Skip to content

Golden Barrel Cactus

Echinocactus Grusonii

Design with this plant

Overview

The Golden Barrel Cactus, Echinocactus grusonii, is a spherical plant featuring prominent ribs with dense clusters of yellow spines, maturing to a striking golden hue. Typically reaching 2-3 feet in diameter, this slow-growing desert native is drought-tolerant and prefers full sun. Its vivid yellow flowers atop the crown offer a vibrant display. Ideal for xeriscaping, it provides dramatic texture and year-round interest in warm, arid climates. Hardy to USDA zone 9.

Sun Full, HalfWater Very LowZones 8–10Climate Arid
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii) — Ideal for xeriscaping, it provides dramatic texture and year-round interest in warm, arid climates

Culture

Sun
Full, Half
Water
Very Low
USDA zones
8–10

Shape & size

Classification

Family
Cactaceae
Climate
Arid

See full data, regional cultivation notes, full-resolution photos, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (161)

Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii) — These spines emerge yellow, maturing to a pale whitish hue; requiring minimal maintenance once, image 91
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii) — watering should be reduced significantly to mirror its native dormant season.<br><br>For the, image 96
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii) — the Golden Barrel Cactus showcases a ring of showy yellow flowers at its crown; is a spherical plant, image 92
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii) — although flowering is rare for specimens grown indoors; as an iconic symbol of arid landscapes, image 93
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii) — Ideal for xeriscaping, it provides dramatic texture and year-round interest in warm, arid climates, image 106
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii) — presents a striking spherical form that eventually elongates slightly with age; ideal for, image 107
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii) — As an iconic symbol of arid landscapes; although flowering is rare for specimens grown indoors, image 108
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii) — although this may take several decades; cactus for full or half, image 109
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii) — is a spherical plant featuring prominent ribs with dense clusters of yellow spines; this, image 101
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii) — maturing to a striking golden hue; these spines emerge yellow, maturing to a pale whitish hue, image 102
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii) — Typically reaching 2-3 feet in diameter; consideration should be given to its mature size and spiny, image 103
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii) — this slow-growing desert native is drought-tolerant and prefers full sun; its vivid yellow flowers, image 104
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii) — Its vivid yellow flowers atop the crown offer a vibrant display; the Golden Barrel Cactus showcases, image 105
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii) — sharp spines that protect it from herbivores; presents a striking spherical form that eventually, image 110
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii) — These spines emerge yellow, maturing to a pale whitish hue; requiring minimal maintenance once, image 111
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii) — When incorporated into garden designs; watering should be reduced significantly to mirror its native, image 117
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii) — ensuring it is placed where it will not pose a risk to passersby; sharp spines that protect it from, image 119
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii) — cactus for full or half; when incorporated into garden designs, image 120
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii) — is a spherical plant featuring prominent ribs with dense clusters of yellow spines; this, image 121
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii) — watering should be reduced significantly to mirror its native dormant season.<br><br>For the, image 116
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii) — consideration should be given to its mature size and spiny texture; typically reaching 2-3 feet in, image 118
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii) — requiring minimal maintenance once established; with infrequent but deep watering throughout the, image 114
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii) — although flowering is rare for specimens grown indoors; as an iconic symbol of arid landscapes, image 113
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus Grusonii) — with infrequent but deep watering throughout the warmer months; maturing to a striking golden hue, image 115

Related plants

Red Torch Cactus (Echinopsis Huascha) — commonly known as Red Torch Cactus

Red Torch Cactus

Echinopsis Huascha

Full · Zones 9–11

Engelmann's Prickly Pear (Opuntia Engelmannii) — Engelmann's Prickly Pear (Opuntia engelmannii) is a resilient cactus, ideal for arid landscapes

Engelmann's Prickly Pear

Opuntia Engelmannii

Full · Zones 9–10

Saguaro (Carnegiea Gigantea) — The Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) is an iconic cactus native to the Sonoran Desert

Saguaro

Carnegiea Gigantea

Full · Zones 10–10

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — The Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia phaeacantha)

Sprawling Prickly Pear

Opuntia Phaeacantha

Full · Zones 9–11

Giant Prickly Pear (Opuntia Robusta) — or Silver Dollar Giant Prickly Pear Cactus

Giant Prickly Pear

Opuntia Robusta

Full · Zones 10–11

Mexican Fencepost (Pachycereus Marginatus) — is an eye-catching columnar cactus

Mexican Fencepost

Pachycereus Marginatus

Full · Zones 9–10