Santa-Rita Tubac™ Prickly Pear
Opuntia violacea var. santa-rita
Full sun
Let soil dry completely between waterings.
THIS PLANT MAY BE AVAILABLE IN THESE STORES:
Due to the seasonal nature of plants, availability at your local garden center is not guaranteed. Give them a call before visiting.
- Summerwinds Garden Center
3160 S. Country Club Dr. Mesa AZ 85210
- Treeland Nurseries, Inc.
2900 S. Country Club Drive Mesa AZ 85210
- Lowe's
734 South Gilbert Road Gilbert AZ 85296
- Lowe's
2900 West Chandler Blvd Chandler AZ 85224
| Botanical Pronunciation | op-UN-shee-a vy-oh-LAH-see-uh |
|---|---|
| Lore | Prickly pear cactus has been a staple of the Mexican and Central American diet for thousands of years. In parts of the U.S. it has been gaining popularity as an exotic, gourmet and healthy addition to one's diet. The prickly pear plant has three different edible sections: the pad of the cactus (nopal), which can be treated like a vegetable, the petals of the flowers, which can be added to salads, and the pear (tuna), which can be treated like a fruit. |
| Average Size at Maturity | Slow to moderate growing; forms clumps 4 ft. tall, 6 ft. wide. |
| Bloom Time | Late Spring to Early Summer |
| Deciduous/ Evergreen | Evergreen |
| Flower Attribute | Showy Flowers |
| Flower Color | Yellow |
| Foliage Color | Green |
| Garden Style | Mediterranean, Rustic |
| Growth Habit | Columnar |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Landscape Use | Barrier, Container, Houseplant |
| Light Needs | Full sun |
| Special Feature | Dramatic Foliage Color, Easy Care, Waterwise |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Watering Needs | Let soil dry completely between waterings. |
| Companion Plants | Agave (Agave); Hens & Chicks (Echeveria); Sedum (Sedum); Red Yucca (Hesperaloe); Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe) |
Grows easily in average to lean, rocky, unimproved, fast-draining soils with low moisture. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish root system, allowing soil to become fairly dry between intervals. Once established, reduce frequency; tolerates drought. Avoid excess winter moisture. Fertilize sparingly in spring.
This Plant's Growing Zones: ALL
Your USDA Cold Hardiness Zone: 9
Grow Indoors in All Zones
Grow Outdoors in Zones: 8-11