Compass Barrel
Ferocactus cylindraceus
Native barrel cactus with reddish spines and yellow spring blooms.
Kevin Gepford / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 — license
Schedule: Very infrequent — often monthly or less once established. None when soil is cool and damp.
Emitters: Single low-flow emitter offset from base, or hand-watering only.
Overwatering is the #1 cause of cactus and agave loss. AE designs cactus zones on their own valve.
Arizona yards have very different microclimates. West-facing walls, glass, artificial turf, pavers, travertine, porcelain, and pool decking all increase reflected heat. AE considers these before confirming placement.
- Low root impact
AE verifies pool deck, paver, foundation, wall, and utility clearances before final planting.
Quick Facts
- Plant type
- Cactus
- Mature size
- 3–6 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water use
- Very low
- Evergreen / Deciduous
- Evergreen
- Thorns / spines
- Severe
- Litter level
- Low
- Pool area
- Good with placement
- Pet/kid placement
- Avoid near play areas
- Maintenance
- Very low
- Privacy value
- Low
- Shade value
- Low
- Native
- Sonoran native
About Compass Barrel
A great native counterpoint to golden barrels.
Best uses: Native barrel accent
AE Designer Opinion
Design Uses
- Native design
- Boulder areas
Care & Maintenance
- Very low water
- Excellent drainage
- Plant with the lean facing south
Pairs Well With
- Ocotillo
- Brittlebush
- Desert Spoon
More Arizona Plants Like This
Ready to Build Your AE Plant Wishlist?
Add Compass Barrel and your other favorites to your wishlist, then send it to the AE design team for the final plant palette.