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Fishhook Barrel Cactus

Ferocactus Wislizeni

true

5 gallon

Fishhook Barrel Cactus

In stock

3'x5'

Sizes:

Fishhook Barrel Cactus – Ferocactus wislizeni
Also known as: Arizona Barrel Cactus, Compass Barrel

Native to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts, including parts of southeastern California, southern Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and northern Mexico, Fishhook Barrel Cactus is a hardy, long-lived cactus well adapted to desert environments. It is especially noted in the Colorado Desert near the Arizona border and in adjacent Mojave transition zones.

This cylindrical cactus can grow up to 10 feet tall and 3 feet wide, with prominent vertical ribs and hooked central spines that give the plant its name. These spines help shade the plant body and deter herbivores. Like many desert cacti, it stores water in its thick stem, making it exceptionally drought-tolerant and suitable for low-water gardens. It prefers full sun, excellent drainage, and infrequent irrigation.

Blooms appear from spring through late summer in vivid shades of yellow, orange, or red, and are clustered around the top of the stem. The flowers attract specialized native bees and other pollinators. Following pollination, the cactus produces fleshy, barrel-shaped fruits, which are rich in seeds and persist through fall and winter, providing important seasonal food.

Wildlife Value
Host Plant: —
Nectar Source: Verified for cactus bees (Diadasia spp.) and generalist native bees
Bird Resources: Fruit/Berries; Nectar; Seeds; Nest; Shelter
Bird Species: House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus); Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus); Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura); Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata); Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus)

Plant Care

Native region:

Sonoran Desert

Water needs:

Low

Exposure:

Full Sun; Filtered Sun

Mature size:

3'x5'

Growth rate:

Slow-Moderate

Flower color:

Yellow; Orange; Red

Flower season:

Spring; Summer; Fall

Pruning:

None

Cold Hardiness:

20 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Yes

Butterflies or Moths:

Monarchs:

Larval host:

Bees:

Yes

Bats:

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Nest materials:

Rabbit-resistant:

Yes

Tortoises:

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.