Echinocactus grusonii - Golden Barrel Cactus

Highlights

Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii) (Hildmann): Round cactus covered with sharp golden spikes that catch the light. It grows very slowly but has a lifespan of 30 years in optimal conditions. It can reach 3.0' in diameter and has deep ribs at maturity. After about 20 years of growth, it can also produce small yellow blooms around its crown. Though widely available in nursery cultivation, wild Golden Barrel Cactus is endangered in its native habitat in east-central Mexico.

This cactus variety will not survive a hard frost, but if there is a risk of freezing temperatures it can be brought indoors to grow on a sunny window sill or under a grow light. Cactus need bright sunlight, great drainage, and infrequent water to prevent rot. Pick containers with drainage holes and use well-draining cactus and succulent soil with 70% to 80% mineral grit such as coarse sand, pumice, or perlite. Water deeply and wait for the soil to completely dry out before watering again.

Full Cactus Guide.

Product Size

2.0" Pot

Current Primary Color

Yellow / Gold

All Seasonal Colors

Green

Bloom Color

Yellow Bloom

Grow Zone (Hardiness)

Zone 10 (30F)

Recommended Light Conditions

Bright Indoor Light, Full Sun

Maximum Height

Over 12"

Growth Habit / Shape

Clumping / Mounding

Special Characteristic

Slow Grower

THIS PLANT IS HARDY IN ZONES 10+

10

WHAT IS MY HARDINESS ZONE?

Zip Code

GO

0

Videos

Questions & Answers

none

Continue Chat with an Expert 115 characters remaining

Email Address

I agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Submit

Popular Questions

---

1 year ago

Why do they stretch out, even when in a sunny window? See answer

See more »

Follow

1 year ago  •  Staff Answer

This happens when a window isn't sunny enough. Cacti require lots of direct sun otherwise they will stretch for light. You could move it closer to a sunnier window, and/or supplement with a grow light. When there is no risk of frost, you can also move it outdoors to get full sun, unfiltered by windows. See full answer »

0 | 0

See more answers

3 years ago

The low indoor light varieties I'm looking at say to plant in a deep pot. How many inches is that? See answer

See more »

Follow

3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

If the plant comes in a 2" pot, I'd plant in a pot that's, at least 3.5" deep. However, I wouldn't plant it in a pot that's deeper than 5" to start. Haworthia like their roots to be a little tight so be sure not to over pot it at first. See full answer »

0 | 0

See more answers

1 year ago

Can you recommend indoor lighting? Full spectrum, grow spectrum? Any preferred brand? See answer

Zone 4/5 here. My succulents live indoors in the winter and need supplementary light to avoid stretching. Would love to know what artificial lights you use/recommend. Full spectrum (white), grow spectrum (blue/purple), other? Do you have a preferred brand of lighting? How many hours extra are needed for soft, hard, other, succulents? See more »

Follow

1 year ago  •  Staff Answer

Yes! You can find grow light specs and recommended types here on our Guide to Grow Lights for Succulents.
Source: https://mountaincrestgardens.com/blog... See full answer »

0 | 0

See more answers

2 years ago

We keep our home at 65° year round. The indoor succulents seem to struggle indoors but outside gets too hot See answer

We live in north central Arkansas. It gets brutally humid and hot during the late spring, summer, and early fall months. I have all my succulents on my west facing porch because the backyard belongs to our Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
Would getting a porch shade be a good idea for the summer in late afternoon? All my succulents get the mid afternoon sun and I know it's too much for some of them but bringing them inside our too cool temp home doesn't help either. Even when I put them in an East facing window they still don't seem to do so well because of the indoor temp. See more »

Follow

2 years ago  •  Staff Answer

The only issue with porch shades is that they're frequently too shady. If you erected some kind of shade using shade cloth designed for plants, that could help. You wouldn't need it to be too shady, roughly 30%-40% would do the trick.

However, 65°F isn't too cold for many succulents. Especially once the radiant heat from direct sunlight in an south facing window is factored in, that you wouldn't feel in the air. The issue may have more to do with humidity than temperature. Looking at the relative humidity predictions for Stone County (just as an example) it's suppose to get over 70% in the near future! This makes watering more tricky as plants don't dry out nearly as quickly as they should and rot can set in as a result.

If your house is less humid than it is outdoors, then moving them inside may do them more good than shade cloth outside. In fact, shade cloth may only further prolong drying and exacerbate the problem. See full answer »

1 | 0

See more answers

3 years ago

Which type of succulents will grow best in an east facing window in an all white room? See answer

See more »

Follow

3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Your best bet are low light succulents. They'll get some morning sun but no more. Click the link below to see all our low light succulents.
Source: https://mountaincrestgardens.com/expl... See full answer »

0 | 0

See more answers

4 years ago

What kind of soil should I use with succulents? See answer

See more »

Follow

4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Shop Succulent Soil Here

Succulents need grittier soil than other plants because they are adapted to dry conditions and store water in their leaves. Regular potting soil mixes stay damp for long periods of time, which can cause rot in succulents. Instead, use a sandy, well-draining soil so you can water thoroughly without leaving your succulent in standing water.

IN POTS…

See full answer »

43 | 0

See more answers

4 years ago

When should I plant my succulents after they arrive? See answer

See more »

Follow

4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Our plants can be transplanted immediately upon arrival.
If you want to wait to transplant, they can remain in their original containers for up to a month. If the pots came in a plastic carrier tray, remove the pots from the carrier tray prior to the first watering.

Keep the plants indoors near a sunny window or outdoors under a roof (only if outdoor temperatures stay above your succulent's minimum hardiness temperature). Water only after the soil is fully dry by drenching from above with a faucet, hose, or watering can. Gently shake excess water from the leaves and allow containers to drain completely.

See full answer »

56 | 1

See more answers

4 years ago

Do I need to fertilize succulents? See answer

See more »

Follow

4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Fertilizing is not necessary, but it is a good option for succulent growers who want to encourage faster, larger growth. It can be used on mature plants with established roots. Only fertilize in the growing season (spring and summer for most varieties) to avoid weakening or burning dormant plants. Use a light touch and make 2-3 applications of low-Nitrogen, diluted fertilizer each year (N-P-K ratio around 5-10-10). You can find specially-formulated cactus / succulent fertilizers in most garden centers or go organic with compost tea or bone meal.

Example: Miracle-Gro Quick Start, diluted to half strength

See full answer »

36 | 3

See more answers

4 years ago

How to water succulents? See answer

See more »

Follow

4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Succulents need deep, infrequent watering, especially during their growing season and when they are young and establishing roots. Only water after the soil is completely dry and the plant feels less firm. Err on the side of underwatering. Watering too frequently is the most common way to kill succulents.

HOW TO WATER SUCCULENTS

• Drench from above using a faucet, hose, or watering can
• Do not mist with a spray bottle (the only exception is for Air Plants)
• Water until it drains from the container's drainage hole. If your container does not have a drainage hole (not recommended), use about 1/3 the volume of the container…

See full answer »

35 | 2

See more answers

4 years ago

How much sun / light do succulents need? See answer

See more »

Follow

4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Different succulent varieties have different light needs. You can find the Recommended Light Conditions on each variety's page by scrolling down to the Product Details. We use four categories of recommended light, and some plants can thrive under a range of light conditions.

LOW INDOOR LIGHT

• Can grow indoors without direct sun.
• Placing outdoors in direct sun or on sunny window sills might cause dark burns.
• There are a limited number of succulent varieties that thrive in low light, notably Haworthia, Gasteria, Peperomia, and some Jade…

See full answer »

19 | 1

See more answers

View all

---