Prickly pear (nopal) Opuntia ficus-indica
Prickly pear (nopal) (Opuntia ficus-indica) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Cactaceae family, native to Central Mexico (cultigen). It grows 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) tall and 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -7 °C (19 °F). Space plants about 2 m (6.6 ft) apart.
Plan Prickly pear (nopal) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Prickly pear (nopal) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Mature height | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 2 m (6.6 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 | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -7 °C (19 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 45 °C (113 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: young pads (nopales, cooked), fruit (tunas, peeled), flowers |
| Native to | Central Mexico (cultigen) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇵🇪 Peru |
| Invasive in | South Africa (NEMBA 1b), Australia (declared weed in several states): check local rules before planting |
Is Prickly pear (nopal) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: spines, glochids
Barbed glochids and spines cause painful skin and mouth injuries; the flesh itself is not toxic.
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 Prickly pear (nopal)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Prickly pear (nopal) in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (4 plants)
- Desert Botanical Garden (3 plants)
Questions about Prickly pear (nopal)
- How far apart should I plant Prickly pear (nopal)?
- About 2 m (6.6 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft).
- Does Prickly pear (nopal) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Prickly pear (nopal) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Prickly pear (nopal)?
- It tolerates about -7 °C (19 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Prickly pear (nopal) flower?
- From about May for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Prickly pear (nopal) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Barbed glochids and spines cause painful skin and mouth injuries; the flesh itself is not toxic.
- What grows well with Prickly pear (nopal)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Prickly pear (nopal). 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).
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Spiny forms are a declared invasive weed in several countries; spineless cultivars are safer to handle. Hardy to roughly USDA zone 8b when kept dry in winter.
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
- 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
- Dragon fruit (pitaya) Selenicereus undatus