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

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!