Le conte barrel cactus
Ferocactus cylindraceus
Last reviewed: November 2026
Le conte barrel cactus (Ferocactus cylindraceus) is a perennial succulent native to AZ, CA, UT. It blooms in April, May, and June. The flowers draw native bees.
Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Le conte barrel cactus, free in the app.
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
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 461 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Le conte barrel cactus.
Browse plants for this ecoregion
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.
Growing Le conte barrel cactus
Grow Le conte barrel cactus in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 36 to 96 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide.
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
Ready to grow Le conte barrel cactus? Add it to your garden in the Pollinator Patch App to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.