Height of the Mojave Cactus

Appearance and Size

• The Mojave cactus averages between 6 and 12 inches in height. A single plant can spread to a maximum width of about 30 inches. The plant produces short, vertical, spiny stems as it spreads, and the largest plants can have hundreds of these stems. The cactus is most desirable for its cup-shaped, showy flowers. The plant blooms from April to June, and the flowers -- which are are red with orange or yellow centers -- last about four days. Each individual bloom averages 2 to 3 inches in diameter.

Climate and Distribution

• The Mojave cactus grows wild in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico, according to the U.S. Forest Service, and in parts of California. It grows in elevations as high as 7,000 feet above sea level, and thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 10. In the wild, the cactus is often found growing along rocky outcrops and in gravelly plains.

Care and Culture

• Dry conditions are best for the Mojave cactus, as is rocky soil. Place this cactus in full sunlight if you live in USDA zones 7 or 8, and in partial shade if you live in USDA zones 9 or 10. Although it does need a bit of water during the blooming season, the plant will grow best in a gravelly area that drains well.

Flowering

• The Mojave cactus is one of the few cacti that rely on pollination from hummingbirds. The broad, open flowers feature bright pink stamens that surround the nectar chamber. After the flowers fade, the plant produces a juicy, red, edible fruit.