Opuntia

( op - PUNT - ee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of cacti includes species that need full sun and little to no water to perform well in the landscape. Species have a native range that spans from Canada down to the southern tip of South America. Flowers are typically showy and large, followed by brightly-colored fruits. These cacti are used as structural accents in xeriscapes, rock gardens, and on dry sloped areas as erosion control. They can also be used as barriers or fences or simply as pollinator or wildlife attractants. Take care when planting these cacti in the landscape, as their sharp spines can cause physical injury, skin irritation, and eye damage.

Opuntia Species and Varietals

Opuntia is a genus in the plant family Cactaceae, and incudes between 150 and 200 accepted species. The best growing zones for Opuntia vary depending on the species. See the descriptions below for more information. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Opuntia basilaris (Beavertail Cactus, Beavertail Pricklypear)
Grows best in USDA hardiness zones 5-11 or Sunset growing zones 2, 3 and 7-24. This plant has a low-branching habit and reaches up to 1 foot tall and 4 feet wide at maturity. Leaves are oval to round and greyish-green to purple in color. Spring flowers are rose-purple and spines are up to 2 inches long.

Opuntia ficus-indica (Prickly Pear, Indian Fig Opuntia, Barbary Fig, Cactus Pear, Spineless Cactus, Tuna Cactus, Nopal, Tuna)
These plants grow best in USDA hardiness zones 8-11 or Sunset growing zones 8, 9, 12-24, H1 and H2. It has a tree-like or shrubby habit and gets to 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Trunks are woody and pads are flat. It has clusters of bristles but most pads don't have spines. Flowers are orange to yellow and are 3-5 inches wide. Fruits follow flowers and ripen from yellow to red. This species' fruit is the 'Prickly Pear' found in grocery stores. This is a very drought-tolerant plant, but in the warmer areas of its zones it needs extra water during the fruiting period for the best fruit yield. Popular varieties include 'Burbank Spineless' (a nearly spineless selection), and 'Gray Form' (with grey pads). This species is considered highly invasive in the Western Cape region of Africa, Australia, Spain, Italy, California, and Hawaii.

Opuntia leptocaulis (Desert Christmas Cactus, Christmas Cholla, Pencil Cactus, Pencil Cholla, Tasajillo)
This species of Opuntia grows best in USDA hardiness zones 7a-11b or Sunset growing zones 3 and 7-24. Gets 2-3 feet tall and just as wide. Joints are between 1 and 12 inches long and have 1-2 inch-long spines. Green to yellow flowers bloom in springtime. Fruit the size of olives mature from green to red and stay on the cactus all winter long. This is a very cold-hardy species. It is considered highly invasive in Australia, Kenya, and South Africa.

Opuntia macrocentra (Opuntia violacea) (Purple Pricklypear, Black-Spined Pricklypear, Long-Spined Purplish Prickly Pear, Long-Spine Prickly Pear)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 6-11 or Sunset growing zones 2, 3 and 7-24. Gets to 4 feet tall and 6 feet wide with purple-green pads that turn a rich purple color in cold weather. Yellow and red flowers appear in spring. Cultivar 'Tubac' holds its purple color throughout more seasons of the year.

Opuntia microdasys (Bunny Ears, Angel's Wings Cactus, Polka Dot Cactus, Bunny Cactus)
This species of cacti grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9a-11b or Sunset growing zones 12-24 and reaches 2-3 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide, though is much smaller when grown in pots. Pads are almost round, and are soft, velvety and green. The cactus is polka-dotted with areas of bristles. Cultivar 'Albispina' has white bristles. New pads form atop old ones, giving the look of an animal's head. This species is considered invasive in Australia, South Africa, France, Italy Spain, North Africa, and the southwestern United States.

Caring for opuntia

Take care when planting these cacti in the landscape, as their sharp spines can cause physical injury, skin irritation, and eye damage. Plant these cacti in a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a circumneutral pH of between 6.0 and 7.5 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of rock mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants are considered drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone for much of the year with supplemental waterings during extended periods of dry, warm weather. Allow soil to dry out completely between waterings.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. Echeveria species vary in their life expectancies; some are annuals, others are perennials. Annuals are typically pulled at the end of the growing season, composted, and replaced the next year. Perennial species can last for a few years to over a century before needing to be replaced.

Caring for Opuntia in Containers
Opuntia cacti do well in the ground but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. These plants prefer a rocky or sandy substrate that is well-draining. Top with a layer of rock mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. These cacti in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased plant material at any time during the active growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Harvesting Opuntia
Opuntia cacti are considered edimentals; both their pads (Nopales) and fruits (Tunas) are edible. Nopales are tart and slightly crisp with a texture similar to Okra when cooked. The younger, bright green pads are the most tender and flavorful, and are typically harvested in spring or summer. Older pads are technically still edible, though they are woody, tougher, and less flavorful. Pick pads in the mid-morning when the plant's natural acid content is lowest, which will yield a sweeter and less sour taste. Choose the newest, uppermost pads that are thin, plump, and have fewer spines. Wearing thick gardening gloves and using tongs, hold the pad and make a cut using a clean, sharp knife. Remove the spines from the pad, disposing them in a place where they will not accidentally harm anyone. Give the paddle a quick rinse in a bowl of water to remove any remaining loose needles, and then slice them into 1/2 inch pieces or strips. They can then either be boiled, sautéed, or steamed. Nopales are best used fresh, but can also be stored in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. They will stay fresh for 1 to 2 weeks.

Fruits of Opuntia cacti, commonly called Tunas, Prickly Pears or Cactus Pears, are harvested between July and October. They are ripe when they have fully attained their color (which can be purple, red, orange, or yellow, depending on the species and cultivar. Wear protective gloves and use tongs to handle fruits. They will easily twist off of the plant when they are fully mature. The tiny spines can be burned off over an open flame. To consume, cut off both ends of the fruit, slice down the length of the rind, and then peel the thick skin away from the sweet, fleshy interior. The pulp and juice from the fruits is used in mixed drinks, jams, sorbets, or syrups. Though the seeds are edible, they are typically spit out or strained out.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

The best way to propagate Opuntia cacti is by cutting in springtime. To propagate these cacti , you will need a clean, sharp knife or garden shears and a pot filled with a well-draining potting mix (if you will not be replanting in the ground). When you have gathered your materials, follow the directions below to propagate your plant:

Use your clean, sharp garden shears or knife to cut off a pad. It is recommended to wear gloves and use tongs to hold the pad while taking the cutting. Place the cutting on its side and leave it in a dry, warm, shaded spot for between 3 and 7 days. This will cause the end to heal and form a hard callous. Doing this helps the plant avoid root rot when it gets planted in potting mix.
Fill your pot with the potting mix described above, and then place the calloused end of your cutting into the soil. Push down until the bottom of the pad is 1-2 inches under the surface. If the pad is top-heavy, place a small stake or pencil to keep it upright until roots form. Place the pot in a spot that receives bright, indirect light and water lightly once a week. Do not allow the soil to become too moist or dry out completely.
Your cutting should grow roots in about two weeks, whether or not it is placed in potting medium. To check for roots, lightly tug on the plant. If it resists, you have roots; this typically takes between 3 and 6 weeks.

Problems and Pests

Certain Opuntia species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Opuntia, or Prickly Pear Cacti, are hardy, but can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape: