Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus Plant Care

Echinocereus yavapaiensis M.A.Baker

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Echinocereus yavapaiensis is a species of cactus native to Arizona.

🌵Succulents🌵Cacti
Water

Every 14–21 days

Light

Full sun

Temp

50–90°F

Humidity

10–40%

At a glance

How do you care for Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus?

Water Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus every 14–21 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–90°F (10–32°C) and 10–40% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus?

Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus yavapaiensis) belongs to the Cactaceae family within the Echinocereus genus. Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus is native to Arizona.

Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus displays a low clumping cactus growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus produces brightly colored funnel-shaped flowers.

How Often Should You Water a Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus?

Echinocereus yavapaiensis requires watering every 14–21 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.

Watering Frequency

Every 14–21 days

Let soil partially dry between waterings

What Light Does the Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus Need?

Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus thrives in full sun.

Light Requirement

Full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus Prefer?

Echinocereus yavapaiensis grows best at temperatures of 50–90°F. Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus prefers humidity levels of 10–40%.

Temperature

50–90°F

Humidity

10–40%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus?

Sandy, well-draining cactus mix with perlite and coarse sand. Good drainage is essential for Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus?

Feed Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus every 8 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.

Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.

Fertilizing

Every 8 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

How Do You Repot a Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus?

Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.

How Do You Propagate a Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus?

Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus can be propagated through seeds, offsets, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to claret cup cactus plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus?

Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus is susceptible to spider mites, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus Need?

Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus is native to Arizona. In cooler regions, grow Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Echinocereus genus — compare its care with other Echinocereus species on PlantoScan.

Echinocereus is part of the Cactaceae plant family — browse all Cactaceae genera and species.

Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Echinocereus Species

Other Echinocereus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Echinocereus yavapaiensis M.A.Baker, family Cactaceae (first published in in Pl. Syst. Evol. 258: 79. 2006.) — World Flora Online record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Yavapai Hedgehog Cactus, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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