Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus - 3 Pads, Cold Hardy, 3-4 inch
(Opuntia humifusa var. humifusa) Common names: Smooth prickly pear, Indian fig, Devil’s tongue
These pads come from Southwest Virginia Zone 6. If I have rooted I will mail one pad with roots. They are easy to root by putting the cutting about 3" down in dirt in a sunny location. Growth will be seen and you may have flowers the first year. Please see health benefits of Prickly Pears including facials and ou are purchasing ONE easy to root cutting of this lovely Prickly Pear which will survive outside in the winter year after year in the harshest of climates. I started this small plant of about three pads about 15 years ago at my house in a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is completely covered in ice and snow over the winter and withstands our cold winter temperatures, which typically get down to -30° F.
I’ve easily propagated these pads numerous times in other places in my yard. Just put the cutting about 3" down in any kind of dirt in a sunny location and that’s about it. You won’t see much growth until the next year’s growing season, which is May-July. They can go right into the ground outside. These cacti get lemon yellow flowers in June, which you can see pictured in my photos from last season. It takes a few years to flower from a cutting. This makes for a very unique accent in your yard especially in the Midwest.
I’ve done some research and figured out that this variety is called Opuntia Cymochila, a variation of Plains Prickly Pear, which is listed as a Zone 3 plant. It does have edible fruit (packed with nutrients) which can be used in smoothies and jam, or you can eat them raw after removing the small spines with a knife. You will receive one pad (or multiple pads if you increase the quantity) that are approximately 5-6” in length and 4-5” wide or larger.
It is advised to use tongs or paper when handling the pads because they do have small spines that will stick in your skin. It is best to put the pads in dirt within a few days of arriving via USPS Mail,but they can survive out of dirt for weeks. If you live near Minneapolis, feel free to pickup the pads.
Add a touch of the southwest to your yard ...even in colder climates. Native to the lower 48 states of the U.S. and grown as far north as Ontario, the Eastern Prickly Pear is a tough, perennial cactus that has flat, fleshy pads (“nopales”) and produces showy, delicate, yellow flowers, followed by reddish-purpleish fruits (“tunas”). It is a simple, easy-to-grow and undemanding plant.
It can also serve as a food source as its fruits can be eaten fresh, cooked or dried, the pads can be roasted as a vegetable (similar to a green pepper), and the flowers and seeds are also edible. There are plenty of recipes and handling / preparation tips online. Plus, the cactus provides food and protection for wildlife and its flowers are attractive to pollinators. It is also deer resistant.
It can be grown as an indoor/outdoor plant or grow it directly in the ground as part of landscaping or as an outdoor potted plant as a great way to control spreading. Pads may deflate and shrivel during winter and colder months but will plump up in spring; this is a normal response to dormancy as the cactus withdraws water in colder temps. This cactus is highly salt-air tolerant so it also thrives in beach areas. Written planting instructions are included.
- Soil: Any well-draining, sandy, gravelly soil
- Light: Will thrive best in full sun
- Water: Minimal, drought-tolerant
- Blooms: Established plants bloom yellow flowers May-July; bright green new growth of pads starts in spring
- Hardiness: USDA Zones 4a-9a
- Mature Size: 6-12 in. tall, 12-18 in. wide; develops into colonies but may also grow individually
- Organic, untreated, non-GMO
- Grown without pesticides
- Photos are for reference only as I pull per order
- Pads may have slight natural imperfections but are free of any signs of disease
Tip for handling: These pads are spineless BUT have nearly-invisible, hair-like barbs (“glochids”). Be careful when handling - I usually chance it with my bare hands but gloves or tongs are recommended.
Planting Instructions: Allow the cut end to "heal" for at least a week or until it scabs over. Plant the pad cut-end down. Water lightly. It may need to be supported on either side until it grows roots; use stakes or other supports to hold it upright, if needed. After 3 to 4 weeks, test for new roots by tugging on the pad gently. If it resists, it has roots. If it comes loose, give it some more time. After it’s able to stand on its own, water the cactus sporadically.
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Shipping:
- Ships via USPS First-Class Package.
- Sorry, no shipping outside of US and US Territories and Minor Outlying Islands.
Thank you!