The hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus engelmannii, a genus of ribbed, usually small and medium-sized cylindrical cacti) can be found in the southern US and Mexico in very sunny and rocky places.
The name of these cacti represents the spiny and edible fruit in many species. They’re often soft-bodied, many-stemmed, and cylindrical. The spine-bearing tubercles come together and create ribs.
They also have large flowers with green stigma lobes. And, they’re usually red and yellow in color. In this article, we’ll share a few interesting hedgehog cactus facts, so let’s begin!
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Hedgehog Cactus Facts
The hedgehog cactus is a low-growing and unique succulent with spiny stems. Also known as Engelmann’s hedgehog cactus, named after George Engelmann, a botanist and physician, this plant provides beautiful blooms in the spring.
Some other common names are Saints Cactus, Strawberry Cactus, Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus, and Purple Torch.
Now, let’s learn more about this popular, good-looking cactus!
Appearance
This plant naturally grows in clumps of 3-60 stems per clump. Each green stem goes up to 12 inches high, and as more and more stems develop, the clump can become 3 feet wide.
They’re cylindrical stems with 11-14 ribs. Further, areoles grow along the ribs. They’re specialized places on cacti from which spines develop. Each one provides 8-20 sharp spines up to 3 inches long. Often, hedgehog cacti grow a sturdy covering of these sharp and beautiful spines.
Climate
The plant is a perennial in US Department of Agriculture zones 7-10 and can be found at elevations from sea level to 5,000 feet. And like most cacti, this one develops in rocky, sandy soil.
Therefore, it requires well-draining soil. Note that the hedgehog cactus is susceptible to root rot if kept in damp soil for prolonged periods. It also likes full sun. However, it can also handle partial shade.
We like this cactus because it’s so stunning! It makes a lovely lawn specimen or container plant. And if kept indoors, the hedgehog cactus should be placed near a very sunny window.
Flowers
Every hedgehog cactus variety produces colorful and beautiful flowers which open after the spring rains (February-May). They also produce edible fruit.
The most common varieties of this cactus have deep magenta flowers. However, they also come in pink, lavender, and purple shades. Unfortunately, they only last for 5 days.
The flowers of hedgehog cacti open in the morning and close at night. They’re up to 3 inches wide; thus, they appear much larger than the stems of the cactus.
Fruit
Once flowering is complete, the reddish-orange fruit grows.
The fruit is a spherical 1-inch long fruit with a fleshy white pulp tinged by the skin color. It’s also covered in tasty spines that fall off as the fruit matures.
The best part? It’s also called strawberry hedgehog cactus because the fruit tastes like strawberry. Both rodents and birds consume it.
Propagation
You can propagate this cactus from offset cuttings or seeds. So, you can either sow the seeds in spring or summer onto prepared containers or sandy seedbeds or slice off the offsets in the summer and replant them someplace with full sun exposure. They develop at the base of the plant, and hey’re separated from the rest of the hedgehog cactus by slicing the stems at the bottom of the offset. So, take your pick and go for it!
How To Care For Hedgehog Cactus
The hedgehog cactus isn’t very demanding. On the contrary, it’s a low-maintenance, slow-growing, and unique cactus that develops only a few inches in width and 1 foot in height.
It’s a great house plant available in different colors, sizes, and shapes. This cactus is split into 3 categories including ones with pretty spines, ones with pretty blooms, and globular ones with not so many spines. Most hedgehog cacti have green stigma lobes and large flowers that bloom in spring for a week.
The flowers don’t have any scent. Moreover, they only open during the day and close at night. If you’re interested in buying a hedgehog cactus, here are some tips for taking good care of it.
Light and temperature
The hedgehog cactus loves the sun! Therefore, you should definitely put it where it gets a lot of sunlight. Consider placing your hedgehog cactus at a western-facing window.
If your cactus has received enough water, it can take full sun and thrive! So, provide 6-8 hours every day. During winter, provide a cool, bright, and frost-free home for your cactus. It’s a sun-loving plant that can also handle low temperatures down to about 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Watering and fertilizer
Each variety has different water and fertilizer requirements. For instance, spiny and hairy varieties enjoy dry soil, even in summer because they’re sensitive to overwatering. Overwatering these cacti can result in root rot and crown, especially in winter.
Less spiny and green varieties, on the other hand, like a bit more water. However, let the soil dry out fully between watering. Water your cactus every 2 weeks and add a regular amount of diluted cactus fertilizer seasonally that will help your hedgehog cactus thrive!
Soil type and transplanting
The hedgehog cactus can handle rich soil. However, I suggest that you utilize standard cactus soil for the best results. Once your plant grows bigger, repot it in a bigger pot.
We also suggest that you repot your cactus every year or so. Keep in mind that the hedgehog cactus has a shallow root system that can get damaged easily, so repot it with great care.
Pests and diseases
This cactus genus isn’t immune to pests and diseases. On the contrary, it’s susceptible to mealybugs and scale insects. However, don’t fret! They’re both easy to get rid of with a toothpick.
Root mealybugs can also attack your plant. They’re very small insects that suck the juices from the roots. To prevent further attacks, repot your plant in new fresh soil and add some neem oil.
Summary
The hedgehog cactus is popular among cacti lovers because it’s low-maintenance and looks stunning. It’s the perfect houseplant that doesn’t need much care but offers beautiful flowers and fruits.
What’s your opinion on the hedgehog cactus? Have we missed some hedgehog cactus facts that you think we should include in this article? If so, drop a comment down below, and let’s talk cacti!