Opuntia humifusa
Eastern prickly pear, Low prickly pear, Smooth prickly pear
Also known as Opuntia caespitosa, Opuntia allairei, Opuntia rubiflora, Opuntia calcicola, Opuntia compressa
- Height × spread
- 0.3m × 1m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 10C & above (RHS H1b)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A hardy prickly pear cactus. This makes spreading mats of broad oval pads - actually - stem segments. These may measure around 10cm in length with a 6cm width. They have smooth surfaces that are coloured green, and which may have some reddish infusion. The surface is dotted with widely spaced spots (called areoles) that each carry a few yellow or brown hairs (glochids) and a spine. The plant makes a spreading clump and can produce yellow cupped shaped flowers followed by purple red fruits. The plant has medicinal value. Beware the spines and the bristles which can break and become attached to the skin! They enjoy being grown in the ground rather than being confined to a pot. Give these well drained soil, preferably sandy but with some organic matter, and a sunny sheltered spot. They can be killed by too much wetness in winter. They also benefit from regular feeding in spring and early summer, which will encourage regular flowering. This makes a spreading plant up to 30cm high with a spread of up to 1 metre.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Purple, Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cone
- Height
- 0.3m
- Spread
- 1m
- Spread in 10 years
- 0.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 10C & above (RHS H1b)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- full light at all times
- Indoor temperature
- 10C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- Yes, leaves & stems are prickly/thorny and potentially harmful; Humans: Irritant to skin/eye
AutumnNow
Autumn-Winter · Indoors
Keep dry during dormancy
Keep dry during the period of dormancy or resting, which is likely to be from the middle of the autumn until spring.
Autumn-Winter · Outdoors
Keep dry during dormancy
Keep dry during the period of dormancy or resting, which is likely to be from the middle of the autumn until spring.
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth
Adopt a regime whereby plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth
Adopt a regime whereby plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Summer
Summer-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with cactus feed
Use specialist cactus feed and apply monthly from June until September, using the quantity advised on the container .
Summer-Autumn · Outdoors
Feed with cactus feed
Use specialist cactus feed and apply monthly from June until September, using the quantity advised on the container .
Planting & general
Indoor temperature · Planting
10C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 10 Centigrade.
Compost · Planting
Cactus compost for repotting
Use standard cactus compost. Top the soil with grit or granite chips to ensure perfect drainage around plant stem. Repot when the plant is dry and delay watering for 3 days after repotting.
You can also make own compost using 3 parts John Innes no. 2, 1 part horticultural grit, and 1 part horticultural grade perlite or pumice. There are many 'recipes' available and opinions vary widely - consult specialist literature or websites.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a sunny spot, eg windowsill
Give this plant a position where there is as much light and sunlight as possible. It is suitable for sunny windowsills as it can cope with high day temperatures and lower night temperatures.