Skip to content

Teddy Bear Cholla

Cylindropuntia Bigelovii

Design with this plant

Overview

Opuntia bigelovii, or Teddy Bear Cholla, is a striking desert cactus, reaching up to 5 feet tall. It's known for its dense, velvety-appearing spines that can detach easily and painfully adhere to anything that touches them. They require full sun and well-draining soils, thriving in USDA zones 9-11. This low-maintenance plant adds unique texture to xeriscapes but should be placed away from high-traffic areas due to its spiny nature.

Sun FullWater Low, Very LowZones 9–10Type Cactus, SucculentClimate Arid

Culture

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

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Cactus, Succulent
Family
Cactaceae
Climate
Arid

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

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (49)

Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia Bigelovii) — visually striking appearance
Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia Bigelovii) — Native to the deserts of the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico
Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia Bigelovii) — Opuntia bigelovii, or Teddy Bear Cholla, is a striking desert cactus, reaching up to 5 feet tall
Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia Bigelovii) — these spines are far from cuddly
Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia Bigelovii) — scientifically named Cylindropuntia bigelovii
Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia Bigelovii) — is a unique specimen highly regarded in arid landscape designs for its distinctive
Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia Bigelovii) — velvety-appearing spines that can detach easily and painfully adhere to anything that touches them
Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia Bigelovii) — They require full sun and well-draining soils, thriving in USDA zones 9-11
Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia Bigelovii) — fuzzy appearance reminiscent of a teddy bear - hence its common name
Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia Bigelovii) — drought-tolerant plant that provides year-round interest and a dramatic flair to the landscape; fuzzy appearance
Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia Bigelovii) — is a unique specimen highly regarded in arid landscape designs for its distinctive; cactus / succulent for full
Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia Bigelovii) — This cactus thrives in full sun and requires minimal water once established
Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia Bigelovii) — these spines are far from cuddly; inviting glow to landscape designs
Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia Bigelovii) — cactus / succulent for full
Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia Bigelovii) — They require full sun and well-draining soils, thriving in USDA zones 9-11; velvety-appearing spines that can
Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia Bigelovii) — inviting glow to landscape designs
Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia Bigelovii) — Native to the deserts of the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico; green and yellow flowers in the
Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia Bigelovii) — Opuntia bigelovii, or Teddy Bear Cholla, is a striking desert cactus, reaching up to 5 feet tall; scientifically
Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia Bigelovii) — This cactus thrives in full sun and requires minimal water once established; they require full sun and
Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia Bigelovii) — inviting glow to landscape designs; opuntia bigelovii, or Teddy Bear Cholla, is a striking desert cactus
Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia Bigelovii) — fuzzy appearance reminiscent of a teddy bear - hence its common name; is a unique specimen highly regarded in
Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia Bigelovii) — green and yellow flowers in the garden
Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia Bigelovii) — adding both texture and a warm; this cactus thrives in full sun and requires minimal water once established
Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia Bigelovii) — adding both texture and a warm
Photographs by 8 contributors

Related plants