Echinopsis aurea aka Golden Easter Lily Cactus

Echinopsis aurea is a small cactus from northern Argentina. Its common name is golden Easter lily cactus. It belongs to the cactus family, Cactaceae. It grows in desert or dry shrubland. Gardeners may also find it named Lobivia aurea. Plants can grow alone or form clumps of offsets. RHS gives five to ten years to reach full size.

The dark green stems start round and may become longer. Individual stems reach about 0.5 feet [0.15 metres] tall. RHS lists overall height and spread as 0.3–1.6 feet [0.1–0.5 metres]. Deep grooves divide each stem into 14 or 15 ribs. Young areoles are brown and bear groups of spines. Eight to ten short radial spines point outwards. The thicker central spines are brown to black, with yellow tips. Some central spines have a flat shape.

Large, trumpet-shaped flowers open in late spring. Further blooms may follow in summer. Each flower can reach about 0.33 feet [0.10 metres] long. Yellow is the usual colour, with a brighter yellow centre. The species account also records white, pink and red flowers. Long, soft hairs cover buds along the stem's sides. The slender flower tube bends a little as it grows. Pale green scales and dark and white down cover it.

Give this cactus full sun and soil that drains well. RHS accepts sandy or loamy soil with acid to neutral pH. A cactus compost suits pot culture. Water moderately from mid-spring through early autumn. Keep the compost dry during the rest of the year. Feed monthly during growth with a half-strength balanced liquid fertiliser. The plant resists drought, but too much water can cause rot. Use a shallow pot with drainage and room for roots. Repot when it outgrows its pot, or every other year. RHS rates it H2, so protect it from freezing. LLIFLE reports brief frost tolerance when dry, but this varies with growing conditions.

Its small size suits pots, houseplant collections and sheltered patios. A greenhouse or conservatory also provides a place to grow it. The flowers give colour above the ribbed, spiny stems. RHS reports few disease problems under suitable conditions. Watch for mealybugs and scale insects. The plant needs no pruning. Sow seeds in spring at 21°C to raise new plants. Offsets can be split off in spring or summer.