Plants obtained from seeds, variable in characteristics. The young specimens have numerous spines, but over time the spines become more sparse and shorter. Some specimens become very strange.
Ferocactus glaucescens is a medium sized, barrel cactus with greysh-blue stems. Multiple heads are produced as the plant ages and can form a very large mound. The spines are rather neatly distributed, and the unusual-looking white fruits are unmistakable.
Juvenile plants bear densely spined areoles, progressively reducing to 3-5 spines when mature. Its flowers display snow-white petals dramatically accentuated by a royal purple midline.