Opuntia santa-rita 'Tubac'

Also Known As

Prickly Pear Cactus

Plant type

cactus / succulent

size

H: 3'-4'
W: 5'

planting zones

6a-10b

More Options

Opuntia santa-rita 'Tubac' plant details

Opuntia santa-rita 'Tubac' is an evergreen cactus / succulent with green and purple foliage. In spring orange and yellow flowers emerge. Features glaucous texture. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and regular - low water. Prefers to be dry in winter. Does well in average, gritty, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Opuntia santa-rita 'Tubac'

Plant type: cactus / succulent
Plant family: cactaceae
Foliage: evergreen green and purple
Mature size: 5 FT wide, 3 FT - 4 FT - tall
Flowers: orange and yellow blooms in spring
Uses: container plant, desert garden, rock garden, xeric, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Opuntia santa-rita 'Tubac'

USDA Zones: 6a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: heat and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, gritty, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Opuntia santa-rita is found from S. Arizona to W. Texas and and down to Mexico. 'Tubac' is an extremely beautiful Prickly Pear with large, yellow flowers that form on the outer edges of the round to oval, blue-grey pads in late spring to early summer. Purple fruits follow after flowering. Clusters of glochids dot the pads and long spines line the upper edges. The pads turn to a rich purple colour in the winter and then back to blue-grey during warmer months. One of the more tender Prickly Pears. Its growth habit can form clumps 48 inches tall by 70 inches wide. Plant in full sun with sharp drainage. All parts of this plant are edible. Use in alpine and rock gardens. Suitable for xeriscaping.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

A most striking selection by Arizona's Ron Gass, near the southern Arizona berg of the same name. To only 3-4' in height, eventually spreading to over 5' in width, at least if you take it out of its 4" pot. The pads turn a deep burgundy with chill and winter sun and flower mid-spring in yellow with a wee bit of orange toward the center. For full sun and bright light for best effect. Mineral soil. Excellent container plant. Frost hardy to USDA zone 6.