Alphabetical Plant Listing

Opuntia santa-rita (Santa Rita Prickly Pear)

Santa Rita Prickly Pear, Purple Prickly Pear, Opuntia santa-rita, Opuntia gosseliniana var. santarita, Opuntia chlorotica var. santarita, Opuntia violacea var. santarita


A very attractive species, Opuntia santa-rita (Santa Rita Prickly Pear) is an upright, bushy succulent shrub with colorful, round, ovate, 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 small edible purple 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 6-8 ft. tall (180-240 cm) and 8-10 ft. wide (240-300 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, 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 or from seed.
  • Native to Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

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Requirements

Hardiness 7 – 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 Opuntia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 6' – 8' (180cm – 240cm)
Spread 8' – 10' (240cm – 3m)
Spacing 120" (300cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Southwest, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden

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(c) Gerhard Bock, SucculentsandMore.com

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.


Requirements

Hardiness 7 – 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 Opuntia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 6' – 8' (180cm – 240cm)
Spread 8' – 10' (240cm – 3m)
Spacing 120" (300cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Southwest, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Opuntia

Guides with Opuntia

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