Prickly pear care guide
Opuntia
Also known as: Bunny ears cactus, Paddle cactus, Nopal
Pets and children
Caution advised
The tiny, hard-to-see glochids lodge in skin, mouths and paws, are difficult to remove and hurt badly; toxicity reports are few, but keep it out of reach and consult a veterinarian or doctor if glochids stick or it is eaten.
How often to water Prickly pear
- Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
- Every 10 days
- A summer grower: water well two or three days after the soil dries through, as a guide, in the evening in midsummer, and it generally takes heat well.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov)
- Every 14 days
- As it cools, stretch to about one to two weeks after the soil dries.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Every month
- Dormant: nearly dry, with a light watering about once a month on a warm morning, as a guide, and none for hardy types outdoors.
Light and placement for Prickly pear
A sunny, airy spot all year, as a guide: low light makes the new pads thin and misshapen, and while it takes full summer sun, a plant moved straight from indoors will scorch, so acclimate it gradually.
Overwintering Prickly pear
Overwintering guide: 0°C (32°F) or above
Hardiness varies a lot: ornamental kinds such as bunny ears want about 3 to 5°C and dry conditions, as a guide, while garden types shrug off frost and snow; rest pots dry at a sunny window indoors.
Fertilizing and repotting Prickly pear
Fertilizer
Feed lightly: diluted liquid fertilizer about once a month from April to September, or a small dose of slow-release in spring, and none in fall or winter.
When to repot
Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
Common problems with Prickly pear
- Touched bare-handed, the fine glochids stay in the skin and hurt.
- Short of light indoors, the new pads grow thin and lopsided.
- Watered in winter, the roots rot and the pads shrivel.
Tips for growing Prickly pear
- Glochids in the skin come out more easily with sticky tape.
- A single pad, cut off and dried, roots easily when stood in soil.
- Handle with thick leather gloves or wrapped in newspaper.
These are AI-generated general guidelines. They vary with the variety, the placement and the pot size. For effects on pets or children, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
Keep your plant log going
Greenery is a free app that keeps your plant care going, with watering reminders and photo records. Available on iOS and Android.
