Skip to content

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 9–10Type Cactus, SucculentClimate Arid
Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — reaching up to 18 inches in height and spreading up to 30 inches; low-growing cactus native to North, image 73

Culture

Sun
Full, Half
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 (120)

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) — It's a low-maintenance choice for rock gardens
Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — blue-green pads are covered with a pattern of raised bumps; cactus / succulent for full or half, image 79
Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia Humifusa) — This drought-tolerant plant prefers full sun and well-drained soil; plant the Corrugated Prickly Pear in, image 94
Opuntia Humifusa
Opuntia Humifusa
Opuntia Humifusa
Opuntia Humifusa
Opuntia Humifusa
Opuntia Humifusa
Opuntia Humifusa
Opuntia Humifusa
Opuntia Humifusa
Opuntia Humifusa
Opuntia Humifusa
Opuntia Humifusa
Opuntia Humifusa
Opuntia Humifusa
Opuntia Humifusa
Opuntia Humifusa
Opuntia Humifusa
Opuntia Humifusa
Opuntia Humifusa
Opuntia Humifusa
Photographs by 4 contributors

Related plants