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Opuntia fragilis

Also Known As

Opuntia fragilis [SBH 6778]
Prickly Pear

Plant type

cactus / succulent

size

H: 2"-4"
W: 12"-18"

planting zones

4a-10b

More Options

Opuntia fragilis plant details

Opuntia fragilis is an evergreen cactus / succulent with green foliage. In spring and summer chartreuse 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 even moisture - 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, verticillium wilt resistant and wind tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Opuntia fragilis

Plant type: cactus / succulent
Plant family: cactaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 12 IN - 18 IN - wide, 2 IN - 4 IN - tall
Flowers: chartreuse and yellow blooms in spring and summer
Uses: container plant, desert garden, rock garden, spiky, xeric

GROWING CONDITIONS for Opuntia fragilis

USDA Zones: 4a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: even moisture - low
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat, verticillium wilt and wind
Soil needs: gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Shared with us by friend Panayoti Kelaidis of Denver, this small mat former, quickly to about 3" high x 18" wide and eventually larger, has 1/2" pads with golden glochids and spines. Shy to flower. Very attractive in troughs, pots, or rock gardens, anywhere a low sun angle can can make the golden spines glow. Cactus conditions required -- sun, lean and well-drained soil, and little summer water. Frost hardy to -30F, USDA zone 4.

By: Cistus Nursery

Fragile prickly pear (Opuntia fragilis) is widespread across western North America and occurs in all Canadian provinces from Ontario west. It has small pads that can be cylindrical (usually in the BC interior) or larger and somewhat flattened (BC coastal forms). The pads can be upright or prostrate. In summer they produce bright yellow cactus flowers. This is the most northerly of all cactus species occurring only 8 degrees of latitude south of the Arctic Circle in Alberta. Plant in full sun in sharply draining soil.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

This Opuntia very fragilis, in fact, it has got to be the fragilis Opuntia ever. It's as fragilis anything. But it's still an appealing and very special cactus. It's as cute as a really spiny button, with its round little pads and spines ranging in color from fiery orange to white. Big yellow flowers are sometimes seen in late spring. The pads detach easily from one another, which is an important part of the way this species distributes itself. In fact, it is native over a very large area of the West, and it's very hardy, some forms tolerating -30 °F or below. Order one now and don't break it!