Opuntia
( op - PUNT - ee - uh )
At-A-Glance InformationThis genus of cacti need full sun and little to no water. They are mostly native to the deserts of the southwestern United States and Mexico. There are two types of Opuntia listed here, those with flat, broad joints (the Prickly Pear group), and those with cylindrical joints (the Cholla group). Flowers are usually showy and large, and the fruit that follows is a berry. In most cases, it is edible.
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Opuntia Species and Varietals
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 ficus-indica These plants grow best in 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). |
Opuntia leptocaulis (Desert Christmas Cactus, Christmas Cholla, Pencil Cactus) This species of Opuntia grows best in 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. |
Opuntia macrocentra (Opuntia violacea) This species grows best in 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. Variety 'Tubac' holds its purple color throughout more seasons of the year. |
Opuntia microdasys (Bunny Ears) This species of cacti grows best in 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. Variety 'Albispina' has white bristles. New pads form atop old ones, giving the look of an animal's head. |
Caring for opuntia
Propagation
Problems and Pests
Gallery
Videos
A video all about growing camellias successfully
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Propagating camellias
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 462, Opuntia
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