Cylindropuntia x viridiflora, Santa Fe Cholla, is thought to be a naturally occuring hybrid between Cylindropuntia imbricata and Cylindropuntia whipplei. It is less stout than Cylindopuntia imbricata with thin pencil-like cylindrical cladodes that thicken with age. It is very fast-growing and will quickly form a tree-like cholla if given a free-draining substrate and plenty of sun. It is found in a relatively small geographical area around Santa Fe in New Mexico.

The species name, Cylindropuntia x viridiflora (green-flowered) is something of a misnoner as - although variable - it usually has a peach-coloured or orange flower.

Cylindropuntia x viridiflora is one of the hardiest of all the Chollas and providing it has good drainage will take temperatures down to at least -20C without protection and perhaps as much as -25C with protection. These are temperatures we are unlikely to have in the UK. As always the secret is the substrate: it must be a gritty very free-draining mix with little organic matter and ideally lots of limestone. A raised bed or a gradient helps.

Recommended for any hardy cactus enthusiast. It also makes an ideal - though prickly - houseplant while still small.