Description:

This cactus variety forms candelabra like stands up to twenty feet tall, and over time create an impressive clump; very slow growing; white flowers are nocturnal; excellent for xeriscaping, and water conservation gardens

Ornamental Features

Huanuco Cactus is a member of the cactus family, which are grown primarily for their characteristic shapes, their interesting features and textures, and their high tolerance for hot, dry growing environments. Like all cacti, it doesn't actually have leaves, but rather modified succulent stems that comprise the bulk of the plant, and which are designed to hold water for long periods of time. This particular cactus is valued for its columnar habit of growth consisting of a cluster of spiny ribbed bluish-green stem segments held tightly together. This plant features subtle white flowers with lemon yellow eyes along the branches from mid spring to mid fall.

Landscape Attributes

Huanuco Cactus is a large succulent evergreen plant with a columnar habit of growth. As a type of cactus, it has no true foliage; the body of the plant is wholly comprised of a tight cluster of spiny bluish-green stems which are prominently ribbed. With age, this plant will eventually develop a woody gray 'trunk' at its base.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should never be pruned except to remove any dieback, as it tends not to take pruning well. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Spiny

Huanuco Cactus is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Vertical Accent
• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Huanuco Cactus will grow to be about 18 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet. It is often either grown as a solitary specimen or permitted to grow into a broader colony as part of a garden composition. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live to a ripe old age of 100 years or more; think of this as a heritage shrub for future generations!

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. Like most succulents and cacti, this plant prefers to grow in poor soils and should therefore never be fertilized. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division.

Huanuco Cactus is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Its large size and upright habit of growth lend it for use as a solitary accent, or in a composition surrounded by smaller plants around the base and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.