Argentine Giant Cactus
A sprawling, golden-spined cactus famous for huge fragrant white flowers that open at night.
We’ll add pictures of our actual nursery specimens and mature examples.
Keep your cactus happy
Full sun or bright partial shade. In the hottest parts of South Texas, a little afternoon protection may reduce stress and sunburn.
Give a thorough soak during active growth after the soil has dried. Newly planted specimens need occasional establishment water; cut back sharply in cool weather.
Pots or ground — allow space for spreading
Containers are great for young clumps and easier freeze management. In the ground, leave room for multiple stems to sprawl outward; this is not a tall columnar cactus despite the name.
Use a coarse, fast-draining cactus mix and keep roots out of standing water. Raised mounds help in heavy soil.
Often about 2–3 feet tall and 3–4 feet or more across as clumps spread. Its width matters more than height for placement.
More cold-tolerant than many tropical columnar cacti, but protection is wise during severe or prolonged freezes, especially for container plants or recently rooted specimens.
Good to know
A mature clump can produce enormous white, often fragrant blooms in spring and early summer — sometimes 6 to 8 inches across.
Further reading: Arizona Municipal Water Users Association · Southern Nevada Water Authority
← Browse our plant care libraryCare varies with conditions, maturity, season, and drainage. Frost tolerance is not a guarantee; protect tender plants before freezes. Never lift a cactus by its spines or protective foam.