Cactaceae
Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea
Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea var. erinacea
Also known as Opuntia erinacea, Opuntia polyacantha subsp. erinacea, Opuntia hystricina var. bensonii, Opuntia ursina
Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Cactus · Prickly Pear · Opuntia · Xeriscape · Desert Plant · Drought Tolerant · Southwest Native · Rock Garden · Succulent · Spiny
Mojave prickly pear is a low-growing, spreading cactus native to the deserts and dry slopes of the American Southwest, prized for its showy yellow to pink flowers and tolerance of harsh conditions. Plant in full sun with exceptionally well-drained, sandy or rocky soil and water only sparingly — overwatering is the primary cause of failure. It is an excellent choice for drought-tolerant xeriscape landscapes, rock gardens, and native desert plantings.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 8 hours
- Watering
- Water deeply but infrequently, allowing soil to dry out completely between waterings · Every 14-21 days in summer; every 30+ days in winter
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 7–8.8
- Temperature
- -10°F to 85°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
Hardiness
USDA 5a-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 18 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 2 ft
- Spacing
- 24 in apart
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Yes
- Foliage
- Coarse
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Arizona, California, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Nevada, Utah
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Birds
Sources: trefle, usda
More Opuntia
Related plants from the same genus
Erect prickly-pear
Opuntia stricta
Full Sun · Low · Moderate
Indian-fig
Opuntia ficus-indica
Full Sun · Low · Slow
Opuntia polyacantha var. polyacantha
Opuntia polyacantha var. polyacantha
Full Sun · Moderate · Fast
Opuntia polyacantha var. hystricina
Opuntia polyacantha var. hystricina
Full Sun · Moderate · Fast
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