiasts and cactus aficionados.

Maintenance

Prune as needed to control; this is a fairly messy cactus that forms thickets if left to its own devices.

Features

Plant Type:
Cactus and Succulent
Size:
2-4' H, 2-4' W
Sunlight Requirements:
Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade
Soil Types:
Clay, Sandy
Wildlife:
Birds
Flower Color:
Yellow
Bloom Time:
December
Freeze Hardy:
Yes
Invasive:
No
Caution:
None
Coupon Eligible:
No

This plant goes well with

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