Acanthocalycium spiniflorum

Scientific Name: Acanthocalycium spiniflorum (K. Schumann.) Backeberg in Backeberg & F.M. Knuth
Synonym: Acanthocalycium spiniflorum, Acanthocalycium violaceum, Echinocactus spiniflorum, Echinopsis spiniflora, Echinopsis violacea, Lobivia spiniflora
Family: Cactaceae

Frost Tolerance: 25° F (-4° C), 'violaceum' clones are resistant to 15° F (-10° C) for short periods

Sun Exposure: Full sun to part sun, tolerates intense sun light

Origin: Argentina (Cordoba)

Growth Habits: Solitary to clumping, up to 2 feet tall (60 cm), 6 inches in diameter (15 cm); 16 to 20 acute ribs; 10 to 20 spines

Watering Needs: Little water in winter, regular water in summer

Propagation: Seeds

The Acanthocalycium spiniflorum has white to violet flowers in summer (the pink flowers justified the forma violacea). The flowers measure 1.5 inches in diameter (4 cm) or more. Even when not blooming, the attractive spination makes it an interesting cactus.

Blooming Habits:
Large 1.6 inches (4 cm) or more, pastel pink or white flowers. It starts blooming at around 2.4 inches in diameter (6 cm).

Culture:
Water your Acanthocalycium sparingly. Wait for the well draining soil mixture to be rather dry before watering again. If it loses its roots, let the stem dry for a few days before replanting.