Old Man Prickly Pear

Opuntia Erinacea

Design with this plant

Overview

The Old Man Prickly Pear, or Opuntia erinacea, is a striking cactus native to the Southwest. Characterized by its dense cover of white or yellow spines that resemble an old man's beard, this plant typically reaches 2-3 feet in height. Drought-resistant, it requires minimal maintenance and thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. It blooms bright yellow flowers in late spring, adding a vibrant touch to arid landscapes.

Sun Full, HalfWater Very LowZones 9–10Climate Arid

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — this plant typically reaches 2-3 feet in height

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 (77)

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — It blooms bright yellow flowers in late spring, adding a vibrant touch to arid landscapes; evoking the, image 49

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — is a visually captivating species of cactus that excels in arid; the Old Man Prickly Pear exhibits yellow, image 50

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — Known for its distinctive spiny exterior and tough demeanor; characterized by its dense cover of white or, image 51

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — the cactus earns its name from the grayish-white; hair-like spines covering its paddle-like pads, image 52

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — hair-like spines covering its paddle-like pads; during the late spring to early summer, image 53

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — evoking the image of an elderly gentleman's beard; the Old Man Prickly Pear, or Opuntia erinacea, is a, image 54

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — the Old Man Prickly Pear is remarkably drought-tolerant once established; pads are succulent and, image 56

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — it is important to consider its mature size; cactus for full or half, image 57

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — Ideal for USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11; the cactus earns its name from the grayish-white, image 55

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — Planting it in areas away from high foot traffic is advisable; it is important to consider its mature size, image 62

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — The cactus typically grows up to 2 to 3 feet in height and can spread equally as wide; known for its, image 58

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — Pads are succulent and typically range from 6 to 12 inches long; the cactus typically grows up to 2 to 3, image 59

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — During the late spring to early summer; cactus with pink and yellow blooms, image 60

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — the Old Man Prickly Pear exhibits yellow to rose-colored flowers; is a visually captivating species of, image 61

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — pink and yellow flowers in the garden; it blooms bright yellow flowers in late spring, adding a vibrant, image 64

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — cactus with pink and yellow blooms; the Old Man Prickly Pear is remarkably drought-tolerant once, image 65

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — cactus for full or half; or providing a barrier to prevent accidental contact, image 66

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — The Old Man Prickly Pear, or Opuntia erinacea, is a striking cactus native to the Southwest, image 67

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — or providing a barrier to prevent accidental contact; pink and yellow flowers in the garden, image 63

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — is a visually captivating species of cactus that excels in arid; the Old Man Prickly Pear exhibits yellow, image 72

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — Characterized by its dense cover of white or yellow spines that resemble an old man's beard; ideal for, image 68

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — It blooms bright yellow flowers in late spring, adding a vibrant touch to arid landscapes; evoking the, image 71

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — Drought-resistant, it requires minimal maintenance and thrives in full sun with well-drained soil; this, image 70

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — this plant typically reaches 2-3 feet in height; planting it in areas away from high foot traffic is, image 69

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