Plants in genus opuntia
Opuntia fragilis
Opuntia fragilis, a small, prostrate cactus native to western North America, is known for its fragile, easily detached joints and bright green appearance. It grows up to 4 inches high and features areoles with whitish wool and a few bristles. The plant produces greenish-yellow flowers and mostly sterile fruit with few spines. Opuntia fragilis is adapted to a wide range of environments, including isolated populations in Eastern Ontario. Its unique growth habit and resilience make it a fascinating addition to rock gardens and xeriscapes.
Opuntia engelmannii
Opuntia engelmannii, commonly known as the Texas prickly pear, is a shrubby cactus found in the south-central and Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It forms dense clumps up to 11.5 feet high, with green pads and yellow flowers that bloom in April and May. The plant produces purple fleshy fruits and is pollinated by solitary bees and sap beetles.
Opuntia quimilo
Opuntia quimilo, commonly known as the Common Prickly Pear, is a cactus native to Argentina, characterized by its treelike form and distinct trunks. It can grow up to 13 feet tall and features long spines on older segments. The cactus produces shiny carmine or red flowers, adding a splash of color to desert or Mediterranean gardens. It is relatively fast-growing and requires full sun and well-drained soil. This cactus is hardy to 23°F for short periods, making it suitable for zones 8-10. Its striking appearance and resilience make it a popular choice for xeriscaping.
Opuntia pilifera
Opuntia pilifera, commonly known as Cocoche loco, is a succulent shrub or small tree native to central Mexico. It can grow between 3 to 20 feet tall and is known for its fleshy oval pads. This cactus is low maintenance, tolerating neglect and thriving in full sun. It is hardy to temperatures as low as 23°F for short periods and blooms with red flowers from June to August. Its resilience and fast growth make it a popular choice for those looking to add a touch of the desert to their garden.
Opuntia decumbens
Opuntia decumbens is a drought-tolerant succulent known for its ability to reproduce in various ways. It thrives in ample light, making a south-facing location ideal. This plant is notable for its resilience and unique growth habits, making it a fascinating addition to any succulent collection.
Opuntia ficus-indica
Opuntia ficus-indica, or the Prickly Pear, is a large, branching cactus native to Mexico, valued for its edible fruits and ornamental appeal. It can grow between 6 to 16 feet tall, with flat, oval-shaped pads covered in spines. The plant blooms in yellow, orange, or red from spring to late summer and thrives in bright, direct sunlight with minimal watering. It is hardy in zones 8-12 and tolerates temperatures from 50°F to 100°F.
Opuntia monacantha
Opuntia monacantha, also known as the drooping prickly pear, is a hardy, drought-tolerant cactus native to South America. It can grow up to 20 feet tall and is one of the few cacti with white-variegated stems. This fast-growing plant thrives in sunny areas with well-draining, porous soil and requires minimal watering. It is frost-sensitive and cannot survive temperatures below 32°F. Opuntia monacantha produces stunning red flowers and is well-suited for container growth. It is best propagated by cuttings and prefers a cactus mix soil with added organic matter.
Opuntia microdasys
Opuntia microdasys, also known as Angel's Wings, is a cactus native to central and northern Mexico. It forms a dense shrub with pad-like stems covered in white or yellow glochids, which can cause skin irritation. This cactus produces bright yellow flowers and edible red fruit, preferring dry soil and full sun. It is slow-growing and can reach heights of 2 to 3 feet.
Opuntia santa-rita
Opuntia santa-rita, commonly known as the Santa Rita prickly pear, is a bushy succulent shrub native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. It features striking reddish or violet-purple pads and bright yellow flowers that bloom from April through August. This frost-hardy plant can grow up to 6-8 feet tall and 3 meters wide, thriving in full sun or partial shade. It requires regular watering in summer and dry conditions in winter, making it suitable for USDA zones 6-10.
Opuntia macrocentra
Opuntia macrocentra, commonly known as the golden spined prickly pear, is a striking cactus with red-tinged pads and long spines. It blooms bright yellow flowers with a red throat in spring and summer, which last only a day. This ground-hugging shrub can grow up to 4 feet tall and spread up to 10 feet wide. The purple tinge on its pads is due to betalain pigment, most prominent around the areoles and edges. It produces edible, juicy fruits that mature from summer to autumn. This cactus is frost hardy, tolerating temperatures as low as 19°F, and thrives in full sun or partial shade. It requires regular watering in summer but should be kept dry in winter. Suitable for USDA zones 6-10, it can handle extremely high summer temperatures.
Opuntia 'Maverick'
Opuntia 'Maverick' is a versatile cactus native to the Americas, thriving in dry arid climates. It is suitable for both outdoor and indoor spaces and requires watering once every 2-3 weeks. This plant is well-adapted to various environments.
Opuntia microdasys 'Golden Bunny Ears'
Opuntia microdasys 'Golden Bunny Ears' is a drought-tolerant cactus that thrives in sunny areas, particularly south-facing locations. It requires porous, well-draining soil and minimal watering, making it ideal for dry climates.
Opuntia fragilis 'Potato'
Opuntia fragilis 'Potato' is a form of prickly pear cactus from Western Colorado, known for its tightly clustering clump of near-spineless pads. It forms a 3-inch tall by 2-foot wide patch and takes on a purple blush in cold weather. Occasionally, it produces bright yellow flowers in late spring.
Opuntia canterae 'Elata'
Opuntia canterae 'Elata' is a fast-growing, shrubby succulent that can reach up to 10 feet in height. It is known for its deep orange to yellow flowers that bloom from late spring through summer. The plant produces club-shaped, purple-red fruit and has white spines that can grow up to 1.5 inches long. Native to Argentina, it thrives in full sun and is well-suited for xeriscaping and dry climates.
Opuntia rufida 'Minima Monstrose'
Opuntia rufida 'Minima Monstrose' is a miniature prickly pear cactus with cinnamon-colored spines. It grows up to 10 inches in height and requires thorough watering when the soil is dry. This cactus is well-suited for warm climates, needing regular watering during the warm months and light watering in winter. It should be protected from frost.
Opuntia polyacantha var. hystricina
Opuntia polyacantha var. hystricina is a low, shrubby perennial cactus with dense spines and peach-colored flowers. It grows many branches up to 4-8 inches tall and forms small clumps or mats. This cactus blooms from late spring to early summer.
Opuntia rufida 'Mini Cinnamon'
Opuntia rufida 'Mini Cinnamon' is a drought-tolerant cactus that requires ample light and porous, well-draining soil. It needs minimal watering and can withstand freezing temperatures below 40°F.
Opuntia rufida
Opuntia rufida, commonly known as the blind prickly pear, is a cactus with rose-purple flowers that bloom from spring to early summer. It thrives in fast-draining mineral soils and full sun, making it ideal for arid environments. The plant is hardy to temperatures as low as 23°F and is known for its prickly glochids, which require careful handling.
Opuntia 'Mona Lisa'
Opuntia 'Mona Lisa' is a member of the prickly pear cactus family, known for having fewer spines than other varieties. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires very little water, with soil that should dry out between waterings. This cactus produces yellow to golden flowers that open day and night, adding a vibrant touch to gardens. It can survive light frost, making it a resilient choice for arid landscapes.
Opuntia 'Santa Rita Baby'
Opuntia 'Santa Rita Baby' is a bushy succulent shrub with striking reddish or violet-purple pads. It grows up to 6 feet tall and wide, producing yellow flowers in spring. This frost-hardy plant thrives in full sun or afternoon shade and is well-suited for USDA zones 6-10. Its unique coloration and resilience make it a standout in any garden.
Opuntia engelmannii var. engelmannii
Opuntia engelmannii var. engelmannii is a spineless cactus native to the US and Mexico, forming a 3-foot tall by 6-foot wide mound. It features grey-green pads and bright yellow flowers in August, followed by large red "pears." This deer-resistant plant thrives in well-drained soils and is a striking addition to xeriscapes.
Opuntia 'Sunburst Variegata'
Opuntia 'Sunburst Variegata' is a vibrant cactus native to Mexico, known for its fast growth and striking pink flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer. This plant can reach up to 20 inches in height and thrives in full sun to partial shade, requiring at least five hours of direct sunlight daily. It is drought-tolerant, needing little water and fertilizer, and prefers a gritty, well-draining soil mix. Hardy in USDA zones 8b to 11, it can withstand temperatures as low as 32°F. Opuntia 'Sunburst Variegata' is easy to propagate through stem cuttings, making it a popular choice for cactus enthusiasts.
Opuntia quitensis 'Johnson's Hybrid'
Opuntia quitensis 'Johnson's Hybrid' is a shrubby cactus native to Ecuador and Peru, known for its obovate, flat branched pads. It grows up to 2 feet tall and produces red-orange flowers on the pad tips. This drought-tolerant plant prefers well-draining soil and can withstand temperatures down to 30°F.
Opuntia microdasys 'Rufida'
Opuntia microdasys 'Rufida', commonly known as the Beavertail Pricklypear, is a cactus native to the southwestern United States. It is characterized by its oval growth habit and slow growth rate, reaching up to 24 inches tall. This plant blooms from mid-spring to early summer, producing rose-purple flowers with deep magenta-red filaments. It thrives in very fast-draining mineral soils and requires full sun exposure, making it highly rot-prone if overwatered. The plant is hardy to temperatures as low as -5°F and should be kept dry during winter. Its glochids, or small spines, can be irritating, so handling with care is advised. Opuntia microdasys 'Rufida' is a striking addition to any garden, especially in arid or desert-like conditions.
Opuntia 'Maverick Variegata'
Opuntia 'Maverick Variegata' is a dwarf variant of Opuntia monacantha, notable for its variegated colors ranging from white to pink. This shrubby or tree-like cactus forms unique, tortured shapes and typically grows less than 20 inches tall. It requires moderate to ample water in summer and should be kept dry in winter, thriving in filtered sunlight or afternoon shade.
Opuntia cochenillifera 'Variegata'
Opuntia cochenillifera 'Variegata', also known as the Paddle Cactus or Joseph's Coat, is a naturally occurring variegated cactus with marbled white, creamy-white, yellow, green, and sometimes pink patterns. It forms shrubby or tree-like shapes with long, smooth, flattened stems and tiny hair spines. This cactus is native to Mexico and grows up to 50 cm in height, producing small red flowers in late spring and early summer.
Opuntia 'Blue Jacket'
Opuntia 'Blue Jacket' is a drought-tolerant cactus that thrives in sunny areas with porous, well-draining soil. It requires little watering and benefits from drought periods between waterings. This plant is ideal for xeriscaping and low-maintenance gardens.