Hardy or sensitive to frost?

Echinocereus is hardy and tolerates low temperatures below zero

Echinocereus is native to the southwestern United States, southern and central Mexico. There are not only summer temperatures there, it often gets very cold, especially at night. This type of cactus therefore copes very well with sub-zero temperatures and is hardy.

The cacti can withstand temperatures of up to minus 25 degrees and are therefore easy to grow in the garden even in cool regions.

Before winter begins, the cactus begins to store less water and slowly becomes wrinkled. As soon as the temperatures get warmer, the Echinocereus stores more water again.

Pulling Echinocereus in the garden

While the sub-zero temperatures are not a problem for the Echinocereus - you absolutely have to protect it from too much moisture. This is especially true for the roots, which rot in waterlogging.

Prepare the garden bed well before planting the Echinocereus:

• Loosen the soil very well
• Remove stones and thickenings
• Create a drainage layer of gravel and sand

In autumn, cover the Echinocereus with brushwood or fir branches. This is less about protection from the cold than about protection from too much winter moisture.

Prepare slowly for cool temperatures

A freshly purchased Echinocereus that you want to care for in the garden will have to be used slowly to the cooler temperatures. First, put the pot in the designated place in the garden by the hour.

Once the Echinocereus has settled in, it hardly needs any care other than protection from rain and snow.

Maintain Echinocereus in the room

If you want to keep an Echinocereus indoors all year round, make sure that you always keep it slightly damp. However, it is essential to avoid waterlogging.

While he estimates high temperatures between 18 and 26 degrees in summer, he likes it significantly cooler in winter with 8 to 10 degrees.