Light: Full sun; gradually acclimate nursery-grown plants to intense Phoenix sun. Young plants benefit from light afternoon shade.
Water: Very low water once established. Water deeply but infrequently during warm weather, allowing soil to dry completely between waterings. Keep nearly dry in winter.
Soil: Excellent drainage is essential; sandy, gravelly soil or a coarse cactus mix is preferred. Avoid low spots and heavy, poorly drained soil.
Mature size: Typically 10–20 feet tall and 8–12 feet wide; very old specimens may grow larger.
Bloom: Mature plants bloom mainly from late spring into summer; flowers open at night and close by the following morning.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen cactus with persistent green stems; essentially leafless.
Growth rate: Slow; growth increases with warm weather and occasional supplemental water.