Barbed-wire Cactus

Cereus tetragonus | Also known as: Acanthocereus tetragonus | Rating: 0 votes | Print / Pdf

Barbed-wire Cactus. Surrounding desert prisons for years to come.

Arguably, the most common cactus to have on your office desk, never mind at home, Cereus tetragonus is a dwarf and rather tender perennial, usually potted and grown under glass. Its distinctive three or five-sided stem is mid-green in colour with fine, brown spines growing from small white, hairy tufts along its edges, thus earning it its common name, the Barbed-wire Cactus. Numerous smaller stems appear over time, while the nocturnal yellow or pink blossoms are rarely seen. Though suited to pots and containers, it grows happily in gravel beds and rockeries. Water regularly when growing, but keep dry in winter and apply low-nitrogen fertilizer for extra nourishment.

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Plant
Known dangers?
  • no
Height [m]
  • 0.6 - 0.9
Spread [m]
  • 0.3 - 0.4
Dominant flower colour
  • White
Flower Fragrance
  • No, neutral please
Flowering seasons
  • Early summer
  • Mid summer
  • Late summer
  • Early autumn
Foliage in spring
  • Green
Foliage in summer
  • Green
Foliage in Autumn
  • Green
Foliage in winter
  • Green
Propagation methods
  • seed
  • root cuttings
Growth habit
  • Erect
Environment
Acidity
  • Acidic
  • Neutral
  • Alkaline
Hardiness zone
  • Z10-11
Heat zone
  • unknown
Winter temperatures [°C]
  • -1 - 4
Heat days
  • 0
Moisture
  • well-drained
Soil type
  • sandy
  • loams
Sun requirements
  • Full sun
Exposure
  • Sheltered
Usage
Standard category
  • Cacti & succulents
  • Cacti
Grown for
  • Attractive flowers and foliage
Creative category
  • Kid Approved
  • For Beginners
  • Colours
Garden type
  • Indoor or winter garden
  • Containers
Gardening expertise
  • beginner
Time to reach full size
  • up to 20 years
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