Melinda Myers

Prickly Pear Cactus

Botanical Name

Opuntia compressa

Min Zone

5

Max Zone

10

Height

8 to 12 inches

Width

12 to 18 inches

Flowers

Early summer: yellow

Fruit

Dark red 1 inch, oblong

Light

Full sun

Soil

Well-drained, dry

Planting & Care

• New plants can be propogated by placing the pads in moist sand
• Be carefull when gardening around these plants as the thin, reddish-brown hairs found in bundles along the surface can easily become loged in the skin
• Plants will become shriveled and begin to lie down as the plants withdraw water in preparation for winter

Problems

None serious