Old Man of the AndesThe Rarest Fuzzy Columnar Cactus for Phoenix Collector Gardens Old Man of the Andes (Oreocereus celsianus) is one of the most striking and unusual cacti you can grow in the Phoenix Valley. Native to the high Andes mountains of South America, this slow growing columnar cactus is covered in dense white woolly hair that protects it from UV radiation, giving it an otherworldly, frosted appearance unlike any other desert plant. Hidden beneath the wool are

The monsoon (Jul to Sep) often triggers a fresh flush of flowers

complementing greenery and other natural elements with its understated elegance

The tubular orange flowers are perfectly designed for hummingbird feeding and bloom from summer through early fall

Month 1–2: Every 5–7 days

Golden-Tooth Aloe Plant Details

Fishhook Barrel — Another Arizona native with dramatic hooked spines and yellow blooms

Yes — Arizona Cypress is considered non-toxic to dogs and cats

Argentine King Mesquite needs very little supplemental water and can often thrive on Phoenix's natural rainfall alone in cooler months

At just 1–2 feet

How fast does Yaupon Holly grow in Phoenix

What's the difference between Lisbon and Eureka Lemon

Give it room to branch and break through any caliche layer so water never pools at the roots