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Opuntia aurea 'Golden Carpet'

Also Known As

  • Golden Carpet Beavertail Cactus

Plant type

cactus / succulent, groundcover

size

  • H: 4"-6"
  • W: 24"-36"

planting zones

  • 5a-10b

Opuntia aurea 'Golden Carpet' plant details

Opuntia aurea 'Golden Carpet' is an evergreen groundcover cactus / succulent with green foliage. In spring and summer yellow flowers emerge. 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 aurea 'Golden Carpet'

Plant type: groundcover cactus / succulent
Plant family: cactaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 24 IN - 36 IN - wide, 4 IN - 6 IN - tall
Flowers: yellow blooms in spring and summer
Uses: container plant, desert garden, rock garden, spineless, xeric

GROWING CONDITIONS for Opuntia aurea 'Golden Carpet'

USDA Zones: 5a - 10b
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

A spineless form of the creeping beavertail shared with us by Kelly Grummons, with upright blue-gray pads with tiny glochids forming chains across sandy areas in its native habitat, making it particularly attractive in both rock gardens and containers. Bright yellow flowers are one of the earliest to appear and one of the last to finish of all species. A variety that always draws a great deal of attention. Often reblooms in July. 6" high by 36" wide. Zone 5.

Gardening facts about Opuntia aurea 'Golden Carpet' plant

How to Grow Opuntia aurea 'Golden Carpet'

  • 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
  • Flower Color

    • yellow
  • Wildlife

    • bees
    • hummingbirds
    • deer resistant
    • rabbit resistant
  • Flower Season

    • spring
    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen

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
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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
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