Golden Baned Cactus

Golden Baned Cactus

3 Gallon
$59.90
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Golden Baned Cactus
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Golden Baned Cactus

Echinocactus grusonii

Iconic Perfect Golden Sphere • Extremely Slow-Growing & Long-Lived • Ultimate Desert Specimen Plant

$59.90
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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

The Golden Barrel Cactus is the quintessential, iconic cactus of desert landscapes. It forms a perfect, symmetrical, globe-shaped body densely armed with stiff, golden-yellow spines. Slow-growing and long-lived, it starts spherical and gradually becomes more cylindrical. Its striking geometric form and vibrant color make it a must-have focal point for any cactus collection, rock garden, or minimalist modern landscape.

  • The classic barrel cactus, forming a perfect, solitary sphere that slowly becomes cylindrical.

  • Covered in prominent, rigid, golden-yellow spines arranged in distinct ribs.

  • Extremely slow-growing; a 1-foot diameter specimen can be decades old.

  • Produces a crown of small yellow flowers on mature plants (over 20 years old).

  • Drought tolerant but appreciates occasional water in summer; must have perfect drainage.

  • An unmatched architectural specimen for pots, desert gardens, or as a living sculpture.

Knowing how we measure the size?

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

  • A larger gallon size generally means:

    • A more established root system

    • A sturdier plant

    • Faster visual impact after planting

  • Example:

    • 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity

    • 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.


🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

  • Commonly used for:

    • Ornamental trees

    • Feature plants

    • Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.

  • Why choose Multi:

    • Fuller, more sculptural appearance

    • Strong visual presence even at younger ages

    • Popular for design-focused landscapes


🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

  • Commonly used for:

    • Shade trees

    • Street trees

    • Orchard and structural plantings

  • Why choose Stand:

    • Clean, classic tree form

    • Easier clearance for walkways and lawns

    • Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity


🌿 Choosing the Right Size

  • If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form

  • If you want long-term structure → Stand form

  • If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Quick facts
  • Features:Globular, ribbed deep green body covered with dense, stiff golden-yellow spines. Produces yellow flowers in summer that form a crown-like ring at the top.
  • Mature Height: 1-4 ft
  • Mature Width: 1-4 ft
  • Growth Rate: Slow
  • Light Needs: Full sun
  • Key Advantages:Iconic barrel shape,Spectacular golden spines,Extremely drought tolerant,Low maintenance
  • Landscape Uses: Desert landscapes,Rock gardens,Modern designs,Container gardens
  • Special Care:Requires excellent drainage (sandy/gravelly soil),Water monthly in summer (deep soak),Protect from frost below 25°F (-4°C)
  • Seasonal Interest:Flowers: Summer (mature plants only),Form: Year-round sculptural interest
FAQs

Q: How often should I water it?
A: Deeply but infrequently. In summer, water every 2-4 weeks, allowing soil to dry completely. In winter, stop watering entirely to allow dormancy. Overwatering is the fastest way to kill it.

Q: Why is it endangered in the wild?
A: Its native habitat in Mexico was largely flooded by dam construction. Combined with past over-collection, wild populations are critically endangered. Always purchase nursery-propagated plants, never wild-collected ones.

Browse online or get recommendations

Shop by collection, or message us with photos and measurements of your space for tailored suggestions.

Place your order & schedule delivery

Choose your trees and preferred delivery window. Most Bay Area orders are delivered within about 10 business days, depending on routing and weather.

We deliver carefully to your property

Our drivers are trained to handle living plants, not just boxes. For many trees, we can set them in place near the planting site.

Grow with our ongoing support

You’ll receive basic care guidelines, and you can always reach out if you’re unsure about watering, fertilizing, or pruning.

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