Silver Arrows Cactus
Cleistocactus strausii · Native to Bolivia & Argentina
A slender, columnar cactus densely cloaked in fine white spines that give it a shimmering, silvery sheen. Upright, architectural, and very low-maintenance.
Available in 4½ inchCare
Light
Thrives in bright, direct sunlight, which enhances its distinctive silvery spines and keeps growth compact.
Water
Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. It’s very drought-tolerant and dislikes sitting in moisture.
Soil & Feeding
Use a well-draining cactus soil, and fertilize once a month during the growing season.
Quick Tip
Bright light is the key to that silver shimmer — in low light the spines look duller and the stem stretches.
Details
It stands out with its columnar shape and dense, silver-white spines that wrap the stem in a soft, shimmering coat over deep green.
- ✅ Eye-catching silver spines
- ✅ Architectural, upright growth
- ✅ Very low maintenance
Size
Available in a 4½ inch pot — a great starter size that’s easy to place on a windowsill, desk, or shelf, and simple to repot as it grows.
Good to Know
⚠️ Spiny and toxic if ingested — handle with care and keep away from pets and children.
Plant Bio
Cleistocactus strausii · also called Silver Torch
The Silver Arrows Cactus — better known to many growers as the Silver Torch — comes from the high mountain regions of Bolivia and northern Argentina, where it grows on sunny, well-drained slopes.
Its slim, upright stems are packed with fine, needle-like white spines that almost completely cover the green body, giving the whole plant a soft, silvery shimmer in bright light. Over time it clusters from the base into a striking stand of silver columns.
On mature specimens it can grow several feet tall. One of its quirks is its flowers: deep red, tubular blooms that emerge along the sides of the stem and barely open — the trait behind its botanical name, Cleistocactus, meaning “closed cactus.”
Like other desert and mountain cacti, it’s built for strong sun and dry soil. Give it the brightest spot you have, water sparingly, and keep it on the dry side through winter.
How is it different from other columnar cacti?
- Its dense white spines give it a silvery sheen, unlike the bare green or sparsely spined columns of many cacti.
- It clusters into multiple slim stems rather than forming one thick trunk.
- Its red tubular flowers barely open — an unusual trait among column cacti.
Note: The fine spines are sharp and the plant may cause discomfort if ingested. Handle with care and keep out of reach of pets and children. Grown for ornamental purposes and not intended for consumption.