Botanical Name:Pachycereus pringlei
Common Names: Cardón Cactus, Giant Cardon
Pachycereus pringlei is the largest cactus species in the world by mass and one of the most iconic plants of the Sonoran Desert. Native to Baja California, Sonora, and parts of northwestern Mexico, this massive columnar cactus forms thick, upright trunks with multiple upward-curving arms over time. Its blue-green, ribbed stems and imposing size make it a dramatic focal point in desert landscapes. In habitat, mature specimens can reach 40–60 feet tall and 20–30 feet wide, while container-grown plants grow very slowly and remain much smaller for many years. SHIPPED AS A YOUNG BARE ROOT SPECIMEN, 4-8 INCHES TALL.
Care and Cultivation:
Prefers full sun
Water sparingly; extremely drought-tolerant once established
Use very fast-draining cactus or sandy soil
Ideal growing temperature range: 70–100°F (21–38°C)
Best suited for in-ground planting in warm, arid climates
Slow-growing but exceptionally long-lived
Frost Tolerance and Cold Hardiness:
Best suited for USDA Zones 9b–11
Cold hardy to about 28°F (-2°C) for brief periods
Protect from prolonged freezes, especially when young
Sensitive to excess winter moisture
Winter Dormancy and Health:
Growth slows significantly in cooler months
Reduce watering to near zero in winter
Keep soil dry to prevent cold-related damage
Notes:
World’s largest cactus by mass
Produces large, creamy white flowers on mature plants
Flowers open at night and attract bats and pollinators
Iconic specimen plant for desert and botanical gardens
Images 1 & 2 by Wikimedia Commons user Stephen Marlett, image 5 by Wikimedia Commons user Amante Darmanin, image 6 by Wikimedia Commons user Eagletusk
Botanical Name:Pachycereus pringlei
Common Names: Cardón Cactus, Giant Cardon
Pachycereus pringlei is the largest cactus species in the world by mass and one of the most iconic plants of the Sonoran Desert. Native to Baja California, Sonora, and parts of northwestern Mexico, this massive columnar cactus forms thick, upright trunks with multiple upward-curving arms over time. Its blue-green, ribbed stems and imposing size make it a dramatic focal point in desert landscapes. In habitat, mature specimens can reach 40–60 feet tall and 20–30 feet wide, while container-grown plants grow very slowly and remain much smaller for many years. SHIPPED AS A YOUNG BARE ROOT SPECIMEN, 4-8 INCHES TALL.
Care and Cultivation:
Prefers full sun
Water sparingly; extremely drought-tolerant once established
Use very fast-draining cactus or sandy soil
Ideal growing temperature range: 70–100°F (21–38°C)
Best suited for in-ground planting in warm, arid climates
Slow-growing but exceptionally long-lived
Frost Tolerance and Cold Hardiness:
Best suited for USDA Zones 9b–11
Cold hardy to about 28°F (-2°C) for brief periods
Protect from prolonged freezes, especially when young
Sensitive to excess winter moisture
Winter Dormancy and Health:
Growth slows significantly in cooler months
Reduce watering to near zero in winter
Keep soil dry to prevent cold-related damage
Notes:
World’s largest cactus by mass
Produces large, creamy white flowers on mature plants
Flowers open at night and attract bats and pollinators
Iconic specimen plant for desert and botanical gardens
Images 1 & 2 by Wikimedia Commons user Stephen Marlett, image 5 by Wikimedia Commons user Amante Darmanin, image 6 by Wikimedia Commons user Eagletusk
