| Plant Habit: | Shrub Tree Cactus/Succulent |
| Life cycle: | Perennial |
| Sun Requirements: | Full Sun Full Sun to Partial Shade |
| Plant Height: | Up to 20 feet |
| Plant Spread: | Up to 15 feet |
| Leaves: | Other: Green leaves present only on emerging growth, they may or may not be replaced with spines (modified leaves) on mature growth. |
| Fruit: | Showy Edible to birds |
| Flowers: | Showy |
| Flower Color: | Pink Other: Blooms are usually magenta, but also tend to be reddish/purple/deep pink. |
| Bloom Size: | 3"-4" |
| Flower Time: | Late winter or early spring Spring Late spring or early summer |
| Suitable Locations: | Xeriscapic |
| Uses: | Windbreak or Hedge Dye production Provides winter interest Erosion control Flowering Tree Cooked greens Will Naturalize Suitable for forage |
| Edible Parts: | Fruit |
| Wildlife Attractant: | Bees Birds Butterflies Hummingbirds |
| Resistances: | Deer Resistant Tolerates dry shade Humidity tolerant Drought tolerant Salt tolerant |
| Toxicity: | Other: thorns are sharp, glochids can become embedded in skin and cause pain |
| Propagation: Seeds: | Needs specific temperature: 68-86 degrees Sow in situ Start indoors Can handle transplanting Other info: Seeds may be extremely slow to germinate |
| Propagation: Other methods: | Cuttings: Stem Cuttings: Tip Layering Other: Individual pads form new plants; they must dry and callous for 10 days before planting |
| Containers: | Suitable in 3 gallon or larger Needs excellent drainage in pots |
| Miscellaneous: | Tolerates poor soil With thorns/spines/prickles/teeth |
« Add a new plant to the database
» Search the Prickly Pears Database: by characteristics or by cultivar name
« See the general plant entry for Prickly Pears (Opuntia)
