Le conte barrel cactus
Ferocactus cylindraceus
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Le conte barrel cactus (Ferocactus cylindraceus) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
36"–96" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
AZ, CA, UT
Pollinators
native bees
Before you buy
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This barrel cactus has a stout, ribbed, cylindrical form covered in dense spines, with a ring of yellow to orange flowers at the crown in late spring. It grows on rocky desert slopes and washes.
Wildlife value
The flowers are pollinated by native bees, and the sculptural form makes it a striking, low-water focal plant.
Common questions
- How much sun does Le conte barrel cactus need?
- Le conte barrel cactus grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Le conte barrel cactus bloom?
- Le conte barrel cactus blooms in April, May, and June.
- Where is Le conte barrel cactus native?
- Le conte barrel cactus (Ferocactus cylindraceus) is native to AZ, CA, UT, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Le conte barrel cactus attract?
- Le conte barrel cactus draws native bees.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
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