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Opuntia humifusa

Prickly Pear (Devil's Tongue, Compressed Cactus)

A winter hardy cactus with waxy, yellow blooms lasting one day and producing small, prickly, red fruit. The flat, fleshy, blue-green to green pads are covered in finely barbed bristles.

  • »  AKA Opuntia compressa, Opuntia rafinesquei
  • »  Waxy yellow flowers grow singularly or in small clusters along the top edge of the cactus pad
  • »  Blooms last one day
  • »  Edible, small oval bristly red fruit follow the flower and turn yellow when ripe
  • »  Flat fleshy oval pads are covered in fine barbed bristles
  • »  Each pad is about 25 cm long, 15 cm wide and 3 cm thick
  • »  Old pads are bluish-green and new growth is mid-green
  • »  Evergreen and very drought-tolerant
  • »  Bloom Time: May to July

9cm Potted
$12.78
1 Litre
$17.33
1gal
$20.83
  • Category:Perennials
  • Hardiness Zone:3
  • Height:20-30 cm
  • Spread:75-90 cm
  • Bloom Color: Yellow
Exposure
Full Sun
Soil Moisture
Average to Dry Soils
Well-drained
Growth Rate
Slow
Flowering Time
Spring
Lt. Spr-Sum
Summer
Habit
Clumping
Compact
Foliage Color
Blue
Green
Planting instructions
Container Plants
Additional Information about Opuntia humifusa

Native to Ontario

Growing & Maintenance Tips for Opuntia humifusa

Thrives in at least a half day of sun in dry, sandy or rocky soils. Loamy soils are tolerated if well-drained. Can be found in sandy woodlands, prairies, rocky bluffs, sand dunes, and gravelly areas along railroads.