Cow’s Tongue

Opuntia engelmannii var. linguiformis

Categories:

Cacti & Succulents ·

Prickly Pear

Light

Full sun

Water

Very low water once established. During prolonged hot, dry weather, water deeply about every 3–4 weeks only if soil has dried completely; generally withhold irrigation in winter.

Size

4-6 ft tall × 6-10 ft wide

Habit

Prickly-pear/pad cactus

Toxicity

Non-toxic (spines)

Description

A distinctive prickly pear cactus with elongated, tongue-shaped green pads bearing spines and tiny, barbed glochids; commonly listed as Opuntia engelmannii var. linguiformis.

Bloom Time

Spring

Deciduous / Evergreen

Evergreen

Special Features

Attracts Bees / Pollinators, Attracts Birds, Drought Tolerant

Growth Rate

Moderate

Growth Habit

Prickly-pear/pad cactus

Mature Size

4-6 ft tall × 6-10 ft wide

Flower Color

Yellow

Foliage Color

Blue-green

Landscape Use

Border / Bed, Cactus / Succulent Garden, Desert / Xeriscape, Pollinator / Wildlife Garden

Garden Style

Arizona Native, Desert / Xeriscape, Pollinator / Wildlife

Soil

Alkaline Tolerant, Sandy / Rocky

Companion Plants

Blackfoot daisy, Desert spoon, Golden barrel cactus, Red yucca, Santa Rita prickly pear

Non-toxic (spines)

Non-toxic if ingested; spines and glochids cause mechanical injury

Care Instructions

Light: Full sun; tolerates light afternoon shade in Phoenix. Acclimate nursery-grown plants gradually to intense sun and reflected heat.

Water: Very low water once established. During prolonged hot, dry weather, water deeply about every 3–4 weeks only if soil has dried completely; generally withhold irrigation in winter.

Soil: Excellent drainage is essential; sandy, gravelly, or rocky soil preferred. Tolerates alkaline desert soils; use raised planting areas in heavy clay.

Mature size: Typically 4–6 feet tall and 6–10 feet wide; may spread farther as fallen pads root.

Bloom: Spring to early summer, typically April–June in Phoenix; established plants can bloom annually.

Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.

Growth rate: Moderate; faster with occasional summer irrigation and good drainage.