Opuntia fragilis var. denudata 'Potato'

Also Known As

Opuntia debreczyi var. denuda 'Potato'
Opuntia fragilis var. denuda 'Potato'
Potato Cactus

Plant type

cactus / succulent

size

H: 1"-3"
W: 24"-36"

planting zones

4a-10b

More Options

Opuntia fragilis var. denudata 'Potato' plant details

Opuntia fragilis var. denudata 'Potato' is an evergreen cactus / succulent with green foliage. In spring and summer yellow flowers emerge. 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 fragilis var. denudata 'Potato'

Plant type: cactus / succulent
Plant family: cactaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 24 IN - 36 IN - wide, 1 IN - 3 IN - tall
Flowers: yellow blooms in spring and summer
Uses: container plant, desert garden, rock garden, xeric

GROWING CONDITIONS for Opuntia fragilis var. denudata 'Potato'

USDA Zones: 4a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: occasional - low
Resistant to: heat and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Fragile prickly pear (Opuntia fragilis) is widespread across western North America and occurs in all Canadian provinces from Ontario west plus the western half of the US. It has small pads that can be cylindrical (usually in the BC interior) or larger and somewhat flattened (BC coastal forms). The pads can be upright or prostrate. In summer they produce bright yellow cactus flowers. This is the most northerly of all cactus species occurring only 8 degrees of latitude south of the Arctic Circle in Alberta. Plant in full sun in sharply draining soil. O. fragilis var. denudata 'Potato' is a thornless form with fat, rounded pads that turn purple in winter and occasionally produce yellow flowers in spring.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

This variety of the fragile prickly pear from the western Colorado plateau tends to be almost entirely nekkid, not even having the tiny glochids we've come to enjoy. A favorite of rock and trough gardeners, these have round pads, to under 2", that clump to at least 3 ft wide but only a few inches in height, turning purplish in winter and producing occasional lemon-yellow flowers in mid spring. This clone shared with us by Western Colorado's Don Campbell. Frost hardy to -30F, USDA Zone 4, possibly lower.