Prickly Pear Engelmann’s

Opuntia engelmannii

Light

Water

Very low water once established. During prolonged hot, dry periods, water deeply every 3–4 weeks if needed, allowing soil to dry completely. Usually needs no supplemental winter water.

Size

4-6 ft tall × 6-8 ft wide

Habit

Prickly-pear/pad cactus

Toxicity

Non-toxic (spines)

Description

A Sonoran Desert native cactus with broad, flattened green pads, prominent spines, and colorful edible fruits.

Bloom Time

Spring to early summer

Deciduous / Evergreen

Evergreen

Special Features

Attracts Bees / Pollinators, Attracts Birds, Drought Tolerant, Edible, Thorny / Spiny

Growth Rate

Slow to moderate

Growth Habit

Prickly-pear/pad cactus

Mature Size

4-6 ft tall × 6-8 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, Hedge / Formal, Pollinator / Wildlife

Soil

Alkaline Tolerant, Sandy / Rocky, Well-Drained

Companion Plants

Brittlebush, Chuparosa, Desert marigold, Desert spoon, Fairy duster

Toxicity

Non-toxic (spines)

Non-toxic (fruit and pads edible); spines and glochids cause mechanical injury.

Care Instructions

Light: Full sun; tolerates light afternoon shade in Phoenix.

Water: Very low water once established. During prolonged hot, dry periods, water deeply every 3–4 weeks if needed, allowing soil to dry completely. Usually needs no supplemental winter water.

Soil: Well-drained sandy, gravelly, or rocky soil; tolerates alkaline desert soils. Avoid poorly drained clay unless planted on a raised mound.

Mature size: 4–6 feet tall and 6–10 feet wide; older clumps may spread farther.

Bloom: Spring to early summer, typically April–June in Phoenix.

Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen; photosynthetic pads persist year-round.

Growth rate: Moderate; slower with minimal water.