trefle.io · Taken Jul 16, 2017 by Gerard Voiland (cc-by-sa)
Cactaceae
Indian-fig
Opuntia ficus-indica
Also known as Prickly pear, Mission cactus, Barbary fig, Cactus ficus-indica
Edibles & Herbs · Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Cactus · Prickly Pear · Drought Tolerant · Edible Cactus · Xeriscape · Full Sun · Succulent · Desert Plant · Ornamental Cactus
Indian-fig cactus is an exceptionally drought-tolerant plant that requires full sun and very well-draining soil to thrive. Water sparingly, especially in winter, and handle with care due to its sharp spines and fine glochids. It produces large, showy yellow flowers followed by edible prickly pear fruit prized in cuisine worldwide.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 8 hours
- Watering
- Water thoroughly then allow soil to dry completely before watering again · Every 14-21 days
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 7–8.5
- Temperature
- -20°F to 90°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 5a-10b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 18 in
- Spacing
- 72 in apart
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Yes
- Foliage
- Coarse
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Arizona, Assam, Azores, Baleares, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, California, Canary Is., Cape Provinces, Cape Verde, China South-Central
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies, Birds
Sources: trefle, usda
More Opuntia
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Opuntia polyacantha var. hystricina
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Cliff prickly-pear
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