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Opuntia humifusa (Eastern Prickly Pear)

Eastern Prickly Pear, Devil's Tongue, Low Prickly Pear, Opuntia compressa, Opuntia mesacantha, Opuntia italica, Opuntia rafinesquei, Opuntia fuscoatra

Opuntia humifusa, Eastern Prickly Pear, Devil's Tongue, Low Prickly Pear, Opuntia compressa, Opuntia mesacantha, Opuntia italica, Opuntia rafinesquei, Opuntia fuscoatra, succulent, cactus, drought tolerant plant
Opuntia humifusa, Eastern Prickly Pear, Devil's Tongue, Low Prickly Pear, Opuntia compressa, Opuntia mesacantha, Opuntia italica, Opuntia rafinesquei, Opuntia fuscoatra, succulent, cactus, drought tolerant plant
Opuntia humifusa, Eastern Prickly Pear, Devil's Tongue, Low Prickly Pear, Opuntia compressa, Opuntia mesacantha, Opuntia italica, Opuntia rafinesquei, Opuntia fuscoatra, succulent, cactus, drought tolerant plant

Widely found in the eastern United States, Opuntia humifusa (Eastern Prickly Pear) is a clump-forming succulent shrub with round-to-oval, fleshy, purple-tinged, green pads, up to 10 in. across (25 cm). Covered with clusters of reddish-brown, barbed bristles, the pads are scattered with needle-like spines. In summer, this cactus puts out some of the most striking flowers. Bright yellow, sometimes with a reddish heart, the large, waxy blossoms, 3 in. wide (7 cm), count up to 8-12 yellow rays and are adorned with a bushy clump of yellow center stamens. Attractive to a myriad of pollinator species, they are followed by bright red fruits that are almost as pretty as the flowers. Edible, they are most often used to make candies and jams. Frost hardy, Opuntia humifusa is a very decorative cactus which adds beauty to the garden year-round.

  • Typically grows up to 6-12 in. tall (15-30 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun in sandy or gravelly, dry, well-drained soils. This plant tolerates a wide variety of soils as long as they are well-draining. Drought tolerant once established.
  • This low-maintenance plant is a great choice for xeriscape gardens, rock gardens, sandy slopes, Mediterranean gardens and desert gardens.
  • This remarkable plant is deer resistant and is easy to care for.
  • Generally disease-free.
  • Propagate from woody stem cuttings or from seed.
  • Native to the United States.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 9 - 11
Plant Type Cactus & Succulents
Plant Family Cactaceae
Genus Opuntia
Common names Eastern Prickly Pear, Devil's Tongue, Cactus, Prickly Pear
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 6" - 1'
(15cm - 30cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota, Midwest, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, Rocky Mountains, Montana
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden
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Opuntia (Prickly Pear)
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Opuntia rufida (Blind Prickly Pear)
Opuntia fragilis (Brittle Prickly Pear)
Opuntia santa-rita Tubac™ (Santa Rita Prickly Pear)
Austrocylindropuntia subulata (Eve’s Needle Cactus)
Cylindropuntia imbricata (Tree Cholla)
Cylindropuntia echinocarpa (Silver Cholla)

Recommended Companion Plants

Aeonium haworthii ‘Kiwi’
Crassula capitella ‘Campfire’
Aloe maculata (Soap Aloe)
Sedum nussbaumerianum (Stonecrop)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Succulents
Opuntia (Prickly Pear)
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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 9 - 11
Plant Type Cactus & Succulents
Plant Family Cactaceae
Genus Opuntia
Common names Eastern Prickly Pear, Devil's Tongue, Cactus, Prickly Pear
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 6" - 1'
(15cm - 30cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota, Midwest, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, Rocky Mountains, Montana
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Opuntia (Prickly Pear)
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Compare Now

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