ENGLEMANN’S PRICKLY PEAR
Englemann’s Prickly Pear
Opuntia englemannii
| Category | Cactus & Succulent |
| Size | 4′ x 8′ |
| Flower Color | Spring to Early Summer |
| Flower Season | Spring to Early Summer |
| Exposure | Full/Reflected Sun |
| Water | Low |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Hardiness | 10°F |
| Notes | Colorful fruit attracts birds in the summer |
Description
Englemann’s Prickly Pear is native to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts. The sage green pads of this cactus blend well in desert landscapes and provide a great backdrop for the colorful fruit that adorns the pads in the summer months. The fruit is green at first, changing to red, then purple. Large yellow flowers in the spring add another season of color. Englemann’s prickly pear grows to form a large clump about 4 feet tall by 8 feet wide.
Maintenance
Englemann’s Prickly Pear is very drought tolerant, needing little to no water once fully established. Plant in full sun or reflected heat locations in soil with good drainage. Like other prickly pears, it is susceptible to cochineal scale infestations. Spaying the scale off with water can help control it. To prevent shriveling during dry periods, water established plants (those that have been in the ground at least two years) every two or three weeks in the summer, every month or less in winter.