Prickly Pear Purple

Opuntia macrocentra

Light

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

2-4 ft tall × 4-6 ft wide

Habit

Prickly-pear/pad cactus

Toxicity

Non-toxic (spines)

Description

A Southwestern prickly pear with flattened blue-green pads that develop purple tones, especially during cool weather or drought, and long, dark spines near the upper pad edges.

Bloom Time

Spring (April-May)

Deciduous / Evergreen

Evergreen

Special Features

Attracts Bees / Pollinators, Cold Hardy, Drought Tolerant, Heat Tolerant

Growth Rate

Slow to moderate

Growth Habit

Prickly-pear/pad cactus

Mature Size

2-4 ft tall × 4-6 ft wide

Flower Color

Yellow with red center

Foliage Color

Blue-green flushing deep purple

Landscape Use

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

Garden Style

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

Soil

Sandy / Rocky

Companion Plants

Blackfoot daisy, Desert marigold, Golden barrel cactus, Parry's agave, Red yucca

Non-toxic (spines)

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

Care Instructions

Light: Full sun to light shade; some afternoon shade is beneficial in Phoenix’s hottest exposures. Acclimate gradually to intense 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.

Soil: Excellent drainage is essential; sandy, gravelly, or rocky soil preferred. In heavy soil, plant on a raised mound or berm.

Mature size: Typically 2–3 feet tall and 3–6 feet wide.

Bloom: Spring, typically March through May in the Phoenix area.

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

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