Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa)

A surprisingly adaptable native cactus perfect for hard to fill sandy or rocky soils. Blooms are more frequent than other species of cactus. Requires well drained soil and at least a half day of sun. Tolerates humidity and winter weather. Range/species notes below.

Light: Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade

Soil Moisture: Mesic, Dry Mesic, Dry

Soil Type: Sandy, Rocky

Height: 9”-2’

Bloom Color: Yellow, Red

Bloom Time: Jun-Jul

Root Type: Fibrous

Notable Wildlife Interactions: Flowers attract bees. Hosts moths such as the cactus borer and arge tiger moth, and a few other insects. Seeds are eaten by turkey, and fruits are eaten by a wide variety of mammals including coyote, rabbit, skunk, and deer. Box turtles may feed on leaf pads.

Notes: Eastern Prickly Pear (formerly all O. humifusa) has recently been split into two species: O. humifusa (roughly mid Atlantic range) and O. cespitosa (see map). The northerly species is now called O. cespitosa, but our growers still use the previous species designation, which we will match for the time being. Range map is accurate!