Mexican Lime Cactus - Ferocactus Pilosus Twin-Head Specimen | CactusWarehouse
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Mexican Lime Cactus Ferocactus Pilosus (One of a Kind)

  • Hand-picked cactus icon Hand-picked, packed, and shipped on Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays
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$299.95

Plant facts

SunlightFull sun
WaterLow water. Only when soil is fully dry
USDA zones9,10,11, hardy to about 20F
Mature sizeThis specimen is a twin-headed clump about 16 in across and 12 in tall today. The species is a barrel that can slowly become columnar with great age, reaching several feet tall in habitat. Approximate, may vary.
Time to matureSlow-growing. A specimen of this size already represents many years of growth. Approximate, may vary.
PetsNon-toxic to pets, Non-toxic to cats, Non-toxic to dogs
LivesOutdoors
Ships asRooted plant, bare root, no pot or soil
What to expect in the box
You will receive the exact twin-headed Ferocactus pilosus pictured, shipped rooted and bare root without soil or a pot. After arrival: this is a heavy, seriously spined plant, so unbox with thick gloves or folded towels. Let it rest in a shaded, dry spot for 2-3 days, then plant in a sandy, fast-draining mix or a gravelly full-sun landscape spot. Wait about a week before the first watering so the roots can settle, then begin a normal soak and dry routine. The fruit on the crown may ripen, dry, or drop in transit. That is normal and does not harm the plant.

Cacti can look slightly dull after a few days in a dark box. Color returns within a week or two of bright light. If your area drops below 40F, we recommend adding a heat pack to your order, as one is not automatically included.

This is the exact plant you will receive. A one of a kind, twin-headed Ferocactus pilosus (Mexican Lime Cactus, also called the Mexican Fire Barrel), photographed with fruit on the crown. The pair of deeply ribbed, deep-green barrels spans roughly 16 inches across and stands about 12 inches tall, wrapped in the fiery red-pink spines this species is famous for.

We grew this plant ourselves from seed, and twin-headed specimens of this size are genuinely hard to find. Mature plants crown with rings of small red-orange flowers followed by the yellow, lime-like fruit you can see in the photos, which is where the common name comes from.

It is an easy landscape or container specimen for warm climates. Full sun, fast-draining soil, and deep but infrequent water are all it needs.

  • Light: Full sun
  • Water: Low. Soak and dry, minimal in winter
  • Hardiness: USDA zones 9 to 11
  • Growth: Slow-growing barrel, eventually columnar with great age

Please note: This is a rooted, bare-root plant shipped without soil or a pot. You will receive the exact plant pictured.

Cold Weather Warning

If your area drops below 40°F during the colder months, we highly recommend adding a heat pack to your order, as we don’t automatically include one. This helps keep your plants safe in transit. 🌡️❄️

👉 [Buy Heat Packs Here]

Product Details

Cactus Care

The Mexican Fire Barrel is a tough desert native. Give it maximum sun and minimal water and it will reward you with intense spine color.

  • Light: Full sun. Strong light keeps the red spines vivid and the body compact.
  • Water: Soak and dry. Water deeply, then wait until the soil is completely dry. Keep nearly dry in winter.
  • Soil: Sandy, fast-draining cactus mix or a gravelly landscape spot with excellent drainage.
  • Temperature: Hardy in USDA zones 9-11 and takes brief light frost when dry. Protect from hard freezes.
  • Feeding: A diluted cactus fertilizer once or twice in the growing season is plenty.

Shipping & Guarantee

At Cactus Warehouse, we take pride in shipping the healthiest, hand-selected cacti straight from our nursery in Fallbrook, CA. All our cacti are hardgrown and carefully checked to ensure you get the best.

  • Schedule: Orders ship on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
  • Delivery Time: Most orders arrive within 3–5 business days once shipped.
  • Rates: Free shipping on orders $99+ (Continental US). Orders under $99 ship for a flat $9.95.
  • Carriers: We ship via UPS and USPS with full tracking

  • Safe Packaging: Each cactus is wrapped in protective kraft paper to reduce movement. During cold weather, you have the option to add heat packs to keep your plants safe.
  • Care Instructions: Every package includes simple, step-by-step care instructions so you know exactly what to do after arrival.
  • 30-Day Happiness Guarantee: If your cactus doesn’t arrive healthy and happy, we’ll make it right. Email us at info@cactuswarehouse.com and we’ll take care of you.

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Plants Picked With Love

Hi, we're Lisa and Takashi! We started Cactus Warehouse because we care about creating a great experience for people like you.

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