Photo of Opuntia joconostle flower by Cactus Jungle

Photo by Cactus Jungle

Used with permission, all rights reserved

Show all photos

Opuntia joconostle

Also Known As

  • Opuntia tuna-blanca
  • Tuna blanca

Plant type

cactus / succulent

size

  • H: 8'-15'
  • W: 6'-15'

planting zones

  • 8b-12

More Options

Opuntia joconostle plant details

Opuntia joconostle is an evergreen cactus / succulent with blue and green foliage. In spring and summer orange 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 gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Opuntia joconostle

Plant type: cactus / succulent
Plant family: cactaceae
Foliage: evergreen blue and green
Mature size: 6 FT - 15 FT - wide, 8 FT - 15 FT - tall
Flowers: orange blooms in spring and summer
Uses: container plant, desert garden, edible, rock garden, spiky, xeric

GROWING CONDITIONS for Opuntia joconostle

USDA Zones: 8b - 12
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: occasional - low
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Tall, fast growing prickly pear; delicious fruit (tunas) Hardy to 15F

Gardening facts about Opuntia joconostle plant

How to Grow Opuntia joconostle

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly sun
  • Water Needs

    • occasional - drought tolerant
  • Water Needs

    • dry in winter
  • Soil Needs

    • lean
    • well-drained
    • rocky
    • gritty
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
    • blue
  • Flower Color

    • orange
  • Wildlife

    • bees
    • hummingbirds
    • deer resistant
    • rabbit resistant
  • Fruit

    • purple
  • Flower Season

    • spring
    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
  • Texture

    • glaucous

See other plant types of Opuntia for your garden

aka Opuntia cycloides, Prickly Pear Cactus

Plant Type

Cactus / Succulent

Zones

7a-11

Size

Height: 4'-6'

Width: 6'-10'

  • sun - mostly sun
  • occasional - drought tolerant
  • dry in winter
Photo of Opuntia cyclodes form by plant lust
View Plant

More Options

aka Prickly Pear

Plant Type

Cactus / Succulent

Zones

7a-11

Size

Height: 1'-3'

Width: 3'-8'

  • sun - bright shade
  • occasional - drought tolerant
  • dry in winter
Photo of Opuntia phaeacantha flower, form by Panayoti Kelaidis
View Plant

More Options

aka Opuntia potsii var. montana, Opuntia pottsii, Opuntia pottsii var. montana, Prickly Pear Cactus

Plant Type

Cactus / Succulent

Zones

4a-10b

Size

Height: 4"-15"

Width: 20"-30"

  • sun - mostly sun
  • occasional - drought tolerant
  • dry in winter
Photo of Opuntia macrorhiza ssp. pottsii by plant lust
View Plant

More Options

aka Opuntia subarmata, Prickly Pear Cactus

Plant Type

Cactus / Succulent

Zones

7a-10b

Size

Height: 3'-6'

Width: 5'-8'

  • sun - mostly sun
  • occasional - drought tolerant
  • dry in winter
Photo of Opuntia engelmannii var. lindheimeri flower, foliage by Patricia Cunningham
View Plant

More Options

aka Beavertail Cactus

Plant Type

Cactus / Succulent

Zones

7a-10b

Size

Height: 1'-2'

Width: 3'-4'

  • sun - mostly sun
  • occasional - drought tolerant
  • dry in winter
Photo of Opuntia basilaris flower, form by Stan Shebs
View Plant

More Options

+236 more Opuntia
Mailing List
Sign Up for updates on new plant arrivals and deals

© 2010—2026 Plant Lust, LLC All Rights Reserved