Opuntia

Opuntia microdasys

Angel's-wings

A succulent shrub native to arid regions of Mexico, this cactus stores water in its pads and wants deep but infrequent watering in fast-draining, gritty mix. Water only when the soil has dried out completely through the pot, and water still less in winter when growth slows. Give it the brightest, sunniest spot you have; the fine glochid bristles detach easily and irritate skin, so handle with care.

Opuntia basilaris

Bakersfield Beaver-tail Cactus

Opuntia basilaris is a beavertail prickly pear from the arid southwestern deserts of North America, a Cactaceae adapted to intense sun and long dry spells. Give it the brightest, most direct light you can and a gritty, fast-draining mineral mix. Water deeply only when the soil has been bone dry for several days, and cut back sharply in winter; sitting wet is the surest way to rot it.

Opuntia cochenillifera

Cochineal Cactus

A succulent tree-cactus native to the seasonally dry regions of Mexico, this Opuntia stores water in its flattened pads and is built to endure long dry spells. Give it the brightest, most direct light you can and a gritty, fast-draining mix, then water deeply only after the soil has gone completely dry to the bottom of the pot. It rots far more easily than it withers, so err toward neglect.

Opuntia polyacantha

Plains Prickly-pear

A succulent subshrub native to the arid plains and high desert of western North America, this prickly pear stores water in its pads and wants gritty, fast-draining mix and full direct sun. Water deeply only when the soil has dried out completely, letting it approach drought between drinks, as it rots far more readily than it goes thirsty. The native range spans cold-winter regions, so it tolerates dry air and cool conditions well.

Opuntia macrocentra

Purple Prickly Pear

Opuntia macrocentra is a desert prickly pear from the arid southwestern US and northern Mexico, built to store water in its flattened pads and endure long dry spells. Give it the brightest, most direct light you have and a gritty, fast-draining mineral mix. Water deeply only once the soil has been bone dry through the whole pot for a week or more, and back off sharply in winter when the plant is dormant.

Opuntia phaeacantha

New Mexico Prickly-pear

A hardy prickly pear from the arid southwestern US and northern Mexico, this succulent subshrub stores water in its flattened pads and is built for deep, infrequent drinks in gritty, fast-draining soil. Give it the brightest, sunniest spot you have and let the mix dry out completely; water only when it has been fully dry for several days, and err toward waiting longer. Sitting in damp soil is the main way to kill it.

Opuntia littoralis

Coastal Prickly-pear

A succulent shrub from the arid coastal scrub of California and northwestern Mexico, this prickly pear stores water in its flattened pads and wants deep but infrequent watering in fast-draining, gritty mix. Water only when the mix has gone completely dry well below the surface, and err toward drought, since standing moisture readily causes rot. Give it the brightest, most direct sun you can offer.

Opuntia cespitosa

Eastern Prickly-pear

A cold-hardy prickly pear native to open, sunny, well-drained ground across eastern and central North America, this succulent subshrub stores water in its flattened pads and rots if kept wet. Give it gritty, fast-draining mix and the brightest direct light you can offer, then water deeply only when the mix has gone completely dry — wait until the pads look slightly thinned or wrinkled before watering again. It tolerates dry household air and needs far less water in the cooler, low-light months.

Opuntia robusta

Wheel Cactus

Opuntia robusta is a robust succulent shrub from arid and semi-arid regions of Mexico, storing water in its thick, paddle-like pads. It wants gritty, fast-draining mineral soil and the brightest direct sun you can offer. Water deeply but infrequently, only once the mix has dried out completely; in winter or low light, extend the interval well past 30 days and err toward keeping it dry.

Opuntia rufida

Blind-cactus

A succulent shrub from the arid regions of northeastern Mexico and Texas, this prickly pear stores water in its pads and wants gritty, fast-draining mix and the brightest direct light you can give. Water deeply but infrequently, only once the soil has dried out completely to the bottom of the pot, and reduce further in winter. Sitting in damp soil will rot it, so err toward keeping it dry. Note that the fine glochid bristles detach easily and lodge in skin.

Opuntia macrorhiza

Twistspine Pricklypear

A cold-hardy prickly pear from arid and semi-arid North America, this succulent subshrub stores water in its pads and rots quickly if kept moist. Plant it in gritty, fast-draining mix and give it the brightest, most direct light you have. Water deeply only when the mix has gone completely dry, roughly every 2 to 4 weeks in active growth, and water far less in winter dormancy.

Opuntia dillenii

Sour Prickle

A succulent shrub in the cactus family, Opuntia dillenii stores water in its flattened pads and is built for arid, sun-drenched conditions. Give it bright direct sun and gritty, fast-draining mix, and water deeply only when the soil has dried out completely throughout the pot. It tolerates neglect far better than excess moisture, which rots the roots and pads.

Opuntia santa-rita

Santa Rita Prickly Pear

Opuntia santa-rita is a prickly pear cactus in the Cactaceae, built for arid, sun-baked conditions with its flattened, water-storing pads. Grow it in gritty, fast-draining mix and the brightest direct light you can offer, and water deeply only once the soil has dried out completely — a pad that looks slightly shrunken or wrinkled signals real thirst. It rots quickly if left sitting in moisture, so err firmly toward dryness.

Opuntia lindheimeri

Texas Prickly Pear

Opuntia lindheimeri is a succulent shrub in the Cactaceae, building water-storing pads that let it endure long dry spells. Give it the brightest, most direct light you have and a gritty, fast-draining mix. Water deeply only once the soil has gone completely dry through the pot, then let it dry out fully again before the next watering.

Opuntia leucotricha

Arborescent Pricklypear

A succulent shrub or tree cactus native to the arid regions of Mexico, storing water in its pads and rotting easily if kept wet. Plant it in gritty, fast-draining mix and give it the brightest direct light you can offer. Water deeply but infrequently, only once the soil has dried out completely and the pads feel firm rather than plump.

Opuntia tomentosa

Woollyjoint Pricklypear

A succulent shrub-to-tree prickly pear native to arid and seasonally dry regions of Mexico and Central America, where it stores water in fleshy pads and tolerates long dry spells. Grow it in gritty, fast-draining mix in the brightest direct light you can offer, and water deeply only once the soil has dried out completely to the bottom of the pot. It rots quickly if kept wet, so err toward neglect, especially in cool or low-light months.

Opuntia cacanapa

Ellisiana

Opuntia cacanapa is a prickly pear in the cactus family (Cactaceae), a group of arid-adapted plants that store water in their pads and rot if kept wet. Give it the brightest, sunniest spot you have and a gritty, fast-draining mix. Water deeply but infrequently, letting the soil dry out completely; wait until the mix is bone dry and the pads look slightly firm rather than plump before watering again.

Opuntia tunoidea

Carolina Prickly-pear Cactus

A succulent prickly-pear from the southeastern United States, this Opuntia stores water in its fleshy pads and is adapted to bright, exposed sites with sharp drainage. Give it the brightest direct sun you can and a gritty, fast-draining mix; water deeply only once the soil has gone completely dry, letting the interval stretch in cooler months. It rots far more readily than it withers, so when in doubt, wait.

Opuntia inaperta

Opuntia inaperta is a prickly-pear cactus native to the warm, seasonally dry regions of Gulf and southeastern Mexico, so it stores water in its pads and rots if kept wet. Plant it in gritty, fast-draining mix and water deeply only once the soil has dried out completely, letting it stay dry for a stretch between drinks. Give it the brightest, sunniest spot you have.

Opuntia karwinskiana

A Mexican prickly pear (Opuntia) in the cactus family, adapted to hot, arid conditions and bright sun. It stores water in its pads, so water deeply but infrequently, only once the soil has dried out completely to the bottom of the pot. Give it the brightest direct light you can and a fast-draining, gritty mix; standing moisture causes rot.

Opuntia lasiacantha

Red Prickly Pear

A succulent shrub-forming prickly pear native to arid and semi-arid Mexico, storing water in its flattened pads and built to endure long dry spells. Give it the brightest, most direct light you have and a gritty, fast-draining mix. Water deeply only when the soil has been completely dry for some time, and hold off entirely in cool or dim conditions, since standing moisture rots the roots and pads.