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    • Photo of Opuntia polyacantha flower by Panayoti Kelaidis

    Photo by Panayoti Kelaidis

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Opuntia polyacantha

    Also Known As

    • Opuntia polycantha
    • Hairspine Cactus
    • Plains Prickly Pear
    • Plains Prickly Pear Cactus
    • Starvation Prickly Pear
    • Starvation Prickly Pear Cactus

    Plant type

    shrub, cactus / succulent, groundcover

    size

    • H: 6"-12"
    • W: 24"-36"

    planting zones

    • 5a-10b

    More Options

    Opuntia polyacantha plant details

    Opuntia polyacantha is an evergreen groundcover cactus / succulent or shrub with blue foliage. In spring and summer pink and 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 gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Opuntia polyacantha

    Plant type: groundcover cactus / succulent or shrub
    Plant family: cactaceae
    Foliage: evergreen blue
    Mature size: 24 IN - 36 IN - wide, 6 IN - 12 IN - tall
    Flowers: pink and yellow blooms in spring and summer
    Uses: container plant, desert garden, mat-forming, rock garden, xeric

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Opuntia polyacantha

    USDA Zones: 5a - 10b
    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

    These common natives of western dry lands in have round to oval pads, from 1-4" long with dense spines ("polyacantha" means "many thorns") up to 2" long, and form spreading mats to 4-12" tall and up to several feet wide. Early summer flowers are pale yellow and abundant. Cold hardy to USDA zone 4

    By: Cistus Nursery

    Native to dry areas of western North America (including Alberta and Saskatchewan) plains prickly pear forms a mat of spreading, prostrate, flattened pads. The one to four inch long pads have numerous yellow to reddish spines. In summer it produces large two to three inch wide golden yellow or magenta flowers followed by edible brownish fruit. Plant in full sun in sharply draining soil.

    By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

    The classic yellow to pink flowered cactus.

    By: Desert Jewels Nursery

    Vibrant golden yellow flowers on plants that have proven hardy in local gardens in zone 8.

    By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

    Gardening facts about Opuntia polyacantha plant

    How to Grow Opuntia polyacantha

    • 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

      • blue

    • Flower Color

      • pink
      • yellow

    • Wildlife

      • bees
      • hummingbirds
      • deer resistant
      • rabbit resistant

    • Fruit

      • purple

    • Flower Season

      • spring
      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    • Texture

      • glaucous

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