Alba Bunny Ears

Opuntia microdasys var. albispina

Light

Water

Low water; water deeply only after soil dries completely. Container plants need more frequent checks during summer heat. Keep nearly dry in winter, especially during cold weather.

Size

2-3 ft tall × 3-5 ft wide

Habit

Prickly-pear/pad cactus

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Description

A compact, shrubby cactus with oval green pads dotted with dense white glochids, forming paired pads that resemble bunny ears. Commonly sold as Opuntia microdasys ‘Alba’.

Bloom Time

Spring to early summer

Deciduous / Evergreen

Evergreen

Special Features

Architectural Form, Drought Tolerant

Growth Rate

Slow

Growth Habit

Prickly-pear/pad cactus

Mature Size

2-3 ft tall × 3-5 ft wide

Flower Color

Yellow

Foliage Color

Gray-green pads with white glochid tufts

Landscape Use

Border / Bed, Cactus / Succulent Garden, Container / Patio, Desert / Xeriscape

Garden Style

Container / Patio, Desert / Xeriscape

Soil

Amended / Rich, Sandy / Rocky, Well-Drained

Companion Plants

Golden barrel cactus, Parry's agave, Red yucca, Santa Rita prickly pear

Non-toxic

Non-toxic; glochids embed in skin and eyes and cause physical irritation.

Care Instructions

Light: Full sun to light shade; afternoon shade is beneficial in Phoenix, especially for container plants. Acclimate gradually to direct desert sun.

Water: Low water; water deeply only after soil dries completely. Container plants need more frequent checks during summer heat. Keep nearly dry in winter, especially during cold weather.

Soil: Very well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil. For containers, use cactus mix amended with pumice or other mineral grit.

Mature size: Typically 2–3 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide.

Bloom: Occasional late-spring to early-summer flowers on established plants; flowering is uncommon in containers.

Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.

Growth rate: Slow to moderate, with most growth during warm weather.