Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Buckhorn Cholla
Buckhorn Cholla is a widespread native cholla of the Arizona desert, a branching shrub with antler-like arms. From about April into June it opens large flowers, about 3 inches across, in yellow, orange, red, pink or purple. Its stems can blush purple in winter. It usually grows 3 to 6 feet tall and needs very little water once rooted.
Best for: native desert yards and open areas away from paths, where its big spring flowers and branching shape can be seen from a distance.
From about April into June it opens flowers about 3 inches across, in yellow, orange, red, pink, purple or yellow-green. The flower color varies from plant to plant.
Its branches fork like antlers from the ground or a short trunk. It usually grows 3 to 6 feet tall, sometimes much taller with age.
Bees and other pollinators feed at the flowers, and desert birds use chollas for nesting and roosting.
Its dense spines and spiny fruit grip skin and clothing. Keep it away from walkways, pools and play areas. Soil that stays wet rots the roots.
- Closer planting4 ft apart, center to center
- Wider planting6 ft apart, center to center
Wait about a week after planting before the first water. Then water every other week while nights stay above 60°F. Once rooted, water about once a month in a summer with little rain, and skip it when rain comes. In winter, water only if rain does not come, and lightly.
Work around it with long tongs and thick leather gloves. Its dry, spiny fruit drops after a few months, so pick it up with tongs. Slide a comb under any joint that sticks to you.
It is hardy to about 10°F. On a hard freeze night, cover young plants with frost cloth or a sheet that reaches the ground, not plastic. Take it off in the morning.
Plant it with the side that faced the sun still facing south. A newly planted cactus can sunburn its first summer, so light shade cloth helps until fall.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
What color are buckhorn cholla flowers?
The color varies by plant, from yellow, orange and red to pink, purple or yellow-green, with flowers about 3 inches across. They open from about April into June in the Valley.
How big does it get?
It usually grows 3 to 6 feet tall and can reach 12 to 13 feet with age. Give it open space away from paths.
Why are the stems purple?
Buckhorn stems can blush red or purple, especially in winter. It is normal, so no treatment is needed.
Are the flower buds edible?
Yes. The unopened buds were harvested in spring, the spines removed, and cooked by the Tohono O'odham and other Native Americans. Wear thick gloves and use tongs if you pick them.
Where should I plant it?
Plant it in full sun, away from walkways, patios, pools and play areas, where people and pets will not brush against it.
How do I get spines or a joint out of skin?
Slide a comb between the joint and the skin and flick it away. Pull leftover spines with tweezers. Take a pet to the vet for a spine in the eye.
How often should I water it?
Water a new plant about every 2 weeks through its first summer. Once rooted, water about once a month in a dry summer and keep it dry in winter.
How cold can it take?
It is hardy to about 10°F. Cover a young plant with frost cloth on a hard freeze night.
Buckhorn vs staghorn cholla: how to tell them apart?
The easiest way is to check the fruit. Buckhorn fruit is dry, spiny and drops after a few months. Staghorn fruit is fleshy, nearly spineless and stays on for a year or more.
Do birds nest in buckhorn cholla?
Yes. Birds nest in it and use it for shelter, and pollinators visit the spring flowers.
Buckhorn Cholla for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Buckhorn Cholla is a native cholla found across much of Arizona, grown for its large, colorful spring flowers and antler-like branches. Below is what to expect in a Valley yard, including size, flowers, placement, handling, water and cold.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
What is buckhorn cholla?
It is one of the most widespread native chollas of Arizona, a branching shrub with antler-like arms and large spring flowers.
Buckhorn cholla flower colors
Flowers about 3 inches across open from about April into June. They come in yellow, orange, red, pink, purple or yellow-green, depending on the plant.
How big does buckhorn cholla get?
Plan for about 3 to 6 feet tall, though old plants can reach 12 to 13 feet. Give it open space away from paths.
Buckhorn vs staghorn cholla
Buckhorn fruit is dry, spiny and falls after a few months. Staghorn fruit is fleshy, nearly spineless and stays on the plant for over a year.
How often do you water buckhorn cholla in Phoenix?
Water a new plant about every 2 weeks through its first summer. Once rooted, water about once a month in a dry summer and keep it dry in winter.
Where to plant buckhorn cholla
Plant it in full sun, away from walkways, pools and play areas. Its spines and spiny fruit grip skin and clothing.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.