About

Echinopsis is a genus of cacti native to South America, sometimes known as hedgehog cactus, sea-urchin cactus or Easter lily cactus. As of November 2025, Plants of the World Online used a broad circumscription of the genus, resulting in about 80 accepted species, ranging from large and treelike types to small globose cacti. The name derives from echinos hedgehog or sea urchin, and opsis appearance, a reference to these plants' dense coverings of spines.

They are known for their big size, length of tube, and beauty of their flowers, borne upon generally small and dumpy stems.

How to grow it

The growing and resting seasons for Echinopsis are the same as for Echinocactus. Research by J. Smith (former Curator at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew) showed that species like the Chilean Echinopsis cristata and its Mexican relatives thrive if potted in light loam, with a little leaf mould and a few nodules of limestone. The limestone keeps the soil open; it is important that the soil should be well drained.

Where it grows

Echinopsis species are native to South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay). They thrive in desert grasslands, shrubland, and in situations where the soil is sandy or gravelly, such as the sides of hills in the crevices of rocks.

Other Echinopsis plants

Echinopsis albispinosa · Echinopsis aurea · Echinopsis breviflora · Echinopsis calochlora · Echinopsis chrysantha · Echinopsis clavata · Echinopsis densispina · Echinopsis haematantha · Bolivian Torch Cactus · Echinopsis marsoneri · Pink Easter Lily Cactus · Echinopsis rojasii