Bunny ears cactus (polka-dot cactus) Opuntia microdasys
Bunny ears cactus (polka-dot cactus) (Opuntia microdasys) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Cactaceae family, native to Chihuahuan Desert of northern Mexico. It grows 40–80 cm (16–31 in) tall and 40 cm–1 m (16 in–3.3 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -3 °C (27 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
Plan Bunny ears cactus (polka-dot cactus) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Bunny ears cactus (polka-dot cactus) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Mature height | 40–80 cm (16–31 in) |
| Mature spread | 40 cm–1 m (16 in–3.3 ft) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -3 °C (27 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 44 °C (111 °F) |
| Flowering | about 156–261 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Chihuahuan Desert of northern Mexico |
| Common in gardens of | 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇦🇺 Australia |
| Invasive in | Australia (opuntioid cacti are Weeds of National Significance), South Africa: check local rules before planting |
Is Bunny ears cactus (polka-dot cactus) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: glochids
Besides spines, the pads carry tufts of tiny barbed bristles (glochids) that lodge in skin and are hard to remove: handle with tongs and thick gloves.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Bunny ears cactus (polka-dot cactus)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Bunny ears cactus (polka-dot cactus)
- How far apart should I plant Bunny ears cactus (polka-dot cactus)?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40 cm–1 m (16 in–3.3 ft).
- Does Bunny ears cactus (polka-dot cactus) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Bunny ears cactus (polka-dot cactus) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Bunny ears cactus (polka-dot cactus)?
- It tolerates about -3 °C (27 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Bunny ears cactus (polka-dot cactus) flower?
- About 156–261 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.
- Is Bunny ears cactus (polka-dot cactus) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Besides spines, the pads carry tufts of tiny barbed bristles (glochids) that lodge in skin and are hard to remove: handle with tongs and thick gloves.
- What grows well with Bunny ears cactus (polka-dot cactus)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Bunny ears cactus (polka-dot cactus). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- LLIFLE Encyclopedia of Cacti and Succulents, LLIFLE (Living Encyclopedia), Italy
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
Notes and assumptions
- A plant of dry, sunny places: grow it in gritty, free-draining soil and water deeply but rarely; cold and wet together kill it faster than frost or drought.
- In frosty climates it is a classic pot plant for a bright windowsill, put outside in summer.
- Pairs of flat green pads like rabbit ears, dotted with neat tufts of golden glochids instead of spines. Looks soft and friendly but is not. Keep it in a pot: in Australia and South Africa its pads root and spread.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Prickly pear (nopal) Opuntia ficus-indica
- Golden barrel cactus Echinocactus grusonii
- Saguaro Carnegiea gigantea
- Fishhook barrel cactus Ferocactus wislizeni
- Teddy-bear cholla Cylindropuntia bigelovii
- Engelmann's prickly pear Opuntia engelmannii
- Organ pipe cactus Stenocereus thurberi
- Mexican giant cardón Pachycereus pringlei