Cleistocactus winteri
Native range: Uruguay and southern Brazil
Known names: Golden Rat Tail Cactus
Hardiness: USDA Zone 9 (20-30°F) to 11, protect from prolonged frost and freezing temperatures.
Mature Size: 3'-4' long trailing stems, 1"-2" wide (each stem, can form much larger colonies) (moderate grower, typically adding 6"-12" per year)
Light: Half day direct sun, full sun
Water: Allow soil to dry completely between waterings; drought tolerant.
Soil: Extremely well-draining, gritty cactus and succulent mix.
Dormancy Period: Winter
Pet-Safe: No
Plant Size: Grown in 2.5" pot, shipped bare root.
 
Cleistocactus winteri is a trailing, cascading plant featuring long, slender cylindrical stems densely covered in fine, golden-yellow spines. It produces clusters of bright, narrow, tubular coral/orange-pink flowers that bloom repeatedly along the stems throughout the spring and summer months. In cultivation, it requires a site with bright direct sunlight and an extremely well-draining, gritty succulent soil, making it well-suited for hanging baskets or elevated container specimens due to its established drought tolerance. Its species name winteri honors Hilde Winter, a prominent German nurseryman and plant collector who introduced the species from South America.