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full sun (6 or more hours of sun hitting the leaves per day. South-facing window, no obstructions. Under grow lights, keep them 4-8 inches away for 12-14 hours) is essential. Place within one foot of a south- or west-facing window. Outdoors, full sun (6 or more hours of sun hitting the leaves per day. South-facing window, no obstructions. Under grow lights, keep them 4-8 inches away for 12-14 hours) all day is ideal.Light
Water moderately during the growing season (spring through fall), allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. In winter, withhold water almost entirely while the plant is dormant.Water
Prefers dry air. Low humidity is ideal; this is a true desert plant.Humidity
Remarkably cold-hardy for a cactus, tolerating down to -10°F (-23°C) when kept dry. Hardy in USDA Zones 5-10.Temperature
easyDifficulty
Echinocereus reichenbachii plant

Lace Cactus

Echinocereus reichenbachii

Easy

Echinocereus reichenbachii is a small, cylindrical cactus covered so densely in pale, comb-like spines that the green stem beneath is almost invisible, giving the plant its lacy, fine-textured appearance. You can grow this one happily in a sunny windowsill pot for years, and then one spring it will absolutely stun you by producing enormous magenta to rose-pink flowers that can be nearly as wide as the cactus itself. It is one of the more cold-hardy cacti you can grow, tolerating temperatures well below freezing as long as the soil stays dry.

Echinocereus reichenbachii plant
Dornenwolf from Deutschland, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Echinocereus reichenbachii plant
Dornenwolf from Deutschland, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Care Guide

How to grow Lace Cactus

Light

full sun (6 or more

Water

Water moderately during the growing

Humidity

Prefers dry air.

Temperature

Remarkably cold-hardy for a cactus,

Soil

Fast-draining, gritty soil is a must.

Propagation

Most commonly grown from seed.

Common Problems

Mealybugs and scale insects can be an issue.

Did You Know

Fun Facts

Echinocereus reichenbachii is the official state wildflower of Oklahoma, where a subspecies with especially long, bristle-like spines (subsp. baileyi) grows in the southwestern part of the state.

Pet Safety

Pet safe

Non-toxic to humans and pets, though the dense, sharp spines can cause painful physical injury. Handle with folded newspaper or heavy gloves.

Sources

  1. Echinocereus reichenbachii | RHS (opens in new tab)Botanical Garden
  2. Echinocereus reichenbachii | RHS (opens in new tab)Botanical Garden
  3. Echinocereus reichenbachii - Wikipedia (opens in new tab)Reference
  4. Echinocereus reichenbachii - Wikipedia (opens in new tab)Reference
  5. Lace Cactus Care Guide - Gardenia.net (opens in new tab)Reference
  6. Lace Cactus Care Guide - Gardenia.net (opens in new tab)Reference
  7. Echinocereus reichenbachii - Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (opens in new tab)University Extension
  8. Echinocereus reichenbachii - Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (opens in new tab)University Extension
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