Photo of Opuntia undulata by Cactus Jungle

Photo by Cactus Jungle

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Opuntia undulata

Also Known As

  • Opuntia undosa

Plant type

shrub, cactus / succulent

size

  • H: 8'-12'
  • W: 6'-10'

planting zones

  • 9a-12

More Options

Opuntia undulata plant details

Opuntia undulata is an evergreen cactus / succulent or shrub with blue and green foliage. In spring and summer cream and yellow flowers emerge. 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 undulata

Plant type: cactus / succulent or shrub
Plant family: cactaceae
Foliage: evergreen blue and green
Mature size: 6 FT - 10 FT - wide, 8 FT - 12 FT - tall
Flowers: cream and yellow blooms in spring and summer
Uses: container plant, desert garden, edible, rock garden, spiky, xeric

GROWING CONDITIONS for Opuntia undulata

USDA Zones: 9a - 12
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

Mexico; tall prickly pear to 10', trunk to 12"; low-spine, edible pads/fruit

Gardening facts about Opuntia undulata plant

How to Grow Opuntia undulata

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly sun
  • Water Needs

    • occasional - drought tolerant
  • Water Needs

    • dry in winter
  • Soil Needs

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

    • heat tolerant
    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
    • blue
  • Flower Color

    • cream
    • yellow
  • Wildlife

    • bees
    • hummingbirds
    • deer resistant
    • rabbit resistant
  • 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

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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
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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
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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
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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
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