Photo by Stan Shebs
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.
Opuntia engelmannii
Also Known As
- Cactus Apple
- Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear Cactus
Plant type
shrub, cactus / succulent
size
- H: 6'-10'
- W: 6'-10'
planting zones
- 8a-11
Opuntia engelmannii plant details
Opuntia engelmannii is an evergreen cactus / succulent or shrub with blue foliage. In spring and summer yellow flowers emerge followed by purple fruit. Features glaucous texture. 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 engelmannii
- Plant type: cactus / succulent or shrub
- Plant family: cactaceae
- Foliage: evergreen blue
- Mature size: 6 FT - 10 FT - wide, 6 FT - 10 FT - tall
- Flowers: yellow blooms in spring and summer
- Uses: container plant, desert garden, rock garden, spiky, xeric
GROWING CONDITIONS for Opuntia engelmannii
- USDA Zones: 8a - 11
- 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
Garden photo gallery of Opuntia engelmannii
By: Stan Shebs
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.
By: Stan Shebs
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.
By: Stan Shebs
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.
By: Panayoti Kelaidis
Used with permission, all rights reserved
Gardening facts about Opuntia engelmannii plant
How to Grow Opuntia engelmannii
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
- blue
Flower Color
- yellow
Wildlife
- bees
- hummingbirds
- deer resistant
- rabbit resistant
Fruit
- purple
Flower Season
- spring
- summer
Foliage Season
- evergreen
Texture
- glaucous
Landscape groups by tags
See other plant types of Opuntia for your garden
Plant Type
Cactus / Succulent
Zones
4a-9b
Size
Height: 6"
Width: 6"
- sun
- occasional - low
- dry in winter
![Photo of Opuntia fragilis x polyacantha (?) [Nyssa, Oregon] by plant lust](https://d3bbsv6h7qkr8y.cloudfront.net/e7/f0/e7f084cdbc79f0edb98a43aabab69b50.webp)
Plant Type
Cactus / Succulent
Zones
4a-10a
Size
Height: 6"
Width: 18"
- sun
- occasional - low
- dry in winter
aka Opuntia whipplei 'Snow Leopard'
Plant Type
Shrub, Cactus / Succulent
Zones
5a-10a
Size
Height: 3'-4'
Width: 3'-4'
- sun
- occasional - drought tolerant
- dry in winter
aka Cylindropuntia whipplei 'Trumball Pink', Opuntia whipplei [Trumball Pink]
Plant Type
Cactus / Succulent
Zones
4a-10a
Size
Height: 2'-5'
Width: 3'-6'
- sun - mostly sun
- occasional - drought tolerant
- dry in winter
![Photo of Cylindropuntia whipplei [Trumball Pink] foliage by plant lust](https://d3bbsv6h7qkr8y.cloudfront.net/2e/ba/2eba32f4b9b67865a4e61c143fc293c8.webp)
aka Opuntia erinacea var. columbiana
Plant Type
Cactus / Succulent, Groundcover
Zones
5a-10b
Size
Height: 6"-8"
Width: 24"-36"
- sun
- occasional - drought tolerant
- dry in winter
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