Light: Full sun; gradually acclimate nursery-grown plants to intense Phoenix sun to prevent sunburn.
Water: Very low water once established. During prolonged hot, dry weather, water deeply but infrequently, allowing soil to dry completely between waterings. Keep mostly dry in winter.
Soil: Very well-drained, rocky, gravelly, or sandy soil. Use a raised mound or cactus mix where drainage is poor.
Mature size: Typically 3–6 feet tall and 1–2.5 feet wide; very old specimens may reach approximately 10 feet tall.
Bloom: Spring into summer on mature plants; flowering varies with rainfall and growing conditions.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen cactus with persistent green stems and no conspicuous leaves.
Growth rate: Slow.