Plant encyclopedia›many-spined prickly pear

many-spined prickly pear

Also known as: Heacock's prickly pear

A spreading, perennial cactus that can reach up to 2m across comprising low mats of pad-like stem segments up to 40cm tall. The oval or circular, mid-green, flattened stem segments are covered in areoles each with woolly brown fibres and often with spines up to 5cm long. Solitary yellow or magenta flowers up to 7.5cm across are borne in summer at the ends of the stem segments

Scientific classification

Species: many-spined prickly pear (Opuntia polyacantha)
Genus: Opuntia
Family: Cactaceae

Skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Toxicity: Cactus Succulent · Conservatory Greenhouse
Plant type: 0.1-0.5 metres
Height: 1.5-2.5 metres
Spread: Evergreen
Foliage: Bushy
Habit: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
Season of interest: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

many-spined prickly pear pictures

Distribution of many-spined prickly pear

Distribution map

Canada USA Mexico

Information to be completed

Culture

Information to be completed

Toxicity

Skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling

Quick identification of many-spined prickly pear

Information to be completed

many-spined prickly pear care guide

Thorough water only when soil fully dry, fully stop watering winter
Watering: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Thorough water only when soil fully dry, fully stop watering winter

Fertilizing

Low-nitrogen cactus feed monthly in warm active growth months

Pruning

No pruning required

Propagation

Propagate by seed in spring or root stem segments in summer. Handle segments with folded newspaper to avoid touching spines

Growing

Under glass grow in sharply-draining loam based compost (JI No2) with added sharp sand or perlite, or a proprietary cactus compost. Provide full light at all times and allow compost to dry before watering during growth period in spring, summer and early autumn and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser three or four times. Withhold water and fertiliser in winter when dormant. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further advice

More growing and care information →