Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Spiral Totem Pole
Spiral Totem Pole is the rare spiral form of the totem pole cactus, with green stems whose ribs twist around each column. It carries few spine spots and no real spines, and older plants can form several twisting trunks up to about 8 feet tall. It is a slow, collector-grade specimen for a pot, entry or pool-side planting. Keep it in full sun with excellent drainage and very little water.
Best for: a rare specimen in a large pot or entry, spineless spots near pools, and collections of unusual cacti.
The spiral form is rare and sought after. Its green stems carry ribs that twist around each column and have few spine spots.
It grows slowly and can form several twisting trunks, eventually up to about 8 feet tall, with stems up to 6 inches thick.
Like other totem poles it has no spines to speak of, so it can sit near pools, entries and walkways.
Protect the growing tips on frost nights. It needs excellent drainage to avoid rot, so plant it in gravelly soil or cactus mix.
Wait about a week after planting before the first water. Then water every other week while nights stay above 60°F. In cooler weather, water only after two to four weeks without rain.
Water deeply in the warm months only when the soil is dry, and give little or none in winter. Plants in pots dry out faster and need water more often than plants in the ground.
Plant it with the same side facing the sun as in the nursery. Cover a new plant with light shade cloth its first summer, then remove it.
Below about 20 to 25°F, frost can scar the stem tips. Cover the tips with foam cups or frost cloth that reaches the ground, not plastic. Take covers off in the morning.
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 makes the spiral totem pole different?
Its ribs spiral around each stem, and it has fewer knobs and spine spots than the regular totem pole. It is rare in the trade.
Does it have spines?
It has no real spines. Totem pole forms are smooth, so it is easy to place near people and pools.
How big does it get?
It grows slowly to about 8 feet tall, with several twisting trunks and stems up to about 6 inches thick. Give it room to reach that height over many years.
Does it flower?
It rarely flowers, if ever. The plant is sterile, so new plants come from cuttings.
How often should I water it?
Water it very little once it is rooted. Let the soil dry fully between waterings, and plant it in fast-draining soil to avoid rot.
Is it frost hardy?
It takes about 20 to 25°F if the growing tips are protected. Cap the tips with foam cups or frost cloth on cold nights.
Does it need full sun?
Yes. Totem pole cactus wants full sun and handles reflected heat. Shade a new plant lightly its first summer.
Can I grow it in a pot?
Yes. Totem pole cactus grows well in a large container. Use a pot with good drainage and a cactus mix.
Is spiral totem pole messy?
No. It drops almost no litter, so it is easy to keep beside a pool or patio.
Spiral Totem Pole for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Spiral Totem Pole is a rare spiral form of the spineless totem pole cactus, prized by collectors. Its ribs twist around each stem. Here is what Valley homeowners ask about it.
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Spiral totem pole cactus
This rare form of the totem pole cactus has ribs that twist around each stem. It is slow and sought after by collectors.
Spiral totem pole vs regular totem pole
The regular form is covered in knobs. The spiral form has spiraling ribs with fewer knobs and spine spots.
How big spiral totem pole gets
It can reach about 8 feet tall over many years, with several twisting trunks.
Watering spiral totem pole
Water sparingly once rooted and always let the soil dry. Plant it in soil that drains very fast, because wet soil rots the roots.
Frost care for spiral totem pole
It takes about 20 to 25°F with the growing tips covered. Use foam cups or frost cloth on cold nights.
Spineless cactus near pools
Totem pole forms have no real spines, so they are used near pools and entries. Give it a spot in full sun.
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