Horse Crippler, Devil's Head, Candy Cactus, Devil's Pincushion, Manacaballo, Monco Caballo, Viznaga

Echinocactustexensis

Family
Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)
Genus
Echinocactus (ek-in-oh-KAK-tus)
Species
texensis (teck-SEN-sis)
Synonym
Homalocephala texensis
Echinocactus lindheimeri
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Foliage
Evergreen
Textured
Height
under 6 in. (15 cm)
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
Spacing
6-9 in. (15-22 cm)
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
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
Pale Pink
Pink
Rose/Mauve
Red
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Other Details
Category
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
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 seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds
Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds
Regional

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

Benson, Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

Bostonia, California

Mountain View Acres, California

, Jizan

Choudrant, Louisiana

Detroit, Michigan

Albuquerque, New Mexico

La Luz, New Mexico

Presto, Pennsylvania

Grenoble, Rhône-Alpes

Anna, Texas

Brownsville, Texas

Canyon Lake, Texas

Colorado City, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas

Kermit, Texas

Lipan, Texas

Lometa, Texas

Lubbock, Texas

Medina, Texas

Mico, Texas

Portland, Texas

San Antonio, Texas(3 reports)

Santa Anna, Texas

Santo, Texas

Saint George, Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

show all

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Gardener's Notes:

5
positives
0
neutral
1
negative
Sort By:
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U
Salt Lake City, UT (Zone 7b) | July 2022 | positive

I’ve been growing Echinocactus texensis in Salt Lake City, Utah (zone 7b) for many years. I have a few large specimens, and they have m...Read More

F
Grafton, WI | May 2014 | positive

Beautiful cactus. I love the big, curved spines. They're reddish when they're new, but turn dull grey over the winter.

I b...Read More

B
Colorado City, TX | December 2012 | negative

Dang thing grows everywhere, I'm tired of digging it up so it won't hurt the livestock.It hurts bigtime to step on too.

R
Presto, PA | June 2010 | positive

I have this cacti and it is called Homocephala texensis. It made it thru our first winter here in the 'burbs of Pittsburgh, PA USDA zone ...Read More

A
A
Detroit, MI | March 2010 | positive

I live in Detroit,MI (USDA z6a). This plant has survived its first winter here. Although this winter has been a slight bit milder than us...Read More

X
Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9b) | June 2004 | positive

Flowers range from white thru light-pink to pink, with red throats. Another popular name for this plant is "Candy Cactus".

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