Opuntia ficus-indica, a cactus with edible fruit
Opuntia ficus-indica
- Exposure
- Sun
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 9b (-3.9°C ≤ T° < -1.1°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Cactaceae
- Genus
- Nopal Opuntia
- Species
- Prickly pear Opuntia ficus-indica
Other names:Platyopuntia ficus-indica, Opuntia vulgaris, Opuntia chinensis
Originating in the deserts of Mexico, Opuntia ficus-indica has gained ground. It can now be found in Europe, Africa and even Asia and Australia! But the prickly pear doesn't just squat in our gardens and living rooms. It has also made its way onto our plates.
How to recognize the Opuntia ficus-indica snowshoe cactus?
Opuntia ficus-indica is a shrubby cactus with an upright habit. In the ground, this succulent plant grows to over three meters in height.
The prickly pear has a trunk. These are actually old cladodes that have lignified with age. This distinguishes it from other species, such as opuntia stricta.
The stems are made up of flat, oval cladodes. They can measure over 40 centimetres in length. Green, they are covered with sturdy white spines, one to two centimetres long, and glochids, fine, prickly brown needles.
In summer, cup-shaped flowers bloom at the top of the cladodes. There is only one flower per areole, but a single racket can bear up to 30 buds. Flower color depends on the variety. The botanical Opuntia ficus-indica is yellow. There are also hybrids with white flowers (Opuntia ficus-indica Muscaredda) or red (Opuntia ficus-indica Sanguinea).
The flowers then turn into a fleshy, ovoid fruit filled with seeds. Called prickly pear, it can be yellow, red or white.
If it stings, Opuntia ficus-indica is not toxic. You can enjoy its fruits and cladodes. Once the thorns have been removed, they can be barbecued, served in salads or used to garnish tacos.
Our care tips
Opuntia ficus-indica is not a poisonous plant. But its prickles and thorns can cause damage. Always wear thick gloves and long sleeves when handling it.
Think carefully before planting opuntia ficus-indica in the ground. The plant reproduces easily and it can be difficult to control its growth.
Watering
Water when the soil has completely dried. You can use reclaimed rainwater or mains water, provided it is not too hard.
Avoid over-watering. Moisten the substrate without soaking it. Too much water can rot the plant.
Be sure to remove any stagnant water from the saucer or planter. It could also rot the roots.
Misting
Opuntia ficus-indica grow in arid regions and do not like humidity. No need to spray them.
Repotting
Every spring, repot your Opuntia ficus-indica to give it more space.
Repotting is easier when the old substrate is dry. Wait a few days after watering before installing your Prickly pear in its new pot.
Obtain a perforated pot slightly larger than the root ball. You can place a bed of gravel or clay balls at the bottom to optimize drainage.
Then pour in a layer of potting soil for cacti and succulents. Plant your Prickly pear in the center. Add substrate and tamp down.
Remember to wear gloves and long sleeves during the whole operation to protect yourself from thorns!
Fertilization
To promote the growth of your Opuntia ficus-indica, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.
Apply cactus and succulent fertilizer to promote growth.
Prune
You can prune your Prickly pear to control its shape and growth.
Using pliers, hold the cladode you wish to section. Cut it off at the base using clean, sharp secateurs.
Planting
When the risk of frost has passed, it's time to plant.
Choose a sunny, well-drained location. This could be the top of a slope, for example.
Dig a hole the size of the root ball. Plant your Prickly pear in the center and fill it in. You can use garden soil. If it's heavy, mix it with sand and pebbles.
Water for the first time to encourage rooting.
You can mulch the soil with gravel or a mineral material to keep the base of your Prickly pear dry.
Be sure to wear gloves and long sleeves to protect your skin from thorns and glochids.
Taking cuttings
Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
Locate a healthy racket at least ten centimetres long. Hold it with a pair of pliers. Cut at the base (where two cladodes meet) with sharp, clean pruning shears.
Leave your cutting to dry for seven to fifteen days in a dry place, until a callus forms at the base.
You don't have to cut a cladode. If a racket falls out (during repotting, for example), you can dry it out and replant it.
Pour a mixture of potting soil and sand into a pierced pot. Plant your cutting vertically.
Water well for the first time. Then stop watering until the first signs of growth appear.
Disease / Threat
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposure
- Sun
- Substrates
- Calcareous earthSandy soil
- Planting methods
- Open groundIn potsIn tubs
- Tags
- Edible fruitBeginnerInvasiveHard to kill
- Origin
- Central America
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 9b (-3.9°C ≤ T° < -1.1°C)
- Leaf color
- Light green
- Flower colors
- WhiteRedYellow
- Fruit colors
- WhiteRedYellow
Discover plants from the same family
Rabbit ear cactus
Opuntia microdasys
Erect nopal
Opuntia stricta
Christmas cactus
Schlumbergera truncata
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
