Compass Barrel
Ferocactus cylindraceus
A rugged native barrel cactus that famously tilts toward the south, crowned with yellow-orange summer blooms.
Cold hardy into the teens °F, USDA 9-11; native across low and mid-elevation Sonoran and Mojave desert.
AMWUA Notes
Native barrel cactus that stores water and needs no supplemental irrigation.
Care Guide
Established plants need no irrigation; water a new transplant monthly its first summer only, keeping it dry thereafter to prevent rot.
None; remove only rotted or scarred tissue.
Not needed.
Mealybugs occasionally; keep the base dry to prevent rot.
Fully hardy and heat-adapted; the plant leans south, so preserve its original orientation when transplanting to avoid sunscald.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Decomposed granite or rocky mineral soil; sharp-draining and lean
Needs sharp, fast-draining soil.
None — thrives in lean desert soil without fertilizer.
Seed (offsets are rare)
2-3 ft
Shallow, non-invasive roots; keep the stout red spines off walkways
Placement Tips
- •Site as a rugged specimen or in groups among boulders.
- •Keep the stout red spines off walkways.
- •Plant in decomposed granite with sharp drainage.
- •Maintain the original sun orientation to protect the shaded side.
Features
Best Uses
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Compass Barrel. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.