Devil’s Tongue Barrel Cactus
Latin Name: Ferocactus latispinus
$24.95
- Pot Size: 1 Gallon
- Hardiness Zone: Zone 9, Zone 10, Zone 11
Ferocactus latispinus is a solitary barrel cactus that stays low and rounded, forming a single ribbed globe of pale green tissue. Stiff spines line each of its many vertical ribs. The feature that sets it apart is one broad, flat central spine per cluster, curved downward at the tip like a hooked red tongue. That flattened spine gives the plant both its species name and its common name, devil’s tongue. In late fall and early winter, when few desert plants are active, funnel-shaped flowers in rose to violet open near the crown. The deep ribs let the stem swell and shrink as it stores and releases water, keeping the plant plump throughout long dry spells.
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Plant Details
Quick Information
- Latin Name: Ferocactus latispinus
- Plant Family: Cactaceae
- Common Names: Devil’s Tongue Barrel Cactus, Devil’s Tongue, Crow’s Claw Cactus
- Origin / Native Range: Central Mexico (Durango and Zacatecas south to Hidalgo and Puebla)
- Mature Height × Width: 1–1.5 ft × 1–1.5 ft
- Exposure Requirements: Full Sun to Light Afternoon Shade
- Irrigation Requirements: Low
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 9–11
- Cold Hardiness: 23°F–25°F (when dry)
- Bloom Time: Late Fall to Early Winter
- Bloom Color: Rose to Violet
General Information
Devil’s tongue barrel cactus grows as a single stem rather than forming clumps, so each plant reads as one tidy, rounded shape in the garden. Young plants begin nearly spherical and slowly stretch into a low, squat barrel with age. The pale green stem carries 13 to 23 sharp vertical ribs, and older plants usually settle near 21. Along each rib sit raised bumps called areoles, the points where spines emerge. Every areole holds a spreading fan of thinner side spines in white, pink, yellow, or red, along with about four stouter central spines. As the plant ages, its bright red spines slowly fade toward gray. Growth is slow, so a plant holds its neat form for many years.
In the wild, this cactus grows across the dry shrublands and rocky slopes of central Mexico, at elevations from about 2,000 to 8,500 feet. Seedlings often take hold in the shade of a nurse plant, a shrub or small tree whose canopy shields the young cactus from harsh sun and cold until it is large enough to stand on its own. Like other cacti, it uses a water-saving process called CAM photosynthesis, opening its pores to breathe at night when the air is cool and moist, which cuts the water it loses during hot days. Its ribs work like the folds of an accordion, letting the stem swell after rain and draw inward during drought. These traits make the plant very low in water use once established, but they carry a trade-off: roots left cold and wet will rot. It performs best in full sun and sharply draining, gravelly soil, and it makes a long-lived container or rock-garden specimen.
One of the most surprising things about this cactus is when it flowers. Many desert plants bloom in spring, but devil’s tongue waits until late fall and early winter, a season when little else is in flower. It also begins blooming while still young and small, which is one reason growers have long favored it. Once the blooms fade, they are followed by small, scaly, egg-shaped fruit. The genus name Ferocactus comes from a Latin word for fierce, a nod to the heavy, hooked spines that also earn the plant its other common name, crow’s claw cactus. Those spines are stiff and sharp, and the hooked central spine can catch skin and clothing, so handle the plant with thick gloves or a folded towel and place it where people and pets will not brush against it.
General Planting & Cultivation Information
Even drought-tolerant plants require regular watering until they are well established, good drainage is essential. If planting in containers, avoid pots without drainage holes.
Irrigate by watering deeply and then allowing the top several inches of soil to dry between waterings. This encourages the plant to send roots deep into the earth in search of moisture, helping it to become established, prevent root rot, build drought tolerance, and resilience to wind, heat, and cold.
The length of time between waterings will vary depending on your growing conditions and environment. Use a moisture meter for precise irrigation.
When planting, set the plant at the same depth as it was in its current container. For trees, ensure the top of the root flare is at soil level.
Young plants are vulnerable to harsh conditions, so consider growing them in larger containers until mature.
When planting in the ground, research the optimal planting season for your climate zone and protect young plants from frost.
To support establishment, consider creating a microclimate with nurse plants, shade, or wind protection. This can reduce stress, conserve soil moisture, and increase long-term success.
Protect the small, immature plants from rabbits and deer.
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