Saguaro
Carnegiea gigantea
Gallery
Details & Attributes
| Plant Type(s) | Cactus, succulent, perennial |
| Native to Arizona | Yes! |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Sun | Full sun, partial shade |
| Pollinators | Bats, bees, birds |
| Has Spines | Yes |
| Size In relative feet, width by height |
40' × 20' |
| Freeze Tolerant | Yes |
| Flowering Season | May-June |
| Flower Color | White |
| Minimum Temperature Range | 15-20 °F |
| Leaf Description | Spines |
| Fruit | A juicy, sweet, wildlife delight, filled with tiny black seeds. |
| Longevity In years |
200 |
| View on SEINet | View SEINet Entry |
| Range Map | View SEINet Range Map |
| Elevation Range | 500-3500 ft. |
| Description | Perhaps the most iconic plant of the Sonoran Desert, any xeriscape in southern or central Arizona where extreme cold is not an issue should include this keystone species. Just be sure to give it plenty of space to grow vertically (Don't put it under the eaves of your house). Mature specimens serve as veritable apartment complexes for a variety of birds. The flowers and fruit are an important food source for wildlife, and have been central to the lives of indigenous groups that live within its range. This species prefers good drainage and minimal irrigation. Very small plants benefit from light shade and are often found in association with nurse plants (larger plants that case shade) in native habitats. |
