Eastern prickly pear (hardy prickly pear) Opuntia humifusa
Eastern prickly pear (hardy prickly pear) (Opuntia humifusa) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Cactaceae family, native to Eastern and central North America, from Florida and Texas to Ontario and Massachusetts. It grows 15–40 cm (6–16 in) tall and 50 cm–1.5 m (20 in–4.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
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Eastern prickly pear (hardy prickly pear) at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Mature height | 15–40 cm (6–16 in) |
| Mature spread | 50 cm–1.5 m (20 in–4.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 60 cm (24 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 | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: ripe fruit (tunas; peeled), young pads (nopales, cooked) |
| Native to | Eastern and central North America, from Florida and Texas to Ontario and Massachusetts |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is Eastern prickly pear (hardy prickly pear) 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 Eastern prickly pear (hardy prickly pear)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Eastern prickly pear (hardy prickly pear)
- How far apart should I plant Eastern prickly pear (hardy prickly pear)?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50 cm–1.5 m (20 in–4.9 ft).
- Does Eastern prickly pear (hardy prickly pear) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Eastern prickly pear (hardy prickly pear) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Eastern prickly pear (hardy prickly pear)?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Eastern prickly pear (hardy prickly pear) flower?
- From about June for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Eastern prickly pear (hardy prickly pear) 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 Eastern prickly pear (hardy prickly pear)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Eastern prickly pear (hardy prickly pear). 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
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
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.
- A low, sprawling prickly pear that survives hard winters by shrivelling its pads flat and limp, then plumps them up again in spring. Big silky yellow flowers in early summer and red edible fruit. Grows on sand barrens, dunes and rocky outcrops.
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