Columbia Pictures' acquisition of screen rights to Cactus Flower, Abe Burrows's adaptation of the 1964 French play, Fleur de cactus, was announced in the 12 Nov 1965 DV. At the time, the play was still in previews at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C., and was scheduled to debut on Broadway at the Royale Theatre on 8 Dec 1965. Columbia reportedly purchased the property with a down payment of $250,000, plus an "escalator payment" of up to $750,000, depending on the length of the Broadway run. An item in the 16 Jan 1968 DV confirmed that, due to the escalating clause, the payment had increased significantly, as the play was still in its first run at the Royale.
       On 26 Oct 1967, an LAT brief reported that I. A. L. Diamond was hired to adapt the script. Months later, the 27 Jun 1968 DV named Gene Saks as director, and stated that Lauren Bacall was under consideration to reprise the role of "Stephanie Dickinson," which she had originated on Broadway. Dick Van Dyke was briefly considered to play the leading role of "Julian Winston" before the 29 Jul 1968 DV confirmed that Saks had chosen Walter Matthau, with whom he had recently worked on The Odd Couple (1968, see entry). In addition to a salary, the 17 Feb 1969 DV noted that Matthau was promised a percentage of the profits, as was Saks. Matthau was also given co-star approval, and initially he wanted Lee Grant to play Stephanie Dickinson, but the actress had other commitments, the 21 Oct 1968 LAT reported. Ingrid Bergman, who ultimately won the role, was sent a print of The Odd Couple to view prior to her casting. The 22 Nov 1968 NYT noted that Cactus Flower marked Bergman's first American film in twenty years.
       When she was cast as "Toni Simmons," actress Goldie Hawn was a regular performer on the variety television show, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (NBC, 22 Jan 1968-14 May 1973), the 2 Jan 1969 LAT reported. Despite conflicting production schedules, Hawn received permission from the show's producers to film Cactus Flower during the day and tape Laugh-In segments at night, as stated in the 7 Jan 1969 DV. The movie role marked her feature film debut.
       Rehearsals were underway by early Feb 1969 at Columbia Pictures studio lot in Hollywood, CA, the 7 Feb 1969 DV stated. A production chart in the 14 Feb 1969 DV announced the start of principal photography on 10 Feb 1969.
       An early Aug 1969 preview screening in Santa Barbara, CA, was met with positive reviews, according to the 5 Aug 1969 DV. The film premiered months later, on 15 Dec 1969, at two separate charity events held in New York City. One premiere, held at the Paris Theatre, benefitted the Children's Division of International Social Service (WAIF), while the other, held at the Astor Theatre, raised funds for Greek Orthodox Charities. The film opened the following day in New York City and Los Angeles. It received positive reviews in the 16 Dec 1969 LAT and 17 Dec 1969 NYT, and went on to become the seventh highest-grossing picture of 1970, as noted in the 6 Jan 1971 Var, with $11.3 million in film rentals, to that time.
       For her portrayal of Toni Simmons, Goldie Hawn won an Academy Award for Actress in a Supporting Role, and a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture. Other Golden Globe Award nominations included New Star of the Year - Actress (Goldie Hawn), Actress in a Leading Role - Musical or Comedy (Ingrid Bergman), Best Original Song - Motion Picture ("The Time For Love Is Any Time"), and Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy.
       Although the 30 Jan 1969 DV reported that Neal Hefti was signed to score Cactus Flower, Hefti was not involved in the final production. The score, composed by Quincy Jones, was slated to be released on Columbia's Bell Records subsidiary, as noted in a 21 Oct 1969 DV brief.
       According to a 29 Aug 1968 DV brief, Las Vegas performer Wayne Newton might have been considered for a role. The following actors and actresses were listed as cast members in DV casting announcements published between 20 Feb 1969 and 18 Mar 1969: Ralph Roberts; Rick Lamson; Sylvia Stone; Hy Chase; Toni Kaye; Robert Street; Robert Styles; and Don Fergau.