Acanthocereus tetragonus

Acanthocereus tetragonus is a small columnar cactus plant that produces hundreds of green branches. While it grows, the branches clump vertically, forming the turrets of “Fairy castle”. On the other hand, each stem of the Fairy castle plant has five sides with tiny white spines growing along the ribs. The growth of this plant is comparatively slow. Whereas, the stem of this plant can grow up to inches tall. The plant grows well in indoors. Blooms in the summer season for instance in white or yellow colours.

What are the common names for Acanthocereus tetragonus?

Barbed-wire cactus, triangle cactus, sword-pear, Órgano-alado, de pitaya, dildo cactus, Fairy Castle Cactus, and night-blooming cereus are common names for Acanthocereus tetragonus.

Classification:

Division	Magnoliophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Subclass	Caryophyllidae
Order	Caryophyllales
Family	Cactaceae
Subfamily	Cactoideae
Genus	Acanthocereus
Species	A. tetragonus
Kingdom	Plantae
Tribe	Pachycereeae

How do you care for Acanthocereus tetragonus?

Acanthocereus tetragonus is a succulent and does not require a lot of water. Overwatering will damage the cactus. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Well-drained sandy soil is considered as best for these Cactus plants. For the best results grow these in preferred soil. Use fertilizer in the spring season when growth resumes. it grows best when you cut the stems from time to time.

Flowering data of Acanthocereus tetragonus:

Flower	Flowers 10-20 cm
Domain	Eukaryota
Bloom Time	July, August, September
Flower color	White or yellow flowers.
Phylum	Spermatophyta
Fruit	Fruits are shiny, red, and sweet-tasting.
Subphylum	Angiospermae
Plant type	Cactus
Growth rate	Slow growing plant
Evergreen	Yes
Leaf	Eardrop shaped red-toned leaves
Attracts	Hummingbird moths

What light conditions are best for Acanthocereus tetragonus?

This plant grows well in bright light as well as in the direct sunlight.

Plant Care:

Water	Low, Medium
Sun	Part Shade
Maintenance	Medium
Soil pH	6 to 7
Required Soil drainage	Well drainage
Preferred Soil moisture	Dry, Moist
The suitable soil type	Sandy, moist soils.

Where does the Barbed-wire cactus originate?

It is native to Florida and the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas in the United States, Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, and northern SouthAmerica.

Read more about succulents

We have an in-depth article on succulents, if you want to learn more about different types of succulents, and how to take care of them.

Succulent Houseplant and different types

We also have articles on other spesific succulents here:

• Jade plant
• Agave plant: A brief introduction
• Acanthocereus tetragonus
• Prickly Pear: what you should know
• Butterfly stonecrop (Sedum spectabile)
• Orostachys plant care guide
• Echinopsis pachanoi
• Dunce cap (Orostachys) plant care guide