Thelocactus bicolor

Highlights

Thelocactus bicolor (also known as Glory of Texas and Straw Spine Cactus) (Britton & Rose): An easy-to-grow, globose cactus with lots of fierce spines. These green stems are lined with 8-13 ribs and have straight and curved spines of white, yellow, or red. It grows wild in Texas and northern Mexico and can reach 15.0" tall and 7.0" wide at maturity. It produces shiny, magenta flowers and occasionally grows clusters of offsets around its base. This species won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit for appearance and vigor.

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. Keep dry in winter.

Full Cactus Guide

Product Size

2.5" Pot

Current Primary Color

Green

Bloom Color

Pink Bloom

Grow Zone (Hardiness)

Zone 10 (30F)

Recommended Light Conditions

Bright Indoor Light, Full Sun

Maximum Height

Over 12"

Growth Habit / Shape

Vertical Grower / Tall Stem

Special Characteristic

Hard to Kill, Showy Blooms

THIS PLANT IS HARDY IN ZONES 10+

10

WHAT IS MY HARDINESS ZONE?

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Popular Questions

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3 years ago

Request Specific Color? See answer

What colors are available? See more »

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3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Hi there!

Haworthia cooperi var. truncata doesn't have variations that are specific colors even though some plants do differ in color.

This has more to do with their environment rather than the variety of plant in question. They'll turn red/orange to varying degrees depending on how much sunlight and water they get. The more sun and less water they get, the more red/orange they'll become, as a general rule.

However, be careful when you're doing this as this particular plant can be sensitive to harsh sunlight! I hope this helps! See full answer »

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3 years ago

Are they poisonous? How do they taste? See answer

Just curious See more »

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3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

They are not poisonous, however, I haven't tasted one so I can't comment on that. I hear however, that some Haworthia hybridizers would eat their less attractive hybrids just to get rid of them. Beyond this, I haven't heard of them being regularly eaten. I doubt they taste very good.

If you do order one from us, I don't recommend trying to eat it because we do use pesticides. See full answer »

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2 years ago

Do these have spines on them? See answer

I seen a pic on a site that did have spines, your pics do not. See more »

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2 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Haworthia cooperi var. truncata can have bits that look like spines at the tips of the leaves but these aren't sharp or even stiff and they tend to lose these cilia with age. Some of ours have these cilia and some had these cilia, but lost them. See full answer »

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2 years ago

What does "Summer Dormant Partial" mean? See answer

I recently purchased a HAWORTHIA COOPERI VAR. TRUNCATA (thank you), and I was looking up how to take care of it and under "Seasonality" is the term "Summer Dormant Partial".
I know that means that a plant that is dormant is not actively growing, but what is partial about it? Is the plant growing slowly, or does it mean something else? See more »

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2 years ago  •  Staff Answer

It really depends on your environmental conditions. Haworthia can slow down (partial dormancy) or temporarily stop growing (full dormancy) in response to high heat and drought. This is their natural cycle in the wild, but it doesn't always translate perfectly in cultivation, especially if you grow your Haworthia indoors. See full answer »

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1 year ago

Is hawarhia truncata the same as hawarthia obtusa See answer

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1 year ago  •  Staff Answer

The two are similar in appearance but they are different species. Haworthia cooperi var. truncata has consistently larger leaf windows and blooms. See full answer »

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4 years ago

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

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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…

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4 years ago

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

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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.

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4 years ago

Do I need to fertilize succulents? See answer

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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

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4 years ago

How to water succulents? See answer

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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…

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4 years ago

How much sun / light do succulents need? See answer

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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…

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