Beavertail Cactus

Opuntia basilaris

Categories:

Cacti & Succulents ·

Prickly Pear

Light

Full sun

Water

Very low water once established. Water deeply but infrequently during prolonged hot, dry periods, allowing soil to dry completely between waterings. Keep mostly dry in winter.

Size

1-2 ft tall × 2-4 ft wide

Habit

Prickly-pear/pad cactus

Toxicity

Non-toxic (spines)

Description

A low-growing Southwestern native cactus with broad, flattened, beavertail-shaped pads and brilliant spring flowers. Pads usually lack large spines but bear tiny, irritating glochids.

Bloom Time

Spring

Deciduous / Evergreen

Evergreen

Special Features

Alkaline Soil Tolerant, Architectural Form, Attracts Bees / Pollinators, Colorful Foliage, Drought Tolerant, Showy Flowers

Growth Rate

Slow

Growth Habit

Prickly-pear/pad cactus

Mature Size

1-2 ft tall × 2-4 ft wide

Flower Color

Magenta to rose-pink

Foliage Color

Blue-gray to gray-green

Landscape Use

Border / Bed, Cactus / Succulent Garden, Container / Patio, Desert / Xeriscape, Groundcover, Pollinator / Wildlife Garden

Garden Style

Arizona Native, Container / Patio, Desert / Xeriscape, Pollinator / Wildlife

Soil

Sandy / Rocky

Companion Plants

Blackfoot daisy, Desert marigold, Golden barrel cactus, Red yucca, Small desert agaves

Non-toxic (spines)

Non-toxic (glochids and spines cause physical irritation)

Care Instructions

Light: Full sun; light afternoon shade can help in Phoenix locations with intense reflected heat.

Water: Very low water once established. Water deeply but infrequently during prolonged hot, dry periods, allowing soil to dry completely between waterings. Keep mostly dry in winter.

Soil: Excellent drainage is essential; sandy, gravelly, or rocky soil preferred. Use a raised mound or gritty cactus mix where drainage is poor.

Mature size: 1–2 feet tall and 2–4 feet wide; older clumps may spread farther.

Bloom: Spring, typically March through May in Phoenix.

Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen succulent with persistent pads.

Growth rate: Slow to moderate, depending on moisture and growing conditions.