Photo by Danger Garden
Used with permission, all rights reserved
Opuntia engelmannii var. linguiformis
Also Known As
- Opuntia linguiformis
- Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear Cactus
Plant type
cactus / succulent
size
- H: 3'-4'
- W: 4'-6'
planting zones
- 8a-11
Opuntia engelmannii var. linguiformis plant details
Opuntia engelmannii var. linguiformis is an evergreen cactus / succulent with blue and green foliage. In spring and summer orange and yellow flowers emerge followed by purple fruit. 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 engelmannii var. linguiformis
- Plant type: cactus / succulent
- Plant family: cactaceae
- Foliage: evergreen blue and green
- Mature size: 4 FT - 6 FT - wide, 3 FT - 4 FT - tall
- Flowers: orange and yellow blooms in spring and summer
- Uses: container plant, desert garden, rock garden, spiky, xeric
GROWING CONDITIONS for Opuntia engelmannii var. linguiformis
- USDA Zones: 8a - 11
- 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
By: Moon - Sun Cactus & Koi Gardens
Garden photo gallery of Opuntia engelmannii var. linguiformis
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.
Gardening facts about Opuntia engelmannii var. linguiformis plant
How to Grow Opuntia engelmannii var. linguiformis
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
- blue
Flower Color
- orange
- yellow
Wildlife
- bees
- hummingbirds
- deer resistant
- rabbit resistant
Fruit
- purple
Flower Season
- spring
- summer
Foliage Season
- evergreen
Landscape groups by tags
See other plant types of Opuntia for your garden
aka Tulip Prickly Pear Cactus
Plant Type
Cactus / Succulent
Zones
5a-9b
Size
Height: 6"
Width: 6"
- sun
- occasional - low
- dry in winter
![Photo of Opuntia phaeacantha [St. George, UT] by plant lust](https://d3bbsv6h7qkr8y.cloudfront.net/58/b1/58b1df800c530b2705290ef6d68cf095.webp)
Plant Type
Cactus / Succulent
Zones
6a-10a
Size
Height: 12"
Width: 12"
- sun
- occasional - low
- dry in winter
aka Opuntia erinacea var. columbiana 'McNary'
Plant Type
Cactus / Succulent, Groundcover
Zones
5a-9b
Size
Height: 6"-8"
Width: 24"-36"
- sun - mostly 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)
Plant Type
Cactus / Succulent
Zones
5a-9b
Size
Height: 12"-18"
Width: 18"-24"
- sun - mostly sun
- occasional - drought tolerant
- dry in winter
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