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Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus

4.5 out of 5 (2 experiences)

Survivor

Also known as

Barrel Cactus and Ferocactus latispinus.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Ferocactus latispinus

Genus

Ferocactus

Family

Cactaceae

Order

Caryophyllales

How to care for Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus

💦 Water

How often to water your Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus

Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus in your home

Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Ferocactus

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

Benefits of Growing Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus →

Common Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus Problems →

💦 Water Needs

Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus Water Frequency →

Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus Light Requirements →

Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus Toxicity to Cats →

Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus Toxicity to Dogs →

Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus Toxicity to Humans →

💨 Humidity

Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus →

When and How to Successfully Repot Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus →

💩 Fertilizer

Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus →

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.

🌎 Native Region

Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus is native to Southwestern United States and Mexico.

🌸 Flowers

Yes, you may see your Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.

Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus Flowers →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

How and When to Prune Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus →

🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

How to Propagate Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus →

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.

😖 Common Issues

Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus. These plants are very sensitive to wet soil so if you notice your plant becoming squishy or translucent, overwatering is the likely culprit.

Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil. Download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!