Pencil Cactus
Pencil Cactus
–
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis
Tasajillo, Pencil Cholla, Garambullo, Christmas Cactus
2
–
4 feet
2
–
4 feet
Southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico
Central Texas
Texas
Full Sun
Part Sun/Shade
Very Low
Evergreen
Flowering
Birds
Previous
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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
- List Item #1
- List Item #2
- List Item #3
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