Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Pachycereus marginatus (Organ pipe cactus)
1 hour care
per year
per year
7m
Max height
Max height
2m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Pachycereus marginatus
Other names
Marginatocereus marginatus, Stenocereus marginatus, Mexican fence post cactus, Fence post cactus, Organo, Central Mexico pipe organ, Organ pipe cactus
Genus
Pachycereus Pachycereus
Species
P. marginatus - P. marginatus is a tender, erect, rarely branched, tree-like, perennial cactus with ribbed, spiny, blue- or dark green stems and tubular to bell-shaped, white, greenish-white, or pink flowers in summer. Spines tend to fall off as the plant ages.
Pachycereus marginatus is: Evergreen
Habit
Erect, Spiky
Toxicity
Plant has spines; use extreme caution when handling.
Flower
Greenish-white, Pink, White in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Mealybugs Mealybugs
Diseases
Generally disease-free
General care
Propagation
Sow seed at 21C (70F) in spring. Root stem cuttings in spring or summer.
Propagation methods
Seed, Stem segments
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Pachycereus marginatus (Organ pipe cactus) will reach a height of 7m and a spread of 2m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Conservatory, Containers, Drought Tolerant, Gravel, Indoor, Rock
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, sharply drained soil in sun. Under glass, grow in cactus compost in full light. In spring and summer, water moderately & feed a low nitrogen fertiliser every 5 weeks.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Pachycereus marginatus
Other names
Marginatocereus marginatus, Stenocereus marginatus, Mexican fence post cactus, Fence post cactus, Organo, Central Mexico pipe organ, Organ pipe cactus
Genus
Pachycereus Pachycereus
Species
P. marginatus - P. marginatus is a tender, erect, rarely branched, tree-like, perennial cactus with ribbed, spiny, blue- or dark green stems and tubular to bell-shaped, white, greenish-white, or pink flowers in summer. Spines tend to fall off as the plant ages.
Native to
Mexico
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Erect, Spiky
Toxicity
Plant has spines; use extreme caution when handling.
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
Greenish-white, Pink, White in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Diseases
Generally disease-free
General care
Propagation
Sow seed at 21C (70F) in spring. Root stem cuttings in spring or summer.
Propagation methods
Seed, Stem segments
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Pachycereus marginatus (Organ pipe cactus) will reach a height of 7m and a spread of 2m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Conservatory, Containers, Drought Tolerant, Gravel, Indoor, Rock
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, sharply drained soil in sun. Under glass, grow in cactus compost in full light. In spring and summer, water moderately & feed a low nitrogen fertiliser every 5 weeks.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login