Arizona Rainbow Hedgehog Cactus, Cabeza de Viejo

Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 23° F (-5°C)

Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade

Origin: USA (southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico), Mexico (northern Sonora, northwestern Chihuahua)

Growth Habits: Solitary, up to 8 inches tall (20 cm), 1.6 to 4 inches wide (4-10 cm), 16-22 ribs; no central spines; 16 to 22 stiff pectinate radials, grey to reddish brown, close to the stem, 0.6 inch long (15 mm)

Watering Needs: Rot easily, needs good drainage to avoid rotting

Propagation: Seeds

Mature plants with a good light will generally have red to deep pink spines.

Blooming Habits:
Intense pink flowers with much lighter throat, 2.4 to 2.8 inches long (6-7 cm), up to 3.6 inches in diameter (9 cm). It blooms in May. The globose fruits are very spiny, 1.2 inches in diameter. The seeds are black and tuberculate, 1.5 mm diameter.

Fruiting Habits:
Occasional large (2.5 inches/7 cm), pink flowers with a white throat, in early summer.