Bloomipedia
Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea)
Photo: CK2AZ via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Saguaro

Carnegiea gigantea

Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) is a tree in the Cactaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly April–June across the U.S.

★ Official state flower of Arizona (1931)Native to Arizona

Saguaro is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Arizona it's most often seen in bloom in April–June.

2states where USDA records it
54,819AZ sightings*
54,959U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Arizona

🏅
Arizona's official state flower since 1931. Visit the Arizona page → Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 41-855 The law calls it the flower of Cereus giganteus, an older name for the saguaro. Saguaros are protected under the Arizona Native Plant Law, and removing one needs a permit.

Quick look

The saguaro is a tree-like cactus species in the monotypic genus Carnegiea that can grow to be over 12 meters tall. It is native to the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, the Mexican state of Sonora, and the Whipple Mountains and Imperial County areas of California. Saguaro typically grow at elevations ranging from sea level to 4,500 feet (1,400 m), although they may be found at up to 5,000 feet (1,500 m).

  • It belongs to the Cactaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as a tree with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 2 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Arizona. NatureServe
  • In Arizona, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–June. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as orange. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as early spring. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 9 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 54,819 research-grade sightings of it in Arizona, ranking #1 among the 132 flowers on our Arizona list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In Arizona, most flowering sightings come in April–June.

Flowering records by month in Arizona (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (1,223 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Arizona
Salvage restricted On Arizona Native Plant Law protected plants (Ariz. Admin. Code R3-3 Art. 11, App. A, eff. Feb. 2, 2025): salvage restricted (permit needed to remove). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Arizona. AAC R3-3 App. A
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: CA (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Please leave it where it grows

Please don't pick or dig this flower: it's on Arizona's rare plant list (salvage restricted). AAC R3-3 App. A

Can you eat it?

For peopleToxic (slight, per USDA)

USDA PLANTS rates its toxicity as “slight.” (USDA's rating covers people and livestock and doesn't say which parts.) NC State Extension has no page for it. USDA PLANTS

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records saguaro in 2 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Arizona, California.

Arizona counties with USDA records: Cochise, Gila, Graham, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yavapai, Yuma.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Saguaro a high shade tolerance, high drought tolerance and low moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 7.0 to 9.0 and winter lows down to 15 °F.

Shade tolerance
High
Drought tolerance
High
Moisture use
Low
Soil textures it is adapted to
coarse, medium, fine
Soil pH range
7.0 to 9.0
Minimum temperature tolerated
15 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum)
240
Annual precipitation range
2 to 10 inches
Minimum root depth
10 inches
Salinity tolerance
Low
Fertility requirement
Low
Growth rate
Rapid
Lifespan
Moderate
Active growth period
Spring and Summer
Fruit or seed
Brown · Summer to Fall
Can be propagated by
bare root, container, seed
Commercial availability
Field Collections Only

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for CAGI10. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Carnegia gigantea, Cereus giganteus.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 14 counties across 2 states; the most are in Arizona (11), California (3).

More from the Cactaceae family (37 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): California barrel cactus, Beavertail pricklypear, Plains pricklypear, Fishhook barrel cactus, Christmas cholla, Silver cholla, Tree cholla, Buckhorn cholla.

More Arizona flowers

Fishhook barrel cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni)

Fishhook barrel cactus

Ferocactus wislizeni

Native

🌼 Blooms in AZ: August–September
Chain-fruit cholla (Cylindropuntia fulgida)

Chain-fruit cholla

Cylindropuntia fulgida

Native

🌼 Blooms in AZ: May–September
Graham's nipple cactus (Cochemiea grahamii)

Graham's nipple cactus

Cochemiea grahamii

🌼 Blooms in AZ: March–July

Sources