Plant Care Golden Barrel Cactus

Golden Barrel Cactus

4.7 out of 5 (264 experiences)

Golden Barrel Cactus has a Survivor plant personality Survivor
Golden Barrel Cactus has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower

Also known as

Echinocactus grusonii and Echinocactus grusonii albispinus

Taxonomy

Kroenleinia grusonii
Kroenleinia
Cactaceae
Caryophyllales

How to care for Golden Barrel Cactus

💦 Water

How often to water your Golden Barrel Cactus

Water needs for Golden Barrel Cactus
0.5 cups
every 12

Golden 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.

Calculate water needs of Golden Barrel Cactus

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Golden Barrel Cactus in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Golden Barrel Cactus: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

Golden 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.

Golden Barrel Cactus does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Golden Barrel Cactus in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Golden Barrel Cactus

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Golden 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 Golden Barrel Cactus after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #GoldenBarrelCactus
💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

Golden 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!

How to Grow Golden Barrel Cactus →

Benefits of Growing Golden Barrel Cactus →

Common Golden Barrel Cactus Problems →

Indoor Care Guide for Golden Barrel Cactus →

Outdoor Care Guide for Golden Barrel Cactus →


💦 Water Needs

Golden 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.


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Golden 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 🏡.

Golden Barrel Cactus Light Requirements →


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Golden Barrel Cactus is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.

Is Golden Barrel Cactus Edible? →


💨 Humidity

Golden 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.


🪴 Soil

Golden 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 Pots for Golden Barrel Cactus →

When and How to Successfully Repot Golden Barrel Cactus →

What Are Healthy Golden Barrel Cactus Roots →


💩 Fertilizer

Golden 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!


🌎 Native Region

Golden Barrel Cactus is native to Eastern Mexico.


🌸 Flowers
⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern
🌦️ Growing Outdoors
🧐 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 Golden 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!


Care Summary for Golden Barrel Cactus

Golden Barrel Cactus

Golden Barrel Cactus


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 12 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say

Golden Barrel Cactus has a Survivor plant personality Survivor 214
Golden Barrel Cactus has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower 32
Golden Barrel Cactus has a Easy to propagate plant personality Easy to propagate 24
Golden Barrel Cactus has a Blooms easily plant personality Blooms easily 16
Golden Barrel Cactus has a Large, lush leaves plant personality Large, lush leaves 3
Golden Barrel Cactus has a Pest magnet plant personality Pest magnet 3
Golden Barrel Cactus has a Browns easily plant personality Browns easily 3
@Mabes avatar
@@Mabes
leaf-1 85 Plants
xp 5,189 XP
globe Los Angeles, CA
01/30/2022

Love this cactus. Husband got it for me on Valentine’s Day last year and i’ve went weeeks without watering it and it’s doing fine

Survivor Survivor
@AceCosmo avatar
@@AceCosmo
leaf-1 1 Plants
xp 27 XP
globe Little Suamico, WI
01/18/2022

Just something beautiful about the plant

Survivor Survivor
@SirOlneya avatar
@@SirOlneya
leaf-1 1 Plants
xp 54 XP
globe Fort Mill, SC
01/15/2022

Its sooooc ute and aesthetic

@Kingocheesland avatar
@@Kingocheesland
leaf-1 5 Plants
xp 413 XP
01/11/2022

Doesn’t require much care, preferably placed in a bright sunny spot but is tolerant to dimmer rooms. It’s beatuful round shape is so appeasing!

Survivor Survivor
@jadedtara avatar
@@jadedtara
leaf-1 16 Plants
xp 539 XP
globe Delaware, OH
01/03/2022

They are very slow growers, but they can survive a lot!

Survivor Survivor
@Uniqueplantlove avatar
@@Uniqueplantlove
leaf-1 6 Plants
xp 1,433 XP
01/02/2022

These are cactus so they do poke but great plants to have for decorating

Survivor Survivor
@RDPRDY avatar
@@RDPRDY
leaf-1 6 Plants
xp 314 XP
globe Puyallup, WA
01/02/2022

Kind of a slow grower, but will definitely survive even the most negligent plant parent…. 🙇

Survivor Survivor
@DivineTreasures avatar
@@DivineTreasures
leaf-1 8 Plants
xp 1,895 XP
globe Lebanon, TN
12/06/2021

My son doesn’t want him so i adopted him

Survivor Survivor
@Remote avatar
@@Remote
leaf-1 1 Plants
xp 102 XP
12/03/2021

You don’t have to water cactuses a whole lot just remember that you need to put it where a lot of sunlight is because well the live in the dessert lol

Survivor Survivor
@voidbugz avatar
@@voidbugz
leaf-1 40 Plants
xp 6,776 XP
globe Minneapolis, MN
11/20/2021

The spines are sharp lol

Survivor Survivor
Terry avatar
@Terry
leaf-1 4 Plants
xp 103 XP
globe San Diego, CA
11/11/2021

I just got them and I need help on how to take care of them

Survivor Survivor
Rebekah avatar
@Rebekah
leaf-1 4 Plants
xp 83 XP
globe Harbour Grace, Newfoundland and Labrador
11/05/2021

I haven’t killed him yet so he’s definitely a survivor!

Survivor Survivor
@ashersmith avatar
@@ashersmith
leaf-1 9 Plants
xp 565 XP
globe Greenville, SC
10/12/2021

Extremely slow grower, but virtually indestructible.

Survivor Survivor
@theaa avatar
@@theaa
leaf-1 4 Plants
xp 231 XP
10/10/2021

I like that you dont have to give them water so often,but i have given one of my cactuses too much water and now its all wobbly

Survivor Survivor
@Lauriin avatar
@@Lauriin
leaf-1 5 Plants
xp 111 XP
globe Berkhamsted, England
10/06/2021

Do not water very often, needs lots of sun

Survivor Survivor
@axc avatar
@@axc
leaf-1 4 Plants
xp 119 XP
10/05/2021

Super easy to care for, lil guy doesn’t have to be watered very often!

Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Survivor Survivor
Jeff avatar
@Jeff
leaf-1 5 Plants
xp 102 XP
09/26/2021

Vff do n add v

Survivor Survivor
@sheloves avatar
@@sheloves
leaf-1 5 Plants
xp 85 XP
globe Midlothian, TX
09/23/2021

four got her name because my mom tried to place her back on the shelf she fell and toppled over and spiked four of her spikes in her forearm!

Blooms easily Blooms easily
@lor._.nor avatar
@@lor._.nor
leaf-1 7 Plants
xp 156 XP
globe Ludlow, New Brunswick
09/20/2021

I love Charlie with all my heart he is no easy and I forgot to water him sometimes but he’s still here and he is tiny

Survivor Survivor
@Ez avatar
@@Ez
leaf-1 3 Plants
xp 91 XP
09/20/2021

I’ve had Apollo for about 4 months now and he’s doing great!

Survivor Survivor

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