Light: Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal in Phoenix; tolerates more sun when gradually acclimated, but reflected summer heat can scorch foliage.
Water: Low water once established; water deeply, then let soil dry between waterings. Containers need more frequent checks during summer. Reduce watering substantially in winter.
Soil: Very well-drained sandy or gravelly soil; use cactus/succulent mix in containers and avoid heavy, water-retentive soil.
Mature size: Typically 6–10 feet tall and 3–6 feet wide in favorable, frost-protected conditions; column-trained plants can be maintained narrower with pruning.
Bloom: Blooms infrequently in cultivation; established plants may flower from late spring through summer.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen; may shed leaves under cold, drought, or other stress.
Growth rate: Moderate in warm weather with appropriate watering; slower under dry conditions or in containers.