Description

The silver cholla is one of several members of the genus Cylindropuntia found in the Mojave and Sonora deserts in southeastern California and beyond. The dense covering of silvery spines almost glow in the abundant sunlight of the silver cholla’s native range, inspiring its common name. It grows in a dense, upright form, with short branch segments growing one after another forming tortuous branches. The yellow-green flowers are large and showy, though - like most cactus flowers - short lived. Silver cholla grows in interior regions, and is subject to occasional freezing temperatures. This bodes well for its cold tolerance in northern gardens. Growing this cactus in a container affords greater flexibility in growing conditions, since the pot can be moved to protected areas during a cold snap. To state the obvious, plant and handle with appropriate consideration of the ample, needle-like spines!