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Opuntia santa-rita Tubac™ (Santa Rita Prickly Pear)

Santa Rita Tubac™ Prickly Pear, Purple Prickly Pear

Opuntia santarita Tubac, Santa Rita Prickly Pear, Opuntia santa-rita, Opuntia gosseliniana var. santarita, Opuntia chlorotica var. santarita, Opuntia violacea var. santarita, pink succulent, pink cactus, purple cactus, drought tolerant plant,
Opuntia santarita Tubac, Santa Rita Prickly Pear, Opuntia santa-rita, Opuntia gosseliniana var. santarita, Opuntia chlorotica var. santarita, Opuntia violacea var. santarita, pink succulent, pink cactus, purple cactus, drought tolerant plant,

Grown for its intriguing color, Opuntia santa-rita Tubac™ (Santa Rita Prickly Pear) is an upright, shrubby succulent with large round fleshy pads. Covered with spines, the pads turn rich purple in winter before changing back to soft blue-gray with warmer temperatures. This purple pad coloration also intensifies in direct sunlight and drought. Sitting on the outer edges of the pads, large multi-petalled, yellow flowers appear in spring, creating a stunning contrast with the purple pads. They are followed by purple fleshy fruits that are highly attractive to birds. Frost-hardy, Santa Rita Prickly Pear is a very decorative cactus that adds beauty to the garden year-round.

  • Typically grows up to 4 ft. tall (120 cm) and 6 ft. wide (180 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun or light shade, in well-drained soils. This plant tolerates a wide variety of soils as long as they are well-draining. During the first growing season, water twice per month in summer, and once per month in winter. Drought tolerant once established.
  • This low-maintenance plant is a great choice for xeriscape gardens, rock gardens, Mediterranean gardens, and cactus gardens.
  • This remarkable plant is deer resistant, tolerates urban pollution, and is easy to care for.
  • Generally disease-free. Watch for cochineal scale or mealy bugs.
  • Propagate from woody stem cuttings.
  • Opuntia santa-rita is native to Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 11
Heat Zones 9 - 12
Climate Zones 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Cactus & Succulents
Plant Family Cactaceae
Genus Opuntia
Common names Cactus, Santa Rita Prickly Pear, Prickly Pear, Purple Prickly Pear
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 5' - 6'
(150cm - 180cm)
Spacing 72" (180cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Gravel and Rock 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)
Austrocylindropuntia subulata (Eve’s Needle Cactus)
Cylindropuntia imbricata (Tree Cholla)
Cylindropuntia echinocarpa (Silver Cholla)
Cylindropuntia bigelovii (Teddybear 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)
Great Perennials as Companion Plants for Your Succulents
Great Ornamental Grasses as Companion Plants for Your Succulents
Great Shrubs as Companion Plants for Your Succulents
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 8 - 11
Heat Zones 9 - 12
Climate Zones 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Cactus & Succulents
Plant Family Cactaceae
Genus Opuntia
Common names Cactus, Santa Rita Prickly Pear, Prickly Pear, Purple Prickly Pear
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 5' - 6'
(150cm - 180cm)
Spacing 72" (180cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Opuntia (Prickly Pear)
Not sure which Opuntia (Prickly Pear) to pick?
Compare Now

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