Alphabetical Plant Listing

Cylindropuntia echinocarpa (Silver Cholla)

Golden Cholla, Silver Cholla, Wiggins' Cholla, Opuntia echinocarpa, Opuntia wigginsii


A spectacular cactus of the Southwestern United States, Cylindropuntia echinocarpa (Silver Cholla) can be a low, densely branched bush to a large, tree-like cactus with a short, thick trunk. It is usually found in cultivation in two color variations. The stems are either densely covered with white (Silver Cholla) or yellow to tan (Golden Cholla) spines, up to 1 in. long (2.5 cm). The formidable spines are arranged neatly on the stems, making both forms highly decorative. In spring and summer, greenish-yellow flowers, up to 1 in. across (2.5 cm), sometimes suffused bronze or rose, are produced. They are followed by lumpy, spiny, greenish brown fruits with white seeds and a foul scent, reminiscent of rancid butter. A common plant in much of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts, this Cholla provides important nesting sites for birds. Silver or Golden Cholla is a very attractive plant and will remain as such year-round. It is a spectacular addition to the desert or cacti garden where its sculptural shape adds a wonderful contrast to the rest of the garden.

  • Grows up to 6-10 ft. tall (180-300 cm).
  • Easily grown in well-drained soils in full sun. Very little supplemental water to establish and none once established. Drought tolerant.
  • Great for desert gardens, rock gardens, succulent gardens or Mediterranean gardens.
  • Virtually pest and disease free. Deer resistant.
  • Native to the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico.

Not sure which Opuntia to pick?
Compare All Opuntia

Buy Cylindropuntia echinocarpa (Silver Cholla)

Requirements

Hardiness 9 – 11
Climate Zones 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Cactus - Succulents
Plant Family Opuntia
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 6' – 10' (180cm – 3m)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, California, Rocky Mountains, Utah, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden

Buy Plants

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Opuntia

Guides with Opuntia


Wildnerdpix, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 9 – 11
Climate Zones 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Cactus - Succulents
Plant Family Opuntia
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 6' – 10' (180cm – 3m)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, California, Rocky Mountains, Utah, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Opuntia

Guides with Opuntia

Plant Calculator

How many Cylindropuntia echinocarpa (Silver Cholla) do I need for my garden?

%
ft
ft

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Cylindropuntia echinocarpa (Silver Cholla)

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.