Opuntia engelmannii [Las Cruces, NM]

Also Known As

Engelman's Prickly Pear

Plant type

cactus / succulent

size

H: 5'-7'
W: 6'-12'

planting zones

7a-11

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Opuntia engelmannii [Las Cruces, NM] plant details

Opuntia engelmannii [Las Cruces, NM] is an evergreen cactus / succulent with blue foliage. In spring and summer orange and yellow flowers emerge followed by purple fruit. Features glaucous texture. Attracts bees and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in winter. Does well in average, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Opuntia engelmannii [Las Cruces, NM]

Plant type: cactus / succulent
Plant family: cactaceae
Foliage: evergreen blue
Mature size: 6 FT - 12 FT - wide, 5 FT - 7 FT - tall
Flowers: orange and yellow blooms in spring and summer
Uses: container plant, desert garden, rock garden, spiky, xeric

GROWING CONDITIONS for Opuntia engelmannii [Las Cruces, NM]

USDA Zones: 7a - 11
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: occasional - low
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

One of the most widely distributed prickly pears in the Southwest, all the way from California to Texas. This collection comes from very large shrub-like plants (to 7' tall and very wide) with bluer pads than usual—I did not get to see the flowers, but yellow to orange can be expected. It should be hardy to at least 0 °F and perhaps quite a bit lower. DS.