Ferocactus fordii

A compact barrel cactus, usually under 40 cm tall, from the foggy Pacific coast of Baja California. It flowers rose-pink to purple in spring. Grow it in full sun with mild, even temperatures and a dry, cool winter, under glass anywhere frost or prolonged wet is likely.

At home, aim for

Day IntermediateTargets in Plantistry

Night Close to the dayTargets in Plantistry

Humidity Dry airBand in Plantistry

Light Full sunDLI and PPFD in Plantistry

Expects a seasonal restGrows in the ground

Where it grows wild

Coastal sandy flats, hills and bluffs along the Pacific side of the Baja California peninsula, including Isla San Martín and Isla Natividad. Marine fog keeps the summers mild.

Mostly near sea level: recorded elevations are 4–1662 m with a median of 51 m.

Baja CaliforniaBaja California SurIsla San MartínIsla Natividad

🔒 Growing it like that

The wild conditions above, turned into targets for a shelf, a tent or a greenhouse. The full profile has:

✓ Day and night temperature targets, and the limits it tolerates

✓ Humidity band, and how to hold it

✓ Light as DLI and PPFD for a grow light

✓ Wet and dry seasons, and whether to rest it

✓ Substrate and airflow

✓ A step-by-step setup to grow it like the wild

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Profiles are drafts built from measured range and climate and from published sources; each section carries its own confidence in the app.