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    • Photo of Opuntia ficus-indica flower, form, spiky by Stan Shebs

    Photo by Stan Shebs

    This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

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    Opuntia ficus-indica

    Also Known As

    • Opuntia cordobensis
    • Opuntia ficus-indica
    • Opuntia vulgaris
    • Barbary Fig Opuntia
    • Indian Fig
    • Indian Fig Opuntia
    • Mission Cactus
    • Prickly Pear
    • Smooth Mountain Prickly Pear
    • Tuberous Prickly Pear

    Plant type

    cactus / succulent

    size

    • H: 8'-15'
    • W: 8'-15'

    planting zones

    • 8b-11

    More Options

    Opuntia ficus-indica plant details

    Opuntia ficus-indica is an evergreen cactus / succulent with green foliage. In spring and summer orange, red and yellow flowers emerge. Attracts hummingbirds. 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, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Opuntia ficus-indica

    Plant type: cactus / succulent
    Plant family: cactaceae
    Foliage: evergreen green
    Mature size: 8 FT - 15 FT - wide, 8 FT - 15 FT - tall
    Flowers: orange, red and yellow blooms in spring and summer
    Uses: container plant, desert garden, rock garden, spiky, xeric

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Opuntia ficus-indica

    USDA Zones: 8b - 11
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
    Watering frequency: occasional - low
    Resistant to: deer, heat and verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average, gritty, rocky and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Full Sun. Outdoor. Yellow-Orange Flowers, edible fruits.

    By: Moon - Sun Cactus & Koi Gardens

    Tree form to 8'h., smallish floppy pads harden to solid trunk. Medium height, fast growing prickly pear; edible fruit/low-spine pads. Hardy to 15 °F.

    By: Cactus Jungle

    Gardening facts about Opuntia ficus-indica plant

    How to Grow Opuntia ficus-indica

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly sun

    • Water Needs

      • occasional - drought tolerant

    • Water Needs

      • dry in winter

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained
      • rocky
      • gritty

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • red
      • orange
      • yellow

    • Wildlife

      • hummingbirds
      • deer resistant

    • Flower Season

      • summer
      • spring

    • 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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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