Prickly Pear Cactus | Yellow Orange Flowering Cactus

Prickly Pear Cactus

5 Gallon

$79.90

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Prickly Pear Cactus

Opuntia ficus -indica

A majestic, tree-like cactus with showy yellow-orange flowers, sweet edible fruits, and iconic sculptural form.

$79.90

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

The Prickly Pear Cactus is a majestic, tree-like succulent celebrated for its large, paddle-shaped stems, vibrant spring flowers, and delicious, edible fruits. Native to Mexico but naturalized throughout warm, arid regions worldwide, this iconic cactus has been cultivated for centuries for its fruit (tunas), edible young pads (nopales), and striking architectural form . It develops a thick, woody trunk over time, forming an impressive, multi-branched specimen that can reach 15 feet or more. In late spring to early summer, it produces an abundance of large, showy flowers in shades of bright yellow to orange, followed by juicy, egg-shaped fruits that ripen from green to deep red or orange. Exceptionally drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, it is a superb choice for water-wise gardens, edible landscapes, and creating a bold, sculptural focal point in frost-free climates.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Foliage & Flowers: Large, flattened, oval to oblong, fleshy green to gray-green pads (cladodes) with clusters of sharp glochids (fine barbed bristles) and occasional larger spines; showy, cup-shaped, bright yellow to orange flowers (3-4 inches wide) in late spring to early summer .
Fruit: Oval to pear-shaped, fleshy, juicy fruits (tunas) ripening from green to deep red, orange, or yellow in late summer to fall; edible sweet flesh with numerous hard seeds .
Mature Height: 10-15 ft (can reach 16-18 ft in ideal conditions)
Mature Spread: 8-15 ft
Growth Rate: Moderate
Hardiness Zones: USDA 8-11 ; Sunset 8-9, 12-24, H1, H2
Light Requirement: Full sun
Core Benefits: Striking architectural form, showy yellow-orange flowers, edible fruits and pads, exceptional drought tolerance, long-lived, versatile
Best Uses: Xeriscape gardens, edible landscapes, desert gardens, rock gardens, specimen plant, living fences, coastal gardens (with protection)

Q: How do I harvest and prepare the fruit (tunas) without getting glochids?
A: The fruits are covered in fine, barbed bristles (glochids) that can be irritating. Wear thick rubber gloves and use tongs to hold the fruit. Rinse the fruit thoroughly, then use a knife to peel away the skin from top to bottom, or burn off the glochids by briefly passing the fruit over an open flame . The sweet flesh inside is then ready to eat fresh or process.

Q: How do I harvest and prepare the pads (nopales)?
A: Harvest young, tender pads (6-8 inches long) using a sharp knife, again wearing thick gloves. Remove the glochids by scraping with a knife or burning them off . Peel the edges and any tough spots, then rinse. Nopales can be grilled, boiled, or sautéed; they have a slightly tart, green bean-like flavor and a mucilaginous texture that firms up with cooking .

Q: How much water does it need?
A: It is highly drought-tolerant once established and thrives on natural rainfall in most climates. For optimal fruit production, occasional deep watering during the dry season (especially when fruit is developing) can improve yields . Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot.

Q: Is it cold hardy?
A: It is reliably hardy in USDA zones 8-11, tolerating brief temperatures down to about 15-20°F (-9 to -6°C) when dry . In colder zones (USDA 7 and below), it should be grown in a container and moved to a protected, frost-free location for winter.

Q: How do I prune a prickly pear cactus?
A: Prune in late winter or early spring to shape and control size. Use long-handled loppers or a saw, wearing thick gloves and long sleeves for protection. Remove entire pads by cutting at the joint (where pads connect). Remove dead, damaged, or overcrowded pads to improve air circulation and light penetration . Let cut ends callous over for a few days before discarding to prevent rooting.

Q: Is it invasive?
A: Opuntia ficus-indica can naturalize in warm, arid climates and may spread by dropped pads that root . While it is a cultivated species and not considered as aggressively invasive as some other opuntias, it is best planted with awareness of its potential spread. In some regions (notably Australia and South Africa), it is considered an environmental weed. Check local guidelines before planting .