Skip to content
Log inStart trial

Sprawling Prickly Pear

Opuntia Phaeacantha

Design with this plant

Overview

The Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia phaeacantha), a robust, drought-tolerant cactus, features paddle-like pads that can stretch up to 3 feet long. It produces yellow to orange blooms with a diameter of 2-3 inches, followed by purplish fruits. This low-maintenance plant thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, making it ideal for xeriscapes, rock gardens, and as a ground cover in USDA zones 6-11.

Sun Full, HalfWater LowZones 9–11Type Cactus, Shrub, SucculentClimate Arid
Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — be mindful of its thorny presence and consider its placement away from high-traffic areas

Culture

Sun
Full, Half
Water
Low
USDA zones
9–11

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Cactus, Shrub, 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 (86)

Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — It is well-suited for USDA zones 6 through 9
Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — cactus / shrub / succulent with yellow blooms
Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — The Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia phaeacantha); this low-maintenance plant thrives in full sun and
Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — yellow flowers in the garden; and as a ground cover in USDA zones 6-11
Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — cactus / shrub / succulent for full or half; be mindful of its thorny presence and consider its placement away
Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — The Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia phaeacantha); this low-maintenance plant thrives in full sun and, image 47
Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — The plant's surface is dotted with clusters of spines and barbed bristles known as glochids
Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — It is well-suited for USDA zones 6 through 9; yellow flowers in the garden
Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — It is well-suited for USDA zones 6 through 9; yellow flowers in the garden, image 56
Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — The Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia phaeacantha)
Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — Regular watering is necessary only during the hottest parts of the year or in exceptionally dry conditions
Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — It prefers full sun exposure and well-draining soil, making it a low-maintenance addition to any garden
Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — During the late spring to early summer; it produces yellow to orange blooms with a diameter of 2-3, image 60
Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — When incorporating this plant into your landscape designs
Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — cactus / shrub / succulent with yellow blooms; which require careful handling - using gloves is advised
Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — This low-maintenance plant thrives in full sun and well-draining soil; features paddle-like pads, image 50
Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — The plant's surface is dotted with clusters of spines and barbed bristles known as glochids, image 58
Sprawling Prickly Pear (Opuntia Phaeacantha) — During the late spring to early summer
Opuntia Phaeacantha
Opuntia Phaeacantha
Opuntia Phaeacantha
Opuntia Phaeacantha
Opuntia Phaeacantha
Opuntia Phaeacantha
Photographs by 7 contributors

Related plants

Argentine Saguaro (Echinopsis Terscheckii) — cactus for full

Cactus

Argentine Saguaro

Echinopsis Terscheckii

FullUSDA 9–10
Balloon Cactus (Parodia Magnifica) — cactus for full; the Balloon Cactus will enhance any landscape design with its unique shape and alluring, image 72

Cactus

Balloon Cactus

Parodia Magnifica

FullUSDA 9–11
Beavertail Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia Basilaris) — and its carefree maintenance requirements will assure them of its suitability for their garden

Cactus

Beavertail Prickly Pear Cactus

Opuntia Basilaris

FullUSDA 7–11
Black-Spine Prickly Pear (Opuntia Macrocentra) — It features large, flat, blue-green pads, with contrasting long black spines up to 2 inches long

Cactus

Black-Spine Prickly Pear

Opuntia Macrocentra

FullUSDA 8–11
Blue Candle (Myrtillocactus Geometrizans) — dark red fruits resembling blueberries; which transform into edible

Cactus

Blue Candle

Myrtillocactus Geometrizans

FullUSDA 9–10
Blue Cereus (Cereus Hexagonus) — offers a distinctive sculptural aesthetic to any landscape design

Cactus

Blue Cereus

Cereus Hexagonus

FullUSDA 9–10