devil's tongue cactus
Ferocactus latispinus
RHS AGM 2012
USDA zones9 to 11
SunNeeds full sun (6+ hours)
WaterNeeds dry soil
Size24 inches tall12 to 24 inches wide
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn, winter
- Soil types
- Sand, loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Devil's tongue cactus (Ferocactus latispinus) is a succulent for borders and containers, and it needs little care. It grows outdoors year-round in USDA zone 9 and warmer, down to about 20°F (-7°C). In colder areas, grow it as a houseplant or bring it indoors for winter. This plant likes full sun and dry, sandy or loamy soil. It stays evergreen and tolerates drought. Deer and rabbits rarely make it their first choice. Butterflies, bees, and birds visit it.
Pairs well with Desert spoon, Coppertone stonecrop, and Purple sage.
Native range
North America.