Sclerocactus johnsonii

A small, densely spined barrel cactus of the Mojave Desert, also known as Echinomastus johnsonii, with yellow or pink flowers in spring. It needs blazing light, a hot dry summer, a cold dry winter and a very mineral, fast-draining mix; on its own roots it rots easily, so many growers keep it grafted.

At home, aim for

Day Cool-growingTargets 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

Open desert scrub on rocky slopes, gravelly fans and limestone or volcanic ridges, fully exposed between creosote bush and other low shrubs.

Recorded at about 600–1,460 m (median about 1,090 m) in the Lake Mead and southern Nevada area.

NevadaArizonaCaliforniaUtahMexico Northwest

🔒 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.