PlantFiles: Spruce Cone Cholla, Pine Cone Cactus, Pinecone Cactus
Tephrocactus articulatus var. diadematus

Last fall, I put two small spruce cone cholla in a concrete planter in full sun. Used standard cactus mix from big-box store. This spring, I found 16-18 new nubs. Within a couple of months, the nubs have grown into new arms almost the size of the original arms. It's kind of fun to watch their quick progress. I have watered the plants thoroughly about once every two weeks this spring. They are about 50 percent covered by standard shade screen, given the intense Sonoran Desert sun/heat. As others mention, the arms break off easily; I anticipate this will be an advantage in keeping the plants to a reasonable size. Plants have few actual spines, so planting in pots near a pool is an option.

Easy to grow, easy to handle, but beware. They do have some very fine glochids (irritating spines/hairs), but they are not as prevalent like the ones found on many opuntia cacti. I've had mine for over 20 years. It has gone through freezing temperatures down to 15-20 degrees some years. If you bump them, segments may/will fall off. They will root where they fall or take them and insert partially into the ground. It will grow. I have had pieces sit on benches or on top of gravel for more than a year, with no soil, and it will still grow if you give it a little dirt and water. They may get pretty shriveled looking, but they still have life and the will to live given half a chance. Mine grow to about 18 inches tall with segments or branching.

This is an extremely slow growing plant. My mother was given a piece of it 15 years ago. Everytime a piece would fall off, I'd stick it in the ground and it would root, providing me with many new plantings. If you don't want a plant that sheds its pads easily, don't get this plant. The original plant bloomed for the first time this spring. The white flowers made a nice contrast to the earth-tone colors of the plant. This cactus doesn't have many thorns and grows nicely in pots.

The 'inermis' form of this species-variety is the one with no glochids. This non-inermis form does have very tiny irritating glochids that I was pulling out of my fingers.

This is one of the easiest and safest cactus I have ever grown. Cool looking pine-cone-like plant- suckers profusely and easy to grow by just knocking off one of the 'cones' and stuffing it in the ground. Likes lots of water in summer- grows a lot faster... but tolerates long, wet, sloggy, cold winters here in So Cal. No spines, too!