Prickly Pear Cactus

Opuntia humifusa

Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa) is a slow-growing succulent, hardy in USDA zones 4-9, that matures to about 0.5-1 ft × 1-1.5 ft. It does best in full sun with low water needs in well-drained, occasionally-dry and very-dry soil. Expect yellow and red blooms in summer. It attracts bees, stands up well to deer, drought and dry soil.

USDA zones

4-9

Sun

Full sun

Water

Low

Mature size

0.5-1 ft × 1-1.5 ft

Growth rate

Slow

Maintenance

Low

Soil

Well-drained, Occasionally-dry, Very-dry

Bloom color

Yellow, Red

Bloom season

Summer

Attracts

Bees

Tough against

Deer, Drought, Dry soil, Heat, Rabbits, Salt

Native to

Eastern and central United States