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Native Plant Society of Texas

Lace Cactus

Echinocereus reichenbachii

Other common name(s):

Lace Hedgehog Cactus, Lace Hedgehog, Purple Candle

Family:

Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Central Great Plains, Chihuahuan Deserts, Cross Timbers, Edwards Plateau, Southern Texas Plains, Southwestern Tablelands, Texas Blackland Prairies
Broken Red Plains, Limestone Plains, Red Prairie
Stockton Plateau
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Arid Llano Estacado, Canadian/Cimarron High Plains, Llano Estacado, Rolling Sand Plains, Shinnery Sands
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub
Canadian/Cimarron Breaks, Caprock Canyons Badlands Breaks, Flat Tablelands and Valleys, Semiarid Canadian Breaks
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Cactus & Succulent

Height

.25
to
.75
ft.

Spread

.5
to
3
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Clay, Gravelly, Rocky, Granitic, Caliche, Well Drained, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Very Low, Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Pink

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Fruit, Seeds, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Small Mammals, Bees

Maintenance

Slow growing. Once established it requires minimal watering making it an ideal plant for xeriscapes. The flowers are very showy, fragrant, produced in profusion, opening during the day, always closing at night. Allow to dry out complete between waterings. Reduce watering in the winter dormant season to prevent root rot. Native habitat: Chihuahuan Desert, desert scrub, grasslands, oak-juniper woodland.

Comments

Blooms May-June. Lace Cactus starts out as a sphere and gradually evolves its cylindrical form as it matures. It varies from unbranched to sometimes 12-branched with 10-20 narrow ribs. Stems are erect, cylindrical and cover in spines flattened to the stem, giving it a lacey appearance. The flowers are brilliant purple or rose-pink, 2-5 inches tall and almost as wide. The fruit is a green berry, produced 1.5-2.5 months after flowering
Previous Scientific Name(s): Echinocereus reichenbachii var. albertii, Echinocereus reichenbachii var. fitchii, Echinocereus melanocentrus, Echinocereus albispinus, Echinocereus baileyi, Echinocereus caespitosus, Echinocereus fitchii, Echinocereus perbellus, Echinocereus baileyi var. albispinus, Echinocereus caespitosus var. minor, Echinocereus caespitosus var. perbellus, Echinocereus caespitosus var. purpureus, Echinocereus reichenbachii var. albispinus, Echinocereus purpureus, Echinocereus reichenbachii ssp. baileyi, Echinocereus reichenbachii ssp. armatus, Echinocereus reichenbachii ssp. burrensis, Echinocereus reichenbachii ssp. fitchii, Echinocereus reichenbachii ssp. perbellus, Echinocereus reichenbachii ssp. reichenbachii, Cereus pectinatus var. armatus

References

1) https://itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=19814#null, 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ECRE 3) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Echinocereus+reichenbachii&formsubmit=Search+Terms 4) https://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=6619&locationType=County&mapType=Normal 5) https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.134871/Echinocereus_reichenbachii#:~:text=Distribution,Stewardship%20Overview: 6) https://www.gardenia.net/plant/echinocereus-reichenbachii-lace-cactus-grow-care-guide#:~:text=Once%20established%2C%20it%20requires%20minimal,low%2Dwater%2Duse%20gardens. 7) https://www.llifle.com/Encyclopedia/CACTI/Family/Cactaceae/7575/Echinocereus_reichenbachii#:~:text=Habitat%20and%20Ecology:%20The%20species,and%20is%20common%20in%20trade.

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Scarification Use fine-grain sandpaper or a file to gently abrade the seeds, which possess a tough outer layer. Scarification boosts water absorption and aids the germination process. This mild rubbing only removes a portion of the seed coat, improving germination rates without harming the seed embryo. Plant in well-draining cactus mix soil to ensure good air circulation and proper water runoff. This soil blend prevents water accumulation around the roots. Containers with drainage holes are essential to prevent excessive moisture. Use plastic bags or a humidity dome to cover seed trays to maintain a high moisture environment, which is crucial for the germination of Lace Hedgehog Cactus seeds. Wait for the fruit to mature and starting to dry and shrivel; this is when seeds are ripe for the picking. Use a sharp, sterile knife or scalpel to precisely detach seed pods from the hedgehog cactus without harming plant tissue. A keen blade ensures a clean cut, lessening plant stress and enhancing recovery and regrowth periods. 1) https://www.forwardplant.com/care/propagate/echinocereus-reichenbachii/ 2) https://greg.app/propagate-lace-hedgehog-cactus/ 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ECRE
Stem Cutting Successfully rooting cuttings from this cactus can be challenging, but stem cuttings provide faster results and this method maintains the parent plant's characteristics. Allow the cut end to callous over for several days to a week to prevent rot. This step is crucial for giving your cutting the ability to fend off root rot and infection. Then plant in a well-draining, barely moist potting mix and maintain a warm and dry environment during the rooting process. Excessive watering can lead to rot. Roots develop within a month, after which you can begin regular watering. Seeing new growth from the cutting indicates that it has successfully rooted and is growing. Take cuttings from mature stems during the growing season (spring or early summer). Look for stems that are healthy and have a semi-hardwood consistency. About 4-6 inches in length is ideal, with several leaf nodes — the spots where roots will emerge. Use sharp, sterilized scissors or pruners to remove an offset stem with a clean, angled cut at the base just below a node. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-echinocereus-reichenbachii/ 2) https://greg.app/propagate-lace-hedgehog-cactus/ 43 https://plantiary.com/plant/echinocereus-reichenbachii_636.html
Clump Division Allow the cut ends of both the mother plant and the offsets to callous over for a few days before planting them in a well-draining potting mix. Division works well for established clumps. This works best in spring as growth resumes. Carefully separate offsets (pups) from the mother plant with roots attached using a sharp, sterilized knife or blade. Damage to the mother plant or the offsets can occur if done improperly. Offsets should be of sufficient size before separation to ensure viability. Ignore the runts; bigger offsets mean a head start. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-echinocereus-reichenbachii/ 2) https://greg.app/propagate-lace-hedgehog-cactus/
Stem Grafting Use grafting tape to hold the pair in place, like a botanical bandage. Keep them warm and dry and soon, they'll grow together as one. Patience is key; it's a slow dance, not a quickstep. Choose a rootstock that's vigorous and disease-resistant, ensuring it's a good fit for your scion. (the upper part of the combined plant). Make sure the scion and rootstock are the same diameter for a seamless connection. The flat graft is ideal for cacti. Make a clean cut with a sharp sterile knife to slice the rootstock smoothly. https://greg.app/propagate-lace-hedgehog-cactus/

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason