Prickly Pear Purple

Opuntia macrocentra
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
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.