Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear

Opuntia Lindheimeri

Design with this plant

Overview

Opuntia lindheimeri, commonly known as Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear, is a resilient cactus reaching up to 6 feet in height, spread across an equal span. Its distinctive elongated, flat pads resemble bovine tongues, with areoles producing yellow blossoms about 3 inches across. This drought-tolerant species thrives in USDA zones 8-11, requiring well-draining soil and full sun. Ideal in xeriscapes, it adds a sculptural dimension and a hint of desert charm.

Sun Full, HalfWater Very LowZones 9–10Climate Arid

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — commonly known as Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — is a resilient cactus reaching up to 6 feet in height

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — spread across an equal span

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — Its distinctive elongated

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — flat pads resemble bovine tongues

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — with areoles producing yellow blossoms about 3 inches across

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — This drought-tolerant species thrives in USDA zones 8-11, requiring well-draining soil and full sun

Culture

Sun: Full, Half
Water: Very Low
USDA zones: 9–10

Shape & size

Classification

Family: Cactaceae
Climate: Arid

See full data, regional cultivation notes, full-resolution photos, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (23)

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — commonly known as Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — is a resilient cactus reaching up to 6 feet in height

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — spread across an equal span

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — Its distinctive elongated

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — flat pads resemble bovine tongues

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — with areoles producing yellow blossoms about 3 inches across

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — This drought-tolerant species thrives in USDA zones 8-11, requiring well-draining soil and full sun

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — Ideal in xeriscapes, it adds a sculptural dimension and a hint of desert charm

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — offers a distinctive sculptural presence within a landscape design

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — commonly referred to as Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — This succulent perennial is native to North America

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — green-to-blue-green pads that can grow up to 12 inches in length and 6 to 7 inches across

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — particularly thriving in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — the Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear pads resemble the elongated tongue of a cow

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — These paddle-shaped pads are dotted with clusters

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — Blooming typically occurs in the late spring to early summer

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — of small spines that can grow approximately 1 to 3 inches long

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — providing a seasonal display of color.<br><br>For optimal growth

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — producing vibrant yellow flowers that later develop into purple fruits

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — Opuntia lindheimeri requires full sun exposure and well-drained soils

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — It is drought-tolerant once established and grows best in temperatures above 20 degrees Fahrenheit

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — With a mature height and spread of about 3 to 5 feet

Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia Lindheimeri) — this prickly pear makes a hardy

Related plants

Red Torch Cactus (Echinopsis Huascha) — commonly known as Red Torch Cactus

Red Torch Cactus

Echinopsis Huascha

Full · Zones 9–11

Engelmann's Prickly Pear (Opuntia Engelmannii) — Engelmann's Prickly Pear (Opuntia engelmannii) is a resilient cactus, ideal for arid landscapes

Engelmann's Prickly Pear

Opuntia Engelmannii

Full · Zones 9–10

Saguaro (Carnegiea Gigantea) — The Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) is an iconic cactus native to the Sonoran Desert

Saguaro

Carnegiea Gigantea

Full · Zones 10–10

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — The Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia phaeacantha)

Sprawling Prickly Pear

Opuntia Phaeacantha

Full · Zones 9–11

Giant Prickly Pear (Opuntia Robusta) — or Silver Dollar Giant Prickly Pear Cactus

Giant Prickly Pear

Opuntia Robusta

Full · Zones 10–11

Mexican Fencepost (Pachycereus Marginatus) — is an eye-catching columnar cactus

Mexican Fencepost

Pachycereus Marginatus

Full · Zones 9–10