Purple Pincushion, Common Ball Cactus, Beehive Cactus
Escobariavivipara

Family: Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)
Genus: Escobaria (es-koh-BAR-ree-uh)
Species: vivipara (vy-VIP-ar-uh)

Synonym:Escobaria vivipara var. vivipara

Synonym:Coryphantha oklahomensis

Synonym:Mammillaria vivipara

Synonym:Echinocactus viviparus

Synonym:Coryphantha vivipara

Category

Cactus and Succulents

Water Requirements

Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Sun Exposure

Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade

Foliage

Unknown

Foliage Color

Unknown

Height

under 6 in. (15 cm)

Spacing

6-9 in. (15-22 cm)

Hardiness

USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)

Where to Grow

Can be grown as an annual

Danger

Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling

Bloom Color

Magenta (pink-purple)
Fuchsia (red-purple)

Bloom Characteristics

Unknown

Bloom Size

Unknown

Bloom Time

Late Spring/Early Summer

Other details

Unknown

Soil pH requirements

6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)

Patent Information

Non-patented

Propagation Methods

From woody stem cuttings
Allow cut surface to callous over before planting
From seed; direct sow after last frost

Seed Collecting

Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds
Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored