Plant Min Zone: 4a
Plant Max Zone: 8a
Sunlight: All Day Full Sun, Full Sun, Part Sun
Water / Rainfall: Very Low, Low
Soil Quality: Poor, Average
Bloom Season: Early Summer, Summer
Flower Color: Yellow
Berry / Fruit Color: None
Spring Foliage Color: Green
Summer Foliage Color: Green
Fall Foliage Color: Green
Evergreen Foliage: Yes
Winter Interest: Yes
Scented Flowers: No
Drought Tolerance: High
Wet-Feet Tolerance: Low
Humidity Tolerance: Low, Medium
Wind Tolerance: High
Poor Soil Tolerance: Sandy Soils, Rocky Soils, Alkaline Soils (high PH)
Height: 0.75' - 1'
Width: 1' - 3'
Growth Rate: Slow
Service Life: Long: 5-10 years
Maintenance Need: Low
Spreading Potential: Low
Yearly Trimming Tips: Yuccas and Cacti Need No Trimming Except to Remove the Dead Flower Stalk.
Plant Grouping Size: Specimen Planting of 1-3, Small Grouping of 3-5
Best Side of House: South Exposure, West Exposure
Extreme Planting Locations: Survives Under Roof Overhang, Thin Roof Garden Locations, Survives Severe Drought, Tolerates Extreme Heat, Resistant to Rabbits, Top of Retaining Wall Locations
Ornamental Features: Multiple Seasons of Interest
Special Landscape Uses: Naturalizing
Possible Pest Problems: Root Rot Disease, Mealy Bugs
Plant Limitations: Needs Excellent Drainage, Has Thorns
Plains Prickly Pear Cacti (Opuntia macrorhiza) have attractive green pads, brilliant yellow flowers in June, and pinkish maroon edible fruits afterward that last into winter. They are native to much of the Great Plains from Texas to Minnesota. Pads are sometimes carried off by animals and take root elsewhere. Grow this small native gem in rock gardens, dry shade areas, in parking lot medians, in cracks between rocks, or on top of or in a retaining wall. Although not picky about soils, just ensure that drainage is good. If grown in exterior pots and kept on the dry side, you may leave out all winter allowing to freeze solid; plants will go completely dormant and resume growth in the spring. Although these prickly pear have spines and glochids. (painful bristles that come off and irritate the skin for a few days) so be careful around children and pets. Great low maintenance cold hardy and very versatile plant!