The Elephant Cactus – Giant of Baja California
Did you know that the second largest cactus species in the world—and the largest in the Baja California Peninsula—is the Elephant Cactus, or Cardón in Spanish? This impressive Baja California cactus grows across Baja California Norte, Baja California Sur, and Sonora. The largest cactus in the world, the Saguaro, is not found in Baja California, making the Elephant Cactus the true giant of the region.
A popular spot to view these massive cactus in Baja California is the Valle de los Gigantes (Valley of the Giants) near San Felipe. Declared a protected area in 1980, this nature reserve preserves a biological corridor that shelters endangered animals such as eagles, owls, coyotes, bighorn sheep, pronghorns, mountain lions, and various snakes.
The Elephant Cactus is slow-growing, living for hundreds of years, reaching over 60 feet tall, and weighing more than 20 tons. Its stems have many uses: the flesh is known for healing properties as a natural painkiller and disinfectant, while the dried ribs have traditionally been used to make fishing poles and fences. The Elephant Cactus truly represents the resilience and beauty of cactus in Baja California.
The Boojum Tree – A Rare Baja Cactus Type
The very unique Boojum Tree, or Cirio in Spanish, is almost completely endemic to the Baja California Peninsula (both northern and southern regions), with only a few found in Sonora, Mexico. In southern Baja, in the Cataviña Desert, lies the Valley of the Cirios, a sanctuary home to hundreds of these fascinating Baja cactus types.
The Boojum Tree is a tall, candle-like cactus with a trunk covered in spiny branches. It can grow up to 70 feet high and produces clusters of tubular yellow flowers that bloom in both summer and autumn. This hardy cactus of Baja California can survive for up to five years without rain. Since it yields no fruit and is mostly hollow, it has few practical uses, but it remains one of the most iconic types of cactus in Baja California.
Boojum tree image courtesy of Wikpedia
Echinocereus Martimus – Coastal Baja California Cactus
Echinocereus Martimus is another remarkable cactus in Baja California, found along the western Pacific coast. Growing at low elevations just a few kilometers inland, it thrives in sandy loam soil—a mix of sand, silt, and clay common to Baja California cactus habitats.
This cactus forms colonies of cylindrical stems with colorful spines that change with age, from red to yellow to gray. During its long blooming season, from spring to autumn, its small yellow flowers open just below the stem tips, often remaining partially hidden among its interlaced spines. The Echinocereus Martimus is one of the most distinctive types of cactus in Mexico, perfectly adapted to Baja’s coastal deserts.
Echinocereus Martimus image courtesy of cactiguide.com
Baja California’s Desert of Cactus Wonders
Baja’s extraordinary desert landscapes are home to more than 120 types of cactus species, from the towering Elephant Cactus to the rare Boojum Tree. With most rainfall occurring in late summer and early fall, the desert comes alive with color and growth after every storm.
Whether you’re a nature lover, photographer, or traveler, exploring the cactus of Baja California reveals the incredible biodiversity of Mexico’s desert ecosystems. Meeting Incentive Experts offers guided desert tours in Los Cabos, where you can witness the largest cactus species and discover the many types of cactus in Baja California that make this region a true natural wonder.
