Cactaceae
Opuntia polyacantha var. hystricina
Opuntia polyacantha var. hystricina var. hystricina
Also known as Opuntia erinacea var. rhodantha, Opuntia hystricina, Opuntia rhodantha var. spinosior, Opuntia erinacea var. hystricina
Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Cactus · Southwest · Xeriscape · Drought-Tolerant · Rock-Garden · Native · Opuntia · Spiny · Perennial · Desert
Porcupine prickly pear is a low-growing, spreading cactus native to the southwestern United States and well suited to dry, rocky landscapes. It requires very little water once established and performs best in full sun with excellent soil drainage. Its showy yellow flowers make it a striking addition to xeriscape or native plant gardens.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 hours
- Watering
- Water deeply but infrequently, allowing soil to dry completely between waterings · Every 3-4 weeks in growing season, monthly or less in winter
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 7–8.8
- Temperature
- -20°F to 90°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
Hardiness
USDA 5a-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 18 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 2 ft
- Spacing
- 36 in apart
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Yellow
- Foliage
- Green · Coarse
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies
Sources: trefle, usda
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