Golden Rat Tail (Cleistocactus winteri): A Trailing Cactus with Golden Spines and Orange Flowers

Golden Rat Tail is a pendulous, branching cactus with slender, cylindrical stems densely covered in soft, golden-yellow spines that give it a fuzzy, hair-like appearance. The stems can trail 3–6 feet, making it ideal for hanging baskets. In spring and summer, it produces abundant, tubular, orange to salmon-pink flowers along the stems. Native to Bolivia, it’s a showy, easy-to-grow trailing cactus.

Taxonomic Profile

Care

Bright light to full sun. Well-drained cactus mix. Water regularly in summer; keep drier in winter. Hardy to 25°F (-4°C) if dry. Perfect for hanging baskets, wall pots, or trailing over rocks. Propagate from stem cuttings.