Opuntia humifusa - Prickly Pear Cactus

DESCRIPTION

Prickly Pear Cactus
Opuntia humifusa

The only cacti native to the eastern U.S., this easy to grow plant sports fleshy, green, prickly pads that are edible! Large, yellow flowers attract native bees when blooming in late June & July. Perfect for grouping in sandy soils, even its reddish fruits are edible in jellies or eaten raw.

Benefits

Outstanding and carefree in dry, well drained soil
Fruit and pads are edible when prepared correctly!
Rabbit resistant and highly drought tolerant
Fleshy pads store water for later use by the plant
Big yellow summer bloom is a native bee fave!

NATIVE INFO

Native Range

INTERESTING FACTS

The reddish fruits of the Prickly Pear Cactus are edible, suitable for making jellies or for consumption in their raw form.

GROWING TIPS

Prickly Pear Cactus is very drought tolerant, needing little to no water once fully established. Plant this cactus in full sun in sandy or rocky dry soils.

Mature Size: 6-12" Tall x 12-18" Wide

Hardiness Zone: 4-9

Sun Exposure: Full Sun

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American Beauties Offer Solution Based Plant Collections to Help you Choose

Quick Tips for Choosing Plants:

Planting a variety of native trees, shrubs, perennials and vines increases biodiversity and gives wildlife a source for food, cover and nesting
Choose a mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees so birds and other wildlife will always be able to find shelter
Plant trees and large shrubs where they will block winter winds from the house and shade it in summer, that will save energy and lower your carbon footprint
Try your best to buy plants that were grown locally, your independent garden center will be your best bet
Think about ultimate height and width of the plant you choose, make sure it will fit the space you have for it when it's reached maturity
Plant nectar plants in groups, to attract butterflies and other beneficial insects more easily
Ask for help if you need it. Most garden centers either have a landscape designer on staff or they can give you a reference of a designer that is adept at native plant wildlife gardening. There will be upfront costs but they are small when compared to having to redo a landscape that wasn't what you really wanted

Our Plant Tags Hold the Secrets to Success

Choosing the right plants for your garden can seem like a daunting task but we’re here to help. Our horticulturists have spent a considerable amount of time researching and writing our beautiful, American Beauties plant tags to help you be successful. First of all, when you see an American Beauties branded pot at your garden center you can be confident that the plant is native to your area and a responsible choice.

When you look at our tag you’ll find information about the plants natural habitat. That will give you a clue to how it will work in your backyard. For instance if the plant is naturally founded and moist, shade and you have full sun, it’s not the plant for you. The “Features” section gives you an overview or plant description so you’ll know what to expect. While the “Benefits” section talks about the plants strong suits and how the plant will benefit wildlife.

A Special Note About Exposure

Full sun: Prefers six or more hours of direct sunshine a day
Partial shade: Thrives in three to six hours of daily sunshine
Shade: Generally does well with less than three hours of sun per day. Having said that even shade loving plants will struggle in extremely deep shade.