Saguaro
Carnegiea gigantea
Also listed as Cereus giganteus, Pilocereus giganteus
Also known as Sahuaro, Giant Cactus
Climate Match for your location
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An iconic columnar cactus native to the Sonoran Desert with a thick trunk and upright arms, producing fragrant white flowers in late spring. Extremely slow-growing and long-lived, requiring full sun and minimal water once established.
Why grow it
Saguaros are among the longest-lived cacti in cultivation, with specimens potentially exceeding 150 years, offering a permanent landscape feature in suitable climates. Compared to faster-growing columnar cacti, they provide unmatched architectural presence and are the only native cactus that reliably produces large white flowers and red fruit attractive to desert wildlife. Their minimal water and nutrient requirements once established make them a low-maintenance choice for xeriscape gardens in the Sonoran Desert region and similar hot, arid zones.
Watch out for
Growth is extremely slow (often less than 1.5 inches per year), so expect decades before the plant reaches significant size or flowering maturity. Young plants benefit from protection from intense afternoon sun and occasional deep watering during establishment, contrary to their eventual drought tolerance. In cultivation outside their native range, winter temperatures below freezing or extended cool periods can stress or kill plants, even mature ones.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cactaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Sonoran Desert (Arizona, Mexico)
Native to: Arizona, California
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
An iconic columnar cactus native to the Sonoran Desert with a thick trunk and upright arms, producing fragrant white flowers in late spring. Extremely slow-growing and long-lived, requiring full sun and minimal water once established.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Saguaro grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Saguaros are among the longest-lived cacti in cultivation, with specimens potentially exceeding 150 years, offering a permanent landscape feature in suitable climates. Compared to faster-growing columnar cacti, they provide unmatched architectural presence and are the only native cactus that reliably produces large white flowers and red fruit attractive to desert wildlife. Their minimal water and nutrient requirements once established make them a low-maintenance choice for xeriscape gardens in the Sonoran Desert region and similar hot, arid zones.
Watch out for
Growth is extremely slow (often less than 1.5 inches per year), so expect decades before the plant reaches significant size or flowering maturity. Young plants benefit from protection from intense afternoon sun and occasional deep watering during establishment, contrary to their eventual drought tolerance. In cultivation outside their native range, winter temperatures below freezing or extended cool periods can stress or kill plants, even mature ones.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cactaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Sonoran Desert (Arizona, Mexico)
Native to: Arizona, California
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar sub-canopy trees you might consider:
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