Engelmann's prickly pear Opuntia engelmannii
Engelmann's prickly pear (Opuntia engelmannii) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Cactaceae family, native to Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts. It grows 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft) tall and 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 1.8 m (5.9 ft) apart.
Plan Engelmann's prickly pear in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Engelmann's prickly pear at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Mature height | 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.8 m (5.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 8 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 50 °C (122 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: pads (nopales), fruit (tunas) |
| Native to | Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇲🇽 Mexico |
Is Engelmann's prickly pear toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not toxic; glochids (fine barbed hairs) irritate skin.
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 Engelmann's prickly pear
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Engelmann's prickly pear in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (4 plants)
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (3 plants)
- Desert Botanical Garden (12 plants)
- Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden (4 plants)
- Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (4 plants)
Questions about Engelmann's prickly pear
- How far apart should I plant Engelmann's prickly pear?
- About 1.8 m (5.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft).
- Does Engelmann's prickly pear need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Engelmann's prickly pear need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Engelmann's prickly pear?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
- When does Engelmann's prickly pear flower?
- From about April for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Engelmann's prickly pear poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not toxic; glochids (fine barbed hairs) irritate skin.
- What grows well with Engelmann's prickly pear?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Engelmann's prickly pear. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Desert Botanical Garden plant collections and trails, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
Notes and assumptions
- Desert plant: needs sharp drainage and little summer water once established; rots in wet, heavy soil.
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
- Organ pipe cactus Stenocereus thurberi
- Mexican giant cardón Pachycereus pringlei
- Dragon fruit (pitaya) Selenicereus undatus