Austrocylindropuntia subulata
Light: Full sun to light shade; afternoon shade is beneficial in Phoenix’s hottest exposures. Acclimate gradually to direct desert sun.
Water: Low water once established; water deeply, then allow soil to dry thoroughly. Provide occasional supplemental summer irrigation during prolonged dry heat; keep nearly dry in winter.
Soil: Excellent drainage is essential; use gritty, mineral-rich cactus soil. Plant above grade or on a mound where native soil drains poorly.
Mature size: Typically 10–15 feet tall and 6–10 feet wide in the landscape; potentially taller in favorable conditions. Smaller in containers.
Bloom: Mature plants may bloom in late spring through summer; flowering is uncommon in containers and can be irregular in cultivation.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen stems; fleshy leaves may drop with age, drought, or cold.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast with warmth and occasional irrigation; slower under very dry conditions.