Barrel Cactus is a perennial grown for its orange blooms, which open in late spring and return year after year. It's hardy across USDA zones 5 through 11, shrugs off deer and shrugs off dry spells. Its late spring flowers are a moderate draw for honeybees and native bees.
Zones
5-11
pH Range
7-8.5
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
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Score Barrel Cactus on your exact land.
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What Barrel Cactus is
Barrel Cactus grows as a perennial and reaches around five feet at maturity. It blooms orange in late spring. It's also deer-resistant.
How to grow Barrel Cactus
Barrel Cactus grows in USDA zones 5 through 11. Barrel Cactus does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 7 to 8.5, on fast-draining ground. It needs a growing season of at least 160 frost-free days, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
5-11
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
7 - 8.5
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
excessive (dry/moderately dry)
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost Tolerance
-23°F
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
5 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
160+
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant barrel cactus in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Barrel Cactus prefers pH 7 to 8.5 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. Match watering to the plant's drainage preference and your local rainfall.
Harvest at its peak
Cut barrel cactus blooms in the cool of the morning, just as they open, for the longest display.
Good to know
Good news for pet owners — barrel cactus isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)
Barrel Cactus offers moderate value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Barrel Cactus thrives
Barrel Cactus is hardy across USDA zones 5 through 11. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zones 5–11·Where Barrel Cactus growsOpen map →
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Barrel Cactus can grow in these states:
See if Barrel Cactus will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether barrel cactus actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Barrel Cactus in my zone?
Barrel Cactus grows in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 11 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
When should you plant Barrel Cactus?
Most growers plant barrel cactus after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed, leaving enough of the season for its 160-day frost-free need. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Barrel Cactus need?
Barrel Cactus needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Barrel Cactus need?
Barrel Cactus prefers soil pH 7 to 8.5, on fast-draining ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Barrel Cactus attract pollinators?
Yes — barrel cactus's flowers are a solid nectar source for honeybees and native bees (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Barrel Cactus safe for pets?
Barrel Cactus is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data (ASPCA). Always supervise pets around new plantings.