Create Your Garden

Ferocactus glaucescens (Blue Barrel Cactus)

Blue Barrel Cactus, Glaucous Barrel Cactus, Bisnaga glaucescens, Echinocactus glaucescens, Echinocactus pfeifferi, Ferocactus pfeifferi

AGM Award
Ferocactus glaucescens, Blue Barrel Cactus, Glaucous Barrel Cactus, Bisnaga glaucescens, Echinocactus glaucescens, Echinocactus pfeifferi, Ferocactus pfeifferi
Ferocactus glaucescens, Blue Barrel Cactus, Glaucous Barrel Cactus, Bisnaga glaucescens, Echinocactus glaucescens, Echinocactus pfeifferi, Ferocactus pfeifferi
Ferocactus glaucescens, Blue Barrel Cactus, Glaucous Barrel Cactus, Bisnaga glaucescens, Echinocactus glaucescens, Echinocactus pfeifferi, Ferocactus pfeifferi

Ferocactus glaucescens (Blue Barrel Cactus) is a globose to cylindrical bluish-green cactus with 11-15 prominent ribs adorned with areoles sprouting long, pale yellow spines, up to 1.5 in. (4 cm). Bright lemon yellow, funnel-shaped flowers, 2 in. wide (5 cm) are produced in late spring to summer. They last a very long time and form a discreet ring at the top of the plant. They are followed by white fruits with the remnants of the flowers attached. Often solitary, this cylindrical cactus is sometimes basally branched, forming an attractive mound. Terrific at adding texture, color and shape to the landscape, this eye-catching and majestic plant looks spectacular in any desert garden settings. More humidity tolerant than most barrel cacti.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Slowly grows up to 2 ft. tall and wide (60 cm).
  • Easily grown in well-drained soils in full sun or light shade if the site is extremely hot or bright. Water moderately when in growth. Make sure you let the soil dry out between waterings. No water should ever be allowed to stand around the roots. Do not wet the body of this plant while in sunlight to avoid sun burning, fungal infections or death. Keep the plant dry in winter. Feed with a balanced liquid feed. Drought tolerant.
  • Great for desert gardens, rock gardens, succulent gardens or Mediterranean gardens. Great in decorative containers too.
  • Deer resistant. The flowers produce nectar and are attractive to birds and bees
  • Propagate by seed in early spring.
  • Virtually disease free. Keep an eye out for mealybug.
  • Native to Mexico

Requirements

Hardiness 9 - 11
Climate Zones 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Cactus & Succulents
Plant Family Cactaceae
Genus Echinocactus, Ferocactus
Common names Cactus, Barrel Cactus
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 30" (80cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Echinocactus (Barrel Cactus) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Astrophytum ornatum (Star Cactus)
Ferocactus latispinus (Devil’s Tongue Cactus)
Echinocactus texensis (Horse Crippler Cactus)
Echinocactus horizonthalonius (Turk’s Head Cactus)
Ferocactus cylindraceus (California Barrel Cactus)
Parodia scopa (Silver Ball Cactus)
View All Our Echinocactus

Recommended Companion Plants

Senecio mandraliscae (Blue Chalksticks)
Agave
Aloe
Aeonium

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Barrel Cactus: An Iconic Desert Plant for Water-Wise Gardens
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.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 9 - 11
Climate Zones 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Cactus & Succulents
Plant Family Cactaceae
Genus Echinocactus, Ferocactus
Common names Cactus, Barrel Cactus
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 30" (80cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Echinocactus (Barrel Cactus) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Ferocactus glaucescens (Blue Barrel Cactus) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Ferocactus glaucescens (Blue Barrel Cactus) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    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!

    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!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone