Plant care guide
Prickly pear cactus
Opuntia sp. · Cactaceae
A prickly pear cactus with flattened, oval green pads (cladodes) and small areoles. The exact species is unclear from the photo.
Plant care
- Light
- Full sun; acclimate gradually if moved from shade.
- Watering
- During warm, active growth, roughly every 2–4 weeks if rainfall is limited; much less in winter. Water only when the soil is completely dry several inches down. Let excess water drain fully; never water on a fixed schedule if soil remains damp.
- Soil
- Very well-draining cactus soil, preferably gritty or sandy, in a container or site without standing water.
- Humidity
- Average outdoor humidity is suitable; avoid persistently wet, poorly ventilated conditions.
- Temperature
- Warm conditions preferred; many species tolerate light frost, but protection depends on the species.
- Toxicity
- Glochids and spines can injure skin. Handle with thick gloves; ingestion may cause irritation.