teddybear cholla
Cylindropuntia bigelovii
USDA zones9 to 11
SunNeeds full sun (6+ hours)
WaterNeeds dry soil
Size3 to 8 feet tall3 to 8 feet wide
- Habit
- Cactus/succulent
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn, winter
- Bloom color
- White , yellow , green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Notes
Teddybear cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii) is a succulent for borders, xeriscapes, and low maintenance gardens. 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. Pale golden spines cover the upper branches, so they look soft but cling painfully. Keep it away from paths and play areas. Deer and rabbits tend to pass it by.
Pairs well with Creosote bush, Brittlebush, and Desert mallow.
Native range
AZ, CA, and NV.