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    • Photo of Opuntia macrorhiza ssp. pottsii by plant lust

    Photo by plant lust

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Opuntia macrorhiza ssp. pottsii

    Also Known As

    • Opuntia potsii var. montana
    • Opuntia pottsii
    • Opuntia pottsii var. montana
    • Prickly Pear Cactus

    Plant type

    cactus / succulent

    size

    • H: 4"-15"
    • W: 20"-30"

    planting zones

    • 4a-10b

    More Options

    Opuntia macrorhiza ssp. pottsii plant details

    Opuntia macrorhiza ssp. pottsii is an evergreen 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 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 macrorhiza ssp. pottsii

    Plant type: cactus / succulent
    Plant family: cactaceae
    Foliage: evergreen green
    Mature size: 20 IN - 30 IN - wide, 4 IN - 15 IN - tall
    Flowers: yellow blooms in spring and summer
    Uses: container plant, desert garden, rock garden, spiky, xeric, year round interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Opuntia macrorhiza ssp. pottsii

    USDA Zones: 4a - 10b
    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

    A wonderful little cactus from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to only 4" tall x 30" wide, with green pads and very short spines. Summer flowers are lemon yellow, single and simple. Best in lean soil, good drainage, and bright light, though these are more shade tolerant than most opuntias. Needs little to no summer water. Frost hardy to -30F, USDA Zone 4.

    By: Cistus Nursery

    Gray leaved prickly pear with yellow flowers. Grows to 15" high.

    By: Rare Plant Research

    Gardening facts about Opuntia macrorhiza ssp. pottsii plant

    How to Grow Opuntia macrorhiza ssp. pottsii

    • 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

    • 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

    Opuntia cyclodes

    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

    Opuntia phaeacantha

    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

    Opuntia engelmannii var. lindheimeri

    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

    Opuntia basilaris

    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

    Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei

    aka Trelease's Beavertail Prickly Pear

    Plant Type

    Cactus / Succulent

    Zones

    6a-10b

    Size

    Height: 18"-24"

    Width: 18"-24"

    • sun - mostly sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    • dry in winter
    Photo of Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei foliage by Stan Shebs
    View Plant
    +236 more Opuntia
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