Ferocactus gracilis, Fire Barrel Cactus is a tall slender barrel cactus from the Mexican states of Baja California and Baja California Sur where it grows in extremes of dry arid conditions experiencing little rainfall. It is easily identified by its fiery red slightly curving spines which are deepest red at the growing apex and slowly turn a chalky brown as they age.

As can be deduced from the geographic range where Ferocactus gracilis is endemic, it is by no means the hardiest representative of its genus but it will tolerate temperatures down to around -5C if kept dry throughout the winter. Can be over-wintered in a cool glasshouse under fleece or indoors as a houseplant. In the summer months it likes heat and full sun and is best out in the sunniest part of the garden where it can be regularly watered throughout the growing season.