Opuntia polyacantha plant © gardenmedia / coolplants  

Opuntia polyacantha

Plains pricklypear

  • 30-40 cm high
  • Red to dark red flowers
  • Silvery-grey foliage
  • Semi-evergreen
  • Very hardy
syn. Opuntia rhodantha. Hardy cactus with oval, green discs and red-pink flowers.

Garden use

Use

Small groups

For wildlife and biodiversity

For bees For butterflies

Ornamental value and special features

Kitchen Semi-evergreen Foliage plant Bizarre Unusual flowers Very long ornamental value

Growth

Medium

Care

Experienced

Planting density

Plant about 5 - 7 plants per m²

Characteristics

Height 30 - 40 cm
Flowering time May - June
Flower colour Red
Leaf colour Green, Grey-green
Growth habit Wide
Growth rate Medium
Hardiness down to about -25°C

Site conditions

Light Full sun
Moisture Summer dry, Very dry, Dry
Soil Highly permeable, Pervious
Soil fertility None to little

Botanical information

Botanical name Opuntia polyacantha
Genus Opuntia
Family Cactaceae
Common names EN: Plains pricklypear
Synonyms Opuntia rhodantha
Origin America, North
Opuntia
OTHER COOL PLANTS