Eastern Prickly Pear

Opuntia Humifusa

Design with this plant

Overview

The Opuntia humifusa, commonly known as the Corrugated Prickly Pear, is a hardy, low-growing cactus native to North America. Its distinctive paddle-shaped segments are covered with corrugated, protective spines and bear vibrant yellow blooms in late spring, followed by edible red fruit. This drought-tolerant plant prefers full sun and well-drained soil, reaching up to 18 inches in height and spreading up to 30 inches. Ideal for xeriscaping and rock gardens.

Sun Full, HalfWater Low, Very LowZones 9–10Climate Arid

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — followed by edible red fruit

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — reaching up to 18 inches in height and spreading up to 30 inches

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — commonly known as the Corrugated Prickly Pear

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — low-growing cactus native to North America

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — Its distinctive paddle-shaped segments are covered with corrugated

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — This drought-tolerant plant prefers full sun and well-drained soil

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — followed by edible red fruit

Culture

Sun: Full, Half
Water: Low, 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 (100)

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — protective spines and bear vibrant yellow blooms in late spring

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — reaching up to 18 inches in height and spreading up to 30 inches

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — commonly known as the Corrugated Prickly Pear

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — low-growing cactus native to North America

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — Its distinctive paddle-shaped segments are covered with corrugated

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — This drought-tolerant plant prefers full sun and well-drained soil

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — followed by edible red fruit

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — Ideal for xeriscaping and rock gardens

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — The Corrugated Prickly Pear

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — is a resilient species of cactus native to many parts of the eastern United States

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — scientifically named Opuntia humifusa

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — and are adorned with tufts of 1 to 2 inch long

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — blue-green pads are covered with a pattern of raised bumps

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — Thriving in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — each averaging 2 to 3 inches in diameter

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — or as a ground cover in dry

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — yellow flowers in the garden

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — producing showy yellow flowers with red centers

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — plant the Corrugated Prickly Pear in well-drained soils

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — It's a low-maintenance choice for rock gardens

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — cactus / succulent with yellow blooms

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — cactus / succulent for full or half

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — Its distinctive paddle-shaped segments are covered with corrugated; it's a low-maintenance choice for rock gardens

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — commonly known as the Corrugated Prickly Pear; protective spines and bear vibrant yellow blooms in late spring

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