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    • Photo of Opuntia robusta flower by George Hull

    Photo by George Hull

    Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic

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    Opuntia robusta

    Also Known As

    • Dinner Plate Cactus
    • Giant Prickly Pear Cactus
    • Wheel Cactus

    Plant type

    shrub, cactus / succulent

    size

    • H: 3'-12'
    • W: 3'-20'

    planting zones

    • 8b-11

    More Options

    Opuntia robusta plant details

    Opuntia robusta is an evergreen cactus / succulent or shrub with blue foliage. In spring and summer yellow flowers emerge followed by red fruit. Features glaucous texture. Attracts hummingbirds. Grows well with sun - bright shade 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 robusta

    Plant type: cactus / succulent or shrub
    Plant family: cactaceae
    Foliage: evergreen blue
    Mature size: 3 FT - 20 FT - wide, 3 FT - 12 FT - tall
    Flowers: yellow blooms in spring and summer
    Uses: container plant, desert garden, rock garden, xeric

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Opuntia robusta

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

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Full Sun. Outdoor. Yellow.

    By: Moon - Sun Cactus & Koi Gardens

    The mother of all prickly pears! The gigantic, round, blue pads are truly larger than life, reaching as much as 20” across, and quite thick. The white spines are not terribly conspicuous, but huge yellow flowers and red fruits add to the impressiveness of this massive cactus. Not for small gardens, it may eventually reach 20' across and 6' tall or more! From relatively moist areas of Mexico, it will tolerate rain pretty well provided good drainage. It has been successful in Scappoose, Oregon, and should be hardy to about 10-15 °F.

    By: The Desert Northwest

    Gardening facts about Opuntia robusta plant

    How to Grow Opuntia robusta

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - bright shade

    • 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

      • hummingbirds
      • deer resistant
      • rabbit resistant

    • Fruit

      • red

    • Flower Season

      • summer
      • spring

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    • Texture

      • glaucous

    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
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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
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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

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