Surprisingly, This Iconic Arizona Symbol Is Only Found HERE

It's the definitive symbol of the desert: the cactus. And no cactus is more recognizable than the giant Saguaro.

You might remember Charles Schultz's Peanuts cartoons where Snoopy and his brother, Spike, write letters back and forth.

Snoopy sits, as always, on or near his dog house as he writes his correspondence; Spike is shown sitting in the blistering desert sun under a giant Saguaro cactus.

The only problem: Spike wrote his letters from Needles, California - in the Mojave desert. While Schultz was showing us that Spike was living a lonely, solitary life out in the desert.

If Mr. Schultz had known anything about this extremely special cactus species, he would've known there was no way Snoopy's brother could've taken respite under that particular succulent for that specific desert.

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Saguaro Cactus Facts

The saguaro cactus, pronounced suh-WAR-oh, is an iconic symbol of the American Southwest. The giant cactus thrives in the Sonoran Desert, which winds through Arizona, the Baja peninsula of Mexico, and a small part of California.

As Snoopy's brother would have learned, you won't find saguaro cactus in just any old desert. These plants overcome harsh desert conditions, but they have a very particular set of requirements that only the Sonoran desert provides.

Where Does the Saguaro Cactus Grow?

In order to grow and thrive, saguaros need the perfect mix of soil conditions and the right amount of precipitation. Oh, and they prefer a very particular temperature range.

The soil needs to be rocky and sandy with really good drainage. They're fond of warmer temperatures and simply won't tolerate deep or prolonged freezing.

If you're thinking of growing one, you'd have to ensure you're in USDA hardiness zones 9-11, meaning they need warm temperatures and just a touch of frost. Tucson and the surrounding area is a good place to find these conditions.

Why the Saguaro Cactus Thrives in the Sonora Desert

As plants go, Saguaros defy the odds. They're HIGHLY adapted to the hot, arid conditions in the Sonoran Desert.

READ: 3 Things You Didn't Know About the Saguaro Cactus

The Saguaro cactus is literally made for intense desert life. They have thick, waxy skin that keeps them from losing moisture during long periods without precipitation. They have a brilliant network of shallow roots that they spread far and wide to catch the rare but precious desert showers.

READ: 8 Of the World's Deadliest Animals Are Found in Arizona

How Long Does a Saguaro Cactus Live?

You can't really appreciate exactly how large these monsters are until you (carefully!) stand near one. These impressive cacti can tower 40 feet above the desert floor and live more than 150 years. They typically don't grow their first arm until they're at least 50 to 75 years old!

Arizona is so enchanted by this desert unicorn that they've adopted the saguaro cactus flower as the official state flower. There's no better symbol of the ephemeral beauty and resilience of the desert than the Saguaro cactus.

Sources: National Park Service | CactusWay | Britannica | Wikipedia |  Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum | State Symbols USA | USDA Plant Hardiness Zones