How often should I water it?

Water only when the soil has dried out completely.

Can I grow it indoors?

Yes, but it requires a very sunny south facing window to thrive.

Plant guide

Eve's Pin Cactus.

Austrocylindropuntia subulata

Pronounced aw-stro-sy-lin-dro-pun-she-uh sub-yoo-LAY-tuh

Also known as Devil's Rope, Eve's Needle Cactus, Eve's Pin, long-spine cactus

Eve's Needle Cactus — Photo by zebedeugalinha (CC BY) via iNaturalist

Eve's Pin Cactus is a striking, fast growing succulent that features long, cylindrical stems covered in sharp spines. It's a hardy plant that thrives in sunny spots and adds a unique architectural look to any collection. You'll love how easy it is to keep happy as long as it gets plenty of light.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Succulent
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 14 to 21 days
Mature size: 10 to 13 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Give this cactus as much direct sunlight as you can to keep it from stretching out. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. Watch for soft or mushy stems, which usually mean the plant is getting too much water.

Watering: Water only when the soil is completely dry throughout the pot.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced cactus fertilizer once a month during the active growing season.
Pruning: Prune only to remove dead growth or to control the size of the plant using thick gloves.
Repotting: Repot when the plant becomes top heavy or clearly outgrows its current container.
Soil: Well draining cactus and succulent mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -7 to 40°C
Humidity: 10 to 40%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
The plant becomes top heavy and unstable.
Soil has broken down and no longer drains well.

Safety

People: The plant is not toxic if ingested, but the sharp spines and glochids cause significant mechanical injury.
Pets: This plant is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, though its sharp spines can cause physical injury.
Children: Keep this plant well out of reach of children because the spines are extremely sharp and the glochids are difficult to remove from skin.
Contact allergens: The glochids are tiny, barbed hairs that easily penetrate skin and cause severe irritation.
Airborne allergens: There is no notable respiratory risk from this plant.
Edibility: The fruit is technically edible but covered in tiny, irritating glochids that make consumption dangerous without careful preparation.

How to identify it

Long cylindrical green stems
Sharp spines along stem ridges
Small fleshy leaves on new growth
Upright branching growth habit

Height: 1 to 4m
Spread: 0.5 to 1.5m
Leaves: green, evergreen
Flowers: red, pink, 5 to 8cm
Fruit: yellow, green, Late summer

Common problems

Mealybugs — Small white cottony insects that suck sap from the stems.
Root rot — Fungal decay caused by overly wet soil or poor drainage.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant dry during the winter months to prevent rot. If temperatures drop below freezing, move it to a sheltered, frost free location.
In containers: It grows well in containers, provided you use a well draining cactus mix and a pot with large drainage holes.

Stem Cuttings

1. Cut a healthy stem segment using clean, sharp shears.
2. Let the cut end callous over in a dry, shaded spot for one week.
3. Insert the calloused end into dry, gritty cactus soil.
4. Wait two weeks before giving the cutting its first light watering.

Group this cactus with other drought tolerant plants that do not require frequent soil disturbance.

Grows well with

Agave — They share similar requirements for sun and low water.
Sedum — These low growing succulents provide a nice textural contrast.

Similar species

Cylindropuntia — They share a similar cylindrical stem structure.

Science

Family: Cactaceae
Genus: Austrocylindropuntia
Order: Caryophyllales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: High altitude regions of the Andes in Peru.
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered or protected.

It survives in arid, high altitude environments by storing water in its thick, fleshy stems.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental specimen, xeriscaping, security hedge

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water it?: Water only when the soil has dried out completely.
Can I grow it indoors?: Yes, but it requires a very sunny south facing window to thrive.

Where the name comes from

The name Austrocylindropuntia means southern cylindrical Opuntia, reflecting its geographic origin and stem shape.

Good to know

It is commonly known as the Eve's Needle cactus.
The scientific name subulata refers to the awl shaped leaves.
It can grow quite tall in its native habitat.
It is a very fast grower compared to many other cacti.

Also in

Is your eve's pin cactus looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.