If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will go its whole life believing it is stupid. So the saying goes. It means that different creatures have their own abilities and certain environments where they can thrive. Just like one person might excel in one situation and struggle very much somewhere else, so too do plants have their own preferences and strengths.
Put a plant in a situation it likes and it will thrive. That’s always a major part of my goal as a landscape designer. Visuals are important, and making sure the plant will be happy there too is just as important. This was a big part of the training to be a certified nursery professional- knowing the plants we use in Arizona horticulture and what conditions they need to do their best. It’s easy to put a plant somewhere in the yard because it looks good- but how will it look in five to ten years? Will it even still be alive? If you’re intentional about the placement, it can be a magnificent specimen by then.
The Argentine giant cactus is one of those plants that is phenomenal in its happy place, and underwhelming anywhere else. When it is thriving, its thick octopus arms drape and crawl along the ground in a way that few other cacti do. It becomes generously chunky. It’s immediately recognizable and catches the eye from a distance. Its vibrant green coloration complements many other desert landscape plants. And for a few glorious weeks of the year, the Argentine giant cactus explodes into bloom. Gigantic white (or pink) flowers cover the plant. It’s an incredible sight.
But many factors affect the Argentine giant. It’s not native to our tough desert so it needs a bit of help to be successful. Consider these elements when you’re deciding where to put an Argentine giant.
Javelinas
This cactus is a magnet for javelina!!!
Do not plant this in the front yard if you have issues with javelina. Don’t think, Oh maybe they will ignore it. They will chew up your cactus little by little until it is just a hunk of toughened scar tissue connected to some roots. It’s really unfortunate but this is the reality.
Putting a fence around it could work, but the fence would have to be there forever and that’s not such a pretty sight. But it could work, maybe. Until they knock the fence down and eat it in one night. Better to keep it out of range of our hungry little friends.
Javelinas really don’t care that this cactus is covered in spines. It’s quite succulent and delicious if you ask a javelina.
Sunlight
This is a partial sun cactus. This is not a full sun cactus. This is not a reflected sun cactus. If you have a place that gets shade after 2pm or 3pm, or a sunny space with dappled shade from a tree all day, you will have a happy Argentine giant.
It’s really important not to roast this cactus. I am emphasizing this point because I see it a lot. I think sometimes people assume that all cacti are pretty hardy out here. Fair enough, the cholla and saguaro do great in the sun all day. But this cactus really appreciates some shade to look its best. It can’t handle a strong southwestern exposure. It will look yellow and shriveled and probably not bloom too much. It is vulnerable to sunburn.
It does need some light though. At least a few hours a day. The north side of a wall is not a great place for two reasons, only one reason being the bad lighting. Let me explain the other reason I wouldn’t place the Argentine giant on the north side of a wall.
Directionality
This plant blooms in a particular direction. Most of the flowers will be pointed south! Sure if you have the right lighting somewhere else it’s fine to plant it there, but if you want to enjoy the flowers to the max you need to be able to view it from the south. It’s kind of a funny little fact about this cactus. Most cacti don’t have a particular bloom direction.
Water and soil
The Argentine giant cactus is native to south America, where it grows in rich soil and full sun. Arizona is a different environment. Here it’s sunnier, harsher, drier, rockier. That’s why we need to protect this cactus more in Arizona. It’s okay to give it richer soil like raised bed soil mixed with the native soil. Or to put it in a place with heavy clay that stays wet a little longer. In fact it’s better to make sure this plant gets richer soil than our hardy native cacti. It will grow in unamended soil too, but for best appearance it should be spoiled a bit.
It also loves to be soaked every now and again. I recommend watering it deeply by hand once a week during the warm season. The Argentine giant cactus, like most cacti, likes to dry out between waterings. But it likes water quite a bit. Don’t be afraid to give it plenty of water while it’s actively growing. Remember to water all around the root zone, and make sure the water is soaking into the ground and not just running off.
So where to plant this cactus? Keep it in a backyard or fenced area if there is any chance the javelina can access your yard. The Argentine giant cactus is very nice when planted on the north half of a sitting area- remember that it gets large and plant it a few feet back from the hardscape. Make sure it will get shade from a building or large trees. And when you plant it, check that the soil is on the richer side. Afterwards, water frequently during the summer and watch it thrive.
If you would like some new landscaping planted this winter, please contact me for a free chat and an official plant list made specifically for your yard. A virtual consult is no problem. If you’re in the east valley I can help you with the planting myself.
Paige Maloney | Arizona Landscape Designer 