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    • Photo of Opuntia phaeacantha flower, form by Panayoti Kelaidis

    Photo by Panayoti Kelaidis

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

    Show all photos

    Opuntia phaeacantha

    Also Known As

    • Prickly Pear

    Plant type

    cactus / succulent

    size

    • H: 1'-3'
    • W: 3'-8'

    planting zones

    • 7a-11

    More Options

    Opuntia phaeacantha plant details

    Opuntia phaeacantha is an evergreen cactus / succulent with blue foliage. In spring and summer pink and yellow flowers emerge followed by purple and red fruit. Features glaucous texture. Attracts hummingbirds. Grows well with sun - bright shade and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in winter. Adapts to various soil conditions. 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 phaeacantha

    Plant type: cactus / succulent
    Plant family: cactaceae
    Foliage: evergreen blue
    Mature size: 3 FT - 8 FT - wide, 1 FT - 3 FT - tall
    Flowers: pink and yellow blooms in spring and summer
    Uses: container plant, desert garden, rock garden, xeric

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Opuntia phaeacantha

    USDA Zones: 7a - 11
    Sun exposure: sun - bright shade
    Watering frequency: occasional - low
    Resistant to: deer, heat and verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    One of the best opuntias for fruit!

    By: Cistus Nursery

    Full Sun. Outdoor. Bright Yellow taking on shades of Pinkish-Orange as they age.

    By: Moon - Sun Cactus & Koi Gardens

    Very fiercely spined and grows to 2' high, lots of yellow flowers and edible fruit. Engelmann Native from Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico. 7" long pads make this species a topic in the garden.

    By: Rare Plant Research

    Gardening facts about Opuntia phaeacantha plant

    How to Grow Opuntia phaeacantha

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - bright shade

    • Water Needs

      • occasional - drought tolerant

    • Water Needs

      • dry in winter

    • Soil Needs

      • adaptable
      • lean
      • well-drained
      • rocky
      • gritty

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • blue

    • Flower Color

      • pink
      • yellow

    • Wildlife

      • hummingbirds
      • deer resistant

    • Fruit

      • red
      • purple

    • Flower Season

      • summer
      • spring

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    • Texture

      • glaucous

    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 macrorhiza ssp. pottsii

    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

    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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