Harrisia fragrans – Indian River Prickly Apple
A fragrant treasure of Florida’s east coast, rescued from the edge of extinction.
Endemic to Florida’s east coast—from St. Lucie and Volusia Counties to parts of the Everglades—the Indian River Prickly Apple (Harrisia fragrans) is a rare and federally protected cactus that once thrived in coastal shell mounds and hammock understories. Now nearly lost to habitat destruction, it’s finding sanctuary in home landscapes thanks to dedicated Florida growers.
This stunning columnar cactus features bright green stems with long yellow-amber spines, large white flowers, and striking bright red fruit. The flowers bloom with a soft fragrance and a unique palette: pale greenish floral tubes and sepals tinged with red-brown accents, making it a showstopper in any native garden or cactus collection.
Adapted to the dappled shade of palm and tree canopies, Harrisia fragrans is hardy to 25°F and grows well in a well-drained cactus mix amended with perlite and composted cow manure. It’s uncommon in cultivation, and its presence in your landscape helps protect one of Florida’s most endangered native plants.
Important Note: This species is federally protected and is available for sale only within Florida per FWC and USFWS guidelines. All plants are nursery-grown from responsibly sourced growers—never wild-collected.