Townsend's Barrel Cactus Plant Care
Ferocactus townsendianus Britton & Rose
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Ferocactus townsendianus, commonly known as the Townsend barrel cactus, is a species of cactus endemic to southern Baja California Sur in Mexico. It is a barrel cactus that grows solitary stems up to 1 metre (3.3 ft) tall, with gray to brown spines, with one central spine on each areole usually curved or hooked at the tip, and orange to red flowers that bloom from May to August.
Every 14–21 days
Full sun
50–100°F
10–40%
At a glance
How do you care for Townsend's Barrel Cactus?
Water Townsend's Barrel Cactus every 14–21 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–100°F (10–38°C) and 10–40% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Townsend's Barrel Cactus Native To?
What Is the Townsend's Barrel Cactus?
Townsend's Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus townsendianus) belongs to the Cactaceae family within the Ferocactus genus. Townsend's Barrel Cactus is native to southern Baja California Sur in Mexico.
Townsend's Barrel Cactus displays a solitary barrel-shaped growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Townsend's Barrel Cactus produces bright yellow to red funnel-shaped blooms.
How Often Should You Water a Townsend's Barrel Cactus?
Ferocactus townsendianus 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 Townsend's Barrel Cactus Need?
Townsend's Barrel Cactus thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Townsend's Barrel Cactus Prefer?
Ferocactus townsendianus grows best at temperatures of 50–100°F. Townsend's Barrel Cactus prefers humidity levels of 10–40%.
Temperature
50–100°F
Humidity
10–40%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Townsend's Barrel Cactus?
Sandy, well-draining cactus mix with perlite and coarse sand. Good drainage is essential for Townsend's Barrel Cactus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Townsend's Barrel Cactus?
Feed Townsend's Barrel 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 Townsend's Barrel 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 Townsend's Barrel Cactus?
Townsend's Barrel Cactus can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to fishhook barrel cactus plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Townsend's Barrel Cactus Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Townsend's Barrel 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 Townsend's Barrel Cactus?
Townsend's Barrel Cactus is susceptible to scale insects, spider mites. 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 Townsend's Barrel Cactus Need?
Townsend's Barrel Cactus grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Townsend's Barrel Cactus is native to southern Baja California Sur in Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Townsend's Barrel Cactus as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Townsend's Barrel 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 Ferocactus genus — compare its care with other Ferocactus species on PlantoScan.
Ferocactus is part of the Cactaceae plant family — browse all Cactaceae genera and species.
Townsend's Barrel Cactus thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Ferocactus Species
Other Ferocactus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Ferocactus townsendianus Britton & Rose, family Cactaceae (first published in Cactaceae 3: 127. 1922.) — World Flora Online record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Townsend's Barrel 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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