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Opuntia cespitosa

eastern pricklypear

Cactaceae Eastern and central North America

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterVery Low · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 4–9

Overview

Opuntia cespitosa is a low, spreading cactus that grows 6-14 inches (15-35 cm) tall and forms clumps 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) wide of flattened, jointed green pads. The pads are oval to round, 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long, and store water, with a surface that wrinkles when dry. They carry tufts of tiny barbed glochids and, on many plants, one or more stout spines per areole. Yellow flowers 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) across, often with a red to orange center, open in early summer and last a day or two each. Red to purple fleshy fruit 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) long follow and ripen in fall, holding flat seeds. The pads shrivel and lie flat against the ground in winter cold, then plump up and stand again in spring. It withstands hard frost and drought but rots in wet, poorly drained ground. The glochids detach easily and lodge in skin.

Native Range

Native to eastern and central North America, from Ontario and the Great Lakes south to the southeastern United States, on dry, sunny sites. Grows on rock outcrops, sand prairies, dunes, and open glades on sharp-draining soils.

Suggested Uses

Planted in rock gardens, gravel gardens, dry slopes, and green roofs in cold-winter regions, spaced 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) apart. The flowers draw native bees, and the fruit feeds birds and mammals. Its glochids and spines make it less suited to plantings beside paths, play areas, or pet runs.

How to Identify

Recognized by low clumps of flat, jointed green pads bearing barbed glochid tufts and, on most plants, stout spines, with yellow red-centered flowers in early summer and red fruit in fall. Separated from Opuntia humifusa, which is usually spineless or nearly so, by its more frequent stout spines and red-centered flowers.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 1'2"

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowers in late spring and early summer, mainly May through June, opening in midday sun. Each flower lasts one to two days, and a clump blooms over about 2-3 weeks. Bloom is heavier on plants in full sun and lean soil.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow with red center

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.8(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun on sharp-draining sandy, gravelly, or rocky soil and tolerates heat, drought, and winter cold well below freezing. It needs little or no irrigation, and wet or heavy soil in winter causes rot. Pads root where they touch soil, so clumps widen and detached pads start new plants. The barbed glochids lodge in skin and are slow to remove, which complicates handling near paths. The species has few pests, though cochineal scale and a soft rot can appear. Plants are long-lived and need almost no care once placed in suitable ground.

Pruning

Remove individual pads at the joint with tongs to control size or shape the clump. Cut out shriveled, rotting, or frost-damaged pads at the base. Detached pads can be left to callus and replanted to make new plants.