Opuntia
Also called the Prickly Pear cactus, Opuntia has more than 300 varieties. You’ll find it in landscaping in South Carolina, and in random locations. It is said that the enslaved Africans planted prickly pear cactus to mark cemeteries and to discourage spirits from walking the earth. We once talked to a customer that planted it outside their daughter’s bedroom window…
Most Popular Types
Opuntia microdasys, or Bunny Ears cactus, is the most popular Opuntia at Growing Hobby. Out in the open, the most common Opuntia is the humifusa, or eastern prickly pear. Very rare but beautiful is the Carolina Prickly Pear, Opuntia tunoidea, with bluish pads and bright yellow flowers.
Light
Opuntia prefer full sun.
Temperatures
Many opuntia are hardy to extremely cold temperatures. We recommend protecting Prickly Pear cactus when temps are below freezing to keep the fluid in the pads from freezing and damaging the cactus from the inside out.
Watering
Opuntia can be watered twice monthly in the summer and once monthly otherwise. Opuntia does well planted directly in the ground, and they can survive on natural rainfall.
Toxicity
Prickly Pear fruit is often used for candies and jellies, but the fruit has fine spines that are difficult to remove. Opuntia cactus pads are said to be dangerous, if not poisonous, to humans and pets.
Growth
Opuntia can grow to 20′ in its native habitat.
Origin
Opuntia can be found across North, Central, and South America.
Propagation
Prickly Pear cactus is most easily propagated by stem cuttings.
Dormancy
Opuntia is winter dormant.
Opuntia tunoidea eastern prickly pear
Opuntia tunoidea/macrarthra, or eastern prickly pear cactus, is native to South Carolina.
Opuntia prickly pear flowering
Prickly pear Opuntia is often used in landscaping in South Carolina.
Opuntia prickly pear cacti assortment
Opuntia prickly pear cacti: left – microdasys rufida (red bunny ears), center front and back – Argentine, right – microdasys (bunny ears).
opuntia wave cactus
Wave Opuntia is easily propagated from stem cuttings.
opuntia crested roller coaster cactus
opuntia crested roller coaster cactus
Workshops at Growing Hobby
Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.