Pereskia Species, Barbados Gooseberry, Blade-Apple Cactus, Lemonvine, Rose Cactus

Pereskiaaculeata

Family
Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)
Genus
Pereskia (per-ESS-kee-uh)
Species
aculeata (ah-kew-lee-AY-tuh)
Synonym
Cactus pereskia
Perescia aculeata var. godseffiana
Pereskia pereskia
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Height
30-40 ft. (9-12 m)
Spacing
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color
Red-Orange
Pale Yellow
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Late Fall/Early Winter
Other Details
Category
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size
Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From woody stem cuttings
Seed Collecting
Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Chandler Heights, Arizona

Mesa, Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona

Canoga Park, California

Garden Grove, California

Hayward, California

Los Angeles, California

Pittsburg, California

San Marino, California

Brooksville, Florida

Delray Beach, Florida

Loxahatchee, Florida

Pompano Beach, Florida

Sarasota, Florida

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Worcester, Massachusetts

Walnut Grove, Missouri

Hulbert, Oklahoma

Peggs, Oklahoma

San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Gardener's Notes:

5
positives
3
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
G
Hulbert, OK | November 2013 | positive

I have been growing Pereskia aculeata since the late 90's. My botany professor acquired this "weed" during his travels and gave it to me...Read More

S
Louisville, KY (Zone 6b) | April 2008 | positive

Believed to be the ancestral plant of all other cacti.

B
Lake Charles, LA (Zone 9b) | October 2006 | positive

I've heard this plant called both Mexican Lemon Cactus and Barbados Shrub. But whatever it is called it's a beautiful plant; easy to grow...Read More

X
Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9b) | September 2006 | neutral

Another synonym of this plant is Cactus pereskia.

More common names are "Tsunya, Bugambilia Blanca, Camelia Blanca, Grosel...Read More

D
D
(Zone 11) | June 2005 | positive

Pereskia aculeata grows well from seed collected from ripe fruits. It can be kept in shrub form, but left to it's own devices it will vin...Read More

C
Henderson, NV (Zone 9b) | February 2005 | neutral

Being a tropical cactus, it has a difficult time here in the desert, although mine is still alive after five years. It doesn't like the ...Read More

N
| August 2004 | positive

P. aculenta is not a vine, it is actually a wax rose, which is
the same family but a different plant: Perescia bleo.

...Read More

M
(Zone 11) | November 2003 | neutral

This is an uncommon cactus, a climber with real, fleshy leaves. The spines are present though (not like P. grandiflora, where ther...Read More

Featured
Large Tolype moth
(Tolype velleda)
Common Gallinule
(Gallinula galeata)
Featured
Large Tolype moth
(Tolype velleda)
Common Gallinule
(Gallinula galeata)