Texas Prickly Pear
Texas Prickly Pear
–
Opuntia engelmannii var. lindheimeri
Opuntia engelmannii var. lindheimeri
Nopal, Tuna; Prickly Pear; Cow’s Tongue Cactus
South, central and west Texas, south to Mexico
4
–
6 feet
4
–
10 feet
Central Texas
Texas
Full Sun
Very Low
Flowering
Birds
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About This Plant
Sun or partial shade. Evergreen, with warm-colored flowers in early summer, followed by fruits that keep your mockingbirds busy for months. Prickly pear is a coarse, robust accent in any sunny area and makes a wildlife attractant as well as a great burglar bar.
It’s also a very easy shrub to grow; just take a pad from your favorite specimen and plant it about 1″ deep in a well-drained pot or directly in the ground. Give it room; it can be cut back, but it’s better to plan ahead so you won’t have to.
Maintenance
No supplemental water needed, but pruning (by lopping off pads every few years) can be a prickly chore.
Features
Plant Type:
Cactus and Succulent
Size:
4-6' H, 4-10' W
Sunlight Requirements:
Full Sun
Soil Types:
Sandy
Wildlife:
Bats, Birds, Butterflies
Flower Color:
Orange, Yellow
Bloom Time:
April, May, June
Freeze Hardy:
Yes
Invasive:
No
Caution:
None
Coupon Eligible:
No
This plant goes well with
Porleria angustifolia
Ipomoea cordatotriloba var. cordatotriloba
Yucca treculeana
Agave americana var. marginata
Dasylirion wheeleri
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