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    • Photo of Opuntia humifusa flower by Kristine Paulus

    Photo by Kristine Paulus

    This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

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    Opuntia humifusa

    Also Known As

    • Opuntia compressa
    • Eastern Prickly Pear

    Plant type

    cactus / succulent, groundcover

    size

    • H: 5"-18"
    • W: 24"-36"

    planting zones

    • 4a-10b

    More Options

    Opuntia humifusa plant details

    Opuntia humifusa is an evergreen groundcover cactus / succulent with green foliage. In spring and summer chartreuse and yellow flowers emerge followed by purple and red fruit. Attracts bees and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - dappled shade and regular - 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, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Opuntia humifusa

    Plant type: groundcover cactus / succulent
    Plant family: cactaceae
    Foliage: evergreen green
    Mature size: 24 IN - 36 IN - wide, 5 IN - 18 IN - tall
    Flowers: chartreuse and yellow blooms in spring and summer
    Uses: border plant, container plant, desert garden, easy-to-grow, mass-planting, rock garden, xeric

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Opuntia humifusa

    USDA Zones: 4a - 10b
    Sun exposure: sun - dappled shade
    Watering frequency: regular - low
    Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat, humidity and verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Eastern prickly pear is native to eastern North America east of the Rockies including Ontario. It is a prostrate plant comprised of relatively large flattened pads for a species with such a northerly range. In summer it produces large two to three inch wide golden yellow flowers sometimes with peach or orange centres followed by edible reddish purple fruit. Plant in full sun in sharply draining soil.

    By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

    Opuntia humifusa is a small low growing pad cactus. It forms a beautiful display in spring when it flowers hundreds of bright yellow flowers with orange to red centers. It has lots of thorns and micro-thorns so be-careful weeding around it. Plants usually grow 4 to 8 inches high and from mats several feet round. A very hardy plant to zone 5 maybe lower.

    By: Brian's Botanicals

    Sun to light Shade. Outdoor. Diurnal Bright Yellow Blooms.

    By: Moon - Sun Cactus & Koi Gardens

    You know how there are dead strips that need vegetation but nothing will grow? This little native will fill the bill! Sidewalk strips surrounded by concrete, doggy "no-poop" zones will be filled with green pads and bright yellow flowers in early summer.

    By: Specialty Ornamentals

    Yellow flowers on prickly pads are great for the xeric garden and I challenge roving deer to try a bite.

    By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

    Collected on stable sand dunes in southern Indiana and given to us some years ago, this is a native of the eastern and central states. Five inch, rounded pads of bright green spread to fairly dense clumps, to about 6” high and 3 ft across in as many years. Chartreuse and yellow flowers appear in mid summer. These moisture tolerant cacti also tolerate drought; they need sun and an open spot to grow. Very good container or rock garden plants spilling nicely over any edges. Frost hardy to -30F or lower, USDA zone 4.

    By: Cistus Nursery

    Gardening facts about Opuntia humifusa plant

    How to Grow Opuntia humifusa

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - dappled shade

    • Water Needs

      • regular - drought tolerant

    • Water Needs

      • dry in winter

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • lean
      • well-drained
      • rocky
      • gritty

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • humidity tolerant
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • yellow
      • chartreuse

    • Wildlife

      • bees
      • hummingbirds
      • deer resistant
      • rabbit resistant

    • Fruit

      • red
      • purple

    • Flower Season

      • spring
      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

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