Sprawling Prickly Pear

Opuntia Phaeacantha

Design with this plant

Overview

The Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia phaeacantha), a robust, drought-tolerant cactus, features paddle-like pads that can stretch up to 3 feet long. It produces yellow to orange blooms with a diameter of 2-3 inches, followed by purplish fruits. This low-maintenance plant thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, making it ideal for xeriscapes, rock gardens, and as a ground cover in USDA zones 6-11.

Sun Full, HalfWater LowZones 9–11Climate Arid

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

Culture

Sun: Full, Half
Water: Low
USDA zones: 9–11

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 (66)

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — cactus / shrub / succulent for full or half

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — The Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia phaeacantha); this low-maintenance plant thrives in full sun and

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — and as a ground cover in USDA zones 6-11; the Opuntia phaeacantha is an excellent choice for xeriscaping

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — This US native cactus has a sprawling habit and grows moderately to an average height of 2 to 3 feet, image 31

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — This low-maintenance plant thrives in full sun and well-draining soil; features paddle-like pads that can

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — scientifically known as Opuntia phaeacantha; cactus / shrub / succulent for full or half

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — making it ideal for xeriscapes; with a spread that can reach up to 4 to 6 feet

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — It is well-suited for USDA zones 6 through 9; yellow flowers in the garden

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — with a spread that can reach up to 4 to 6 feet; during the late spring to early summer

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — These pads can be up to 6 to 9 inches long; making it ideal for xeriscapes

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — The plant's surface is dotted with clusters of spines and barbed bristles known as glochids, image 35

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — which are edible and often attract local wildlife.<br><br>Due to its drought-tolerant nature; it is well-suited

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — which require careful handling - using gloves is advised; when incorporating this plant into your landscape

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — During the late spring to early summer; it produces yellow to orange blooms with a diameter of 2-3 inches

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — the Opuntia phaeacantha is an excellent choice for xeriscaping; it prefers full sun exposure and well-draining

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — It prefers full sun exposure and well-draining soil, making it a low-maintenance addition to any garden; the

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — Regular watering is necessary only during the hottest parts of the year or in exceptionally dry conditions; this

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — be mindful of its thorny presence and consider its placement away from high-traffic areas; cactus / shrub /

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — When incorporating this plant into your landscape designs; which are edible and often attract local

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — cactus / shrub / succulent with yellow blooms; which require careful handling - using gloves is advised

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — yellow flowers in the garden; and as a ground cover in USDA zones 6-11

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — The Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia phaeacantha); this low-maintenance plant thrives in full sun and, image 47

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — cactus / shrub / succulent for full or half; be mindful of its thorny presence and consider its placement away

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — features paddle-like pads that can stretch up to 3 feet long; these pads can be up to 6 to 9 inches, image 48

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

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

Giant Prickly Pear

Opuntia Robusta

Full · Zones 10–11

Beavertail Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia Basilaris) — The Beavertail Prickly Pear (Opuntia basilaris) is a charming, low-growing cactus, native to the Southwest

Beavertail Prickly Pear Cactus

Opuntia Basilaris

Full · Zones 7–11

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

Mexican Fencepost

Pachycereus Marginatus

Full · Zones 9–10