Light: Full sun to light shade; light afternoon shade is helpful in Phoenix locations exposed to intense reflected heat. Acclimate nursery-grown plants gradually to direct sun.
Water: Very low water once established. Water deeply but infrequently during prolonged warm-season drought, allowing soil to dry completely between waterings. Keep mostly dry in winter and skip irrigation after substantial rain.
Soil: Excellent drainage is essential; use rocky, gravelly, or sandy soil. Plant on a raised mound where soil is heavy, and use a gritty cactus mix in containers.
Mature size: Typically 1–2 feet tall and 2–3 feet wide, forming larger clumps with age.
Bloom: Blooms annually in spring, generally March–May in Phoenix; timing varies with weather and moisture.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen succulent with persistent green stems rather than foliage.
Growth rate: Slow.