Opuntia Grow Guide: How to Grow Prickly Pear Cactus

Opuntia, commonly known as prickly pear or cactus pear, is a genus of flowering plants in the cactus family (Cactaceae). Prickly pear cactuses have green pads called cladodes that look like large flattened paddles. These cladodes feature a layer of spikes called areoles, which sprout large spines that help the plant defend itself from predators. Edible prickly pear fruits (prickly pears) and yellow or pink cactus flowers with layers of tepals grow off the ends of the plant’s pads.

There are at least 180 species of Opuntia plants, all of which are drought-tolerant and favor sandy and loamy soil. Many of these cultivars thrive along the coasts or in arid or semi-arid desert regions of North America, South America, and Africa. While prickly pear cactus is typically associated with warm desert climates, certain Opuntias are especially cold-hardy and can survive the winter frost.

There are over 180 Opuntia species, many of which grow in vastly different climates with varying characteristics. Here are some of the most popular species of prickly pear:

1. 1. Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica): O. ficus-indica, also known as Indian Fig Opuntia or Barbary Fig, is a spiny, segmented cactus that grows large, flat cladodes and blooms flowers in shades of yellow, red, and white. This cactus can grow over twenty feet tall and three feet wide and thrives primarily in arid desert regions like those found in southeastern North America, South Africa.
2. 2. Bunny ear cactus (Opuntia microdasys): Bunny ear cactus, also known as Polka Dot cactus or Angel’s Wings, is easily identifiable by its segmented pads that resemble bunny ears, which are covered in bristly hairs called glochids. The bunny ear cactus is native to dry areas of northern Mexico and can range in height from sixteen to twenty-four inches when it is mature.
3. 3. Beavertail prickly pear (Opuntia basilaris): Beavertail prickly pear is a bushy succulent that only grows about twelve inches tall but spreads up to four feet wide. This Opuntia species is disease-free and deer-resistant and can tolerate a wide variety of soils and watering conditions.
4. 4. Eastern prickly pear (Opuntia humifusa): Eastern prickly pear cactus is native to eastern regions of the United States, like New England and Florida, and blooms pink and red flowers with seven or more petals. This type of Opuntia is especially cold-hardy, needing little protection from freezing temperatures due to anti-freezing elements in their cells. Depending on the area, they can grow anywhere from sixteen inches tall to over six feet high.
5. 5. Panhandle prickly pear (Opuntia polyacantha): Panhandle prickly pear—also known as starvation prickly pear—can grow in many habitats, including northern Mexico, the Great Plains, and Western Canada. These short Opuntia plants sprout flowers that bloom in magenta or yellow colors and reach heights of twelve inches or less, with a spread of six to nine feet wide.
6. 6. Desert prickly pear (Opuntia engelmannii): Engelmann prickly pear, also known as desert prickly pear, is a shrubby, clumping cacti that can grow up to eleven feet in height. The leaves on this cultivar stay green year-round, sprouting yellow flowers surrounding a red center. This species is also sometimes referred to as the Texas prickly pear.
7. 7. Wheel cactus (Opuntia robusta): Wheel cactus is a tall, tree-like Opuntia species that can grow between four and ten feet high. The plant has large, circular, wheel-like paddles that are flat and lined with prickly bristles. This species thrives in rocky and sandy desert regions in the Southwestern US, like Arizona and Northern Mexico.
8. 8. Santa-Rita prickly pear (Opuntia Santa-Rita): Santa-Rita prickly pear grows up to eight feet high and has variegated paddles that display a mixture of green and purple colors. It is endemic to the Southwestern US in states like Arizona and Texas.
9. 9. Coastal prickly pear (Opuntia littoralis): Coastal prickly pear grows in the shore regions of Southern California in the US and the Baja peninsula. It typically reaches a height of three feet and forms large clumps mixed in with the coastal undergrowth.
10. 10. Spineless prickly pear (Opuntia ellisiana): Spineless prickly pear cactus lacks the typical, spiky spines that make this type of plant difficult to handle.
11. 11. Purple prickly pear (Opuntia macrocentra): Purple prickly pear grows completely purple cactus pads instead of the typical green ones seen in most other breeds of opuntia. It sprouts yellow flowers and typically grows to a height of two feet tall.
12. 12. Western prickly pear (Opuntia macrorhiza): Western prickly pear is a low-growing, clump-forming prickly pear genus that grows to about one foot tall. You can find it in the Great Plains, the Southwestern United States, and Northern Mexico. The plant grows narrow, edible red prickly pear fruits and sprouts yellow flowers.

In general, it’s best to plant prickly pear in early to late spring or summer because these plants thrive in sunny and low-moisture conditions. Most prickly pear species grow best in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 through 11 (though some cold-hardy species like O. humifusa can withstand zones as low as four). Many opuntia varieties grow well indoors and outdoors, though spring and summer are the best times to propagate cuttings.

Be sure to research the specific type of cactus you’re planting to understand their specific growing conditions.

Prickly pear cactus can take over three years to grow from seed, so experts recommend propagating your cacti through cuttings to speed up the process. You can obtain these cuttings at your local plant store or through specialty mail-away services. Follow this guide to grow prickly pear cactus from cuttings:

1. 1. Obtain cuttings: Obtain a cactus pad from a prickly pear plant that is at least six months old. Use a sharp knife or a pair of sterile shears to snip one of the pads from the cactus plant. Lay your stem segments on a towel in a shady and dry area for a week until the cut end forms a callus.
2. 2. Choose a planting site: Your planting spot should receive at least six hours of full sun a day, whether you’re keeping your cacti in an indoor container or planting them in your garden.
3. 3. Prepare the soil: Like most cacti, prickly pears need loose, well-draining soil with a neutral to slightly acidic soil pH. Learn how to adjust your soil pH.
4. 4. Plant the cutting: Your cutting is ready to plant once it has formed a proper callus at the place where you cut it. Place your cutting about one or two inches deep in your soil, using the soil or some small rocks to hold the plant upright. Avoid watering your cactus for the first month after you plant it. The cactus pad contains enough moisture to sustain itself for the first few months of growth.

Prickly pears are low maintenance, requiring very little care and attention to thrive. Here are some basic prickly pear care tips:

• Wear protective gear to handle: Prickly pear cactus pads feature sharp, pointy bristles that can be harmful if improperly handled. Use tongs or wear long-sleeved shirts and protective gloves when handling your prickly pears.
• Remove damaged pads: Prickly pears are so low-maintenance that they don’t need much pruning. However, you should remove any damaged or dead pads when you notice them.
• Avoid fertilizer: Prickly pears don’t need fertilizer unless you notice that their lush green color is fading. Apply a well-balanced fertilizer to the soil to fertilize your plant.
• Water sparingly: Drought-tolerant prickly pear plants will remain healthy when underwatered, and they can quickly rot or deflate if their roots are soggy for prolonged periods. Water your cacti about once or twice a week while it's establishing itself. You can taper off the watering frequency once you start to see new growth. Aim to water adult plants with about a quarter-inch of water every week or so in the hotter months.
• Monitor for pests: Cochineal insects are parasitic bugs that feed on prickly pear cactuses and can potentially kill your plant. If your plant has a white, splotchy mold-like substance on its cacti pads, it likely has a cochineal infestation. Treat this kind of infestation with an insecticide, neem oil, and insecticidal soap.

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