Opuntia microdasys, the cactus with rabbit ears
Opuntia microdasys
- Exposure
- Sun
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 9a (-6.7°C ≤ T° < -3.9°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Cactaceae
- Genus
- Nopal Opuntia
- Species
- Opuntia microdasys
Other names:Opuntia microdasys var. pallida, Opuntia macrocalyx, Opuntia microdasys subvar. albiflora, Opuntia microdasys var. albispina, Opuntia microdasys var. laevior, Opuntia microdasys var. minor, Opuntia pulvinata
Nicknamed Mickey's Ear or Rabbit's Ear Cactus because of its round leaves, Opuntia microdasys is native to Mexico. But don't be fooled by its apparent softness, this cactus is not lacking in spice!
How to recognize Opuntia microdasys, the rabbit's ear cactus?
Opuntia microdasys is a racket cactus with a bushy habit. Smaller than opuntia tomentosa, it doesn't grow more than a metre high when grown in pots. But it can grow up to two meters wide if given enough room.
The stems are made up of several flat cladodes. The youngest grow on top of the oldest, forming phylloclades. Elliptical, even rounded, green cladodes measure between six and fifteen centimetres long and four to twelve centimetres wide.
Phylloclades appear spotted with brown, white or yellow. These peas are actually areoles, bristling with glochids. They may look as soft as chinchilla fur from a distance, but it's best not to touch them. The sharp prickles dig into the skin as soon as you touch them.
When a new cladode grows, it's not unusual for it to be hemmed in with cylindrical green leaves. This deciduous foliage never lasts very long. It falls off after a few days.
The yellow flowers, too, are ephemeral. They live for just one day.
They then give rise to round, red fruits with white pulp.
Like many succulents, Opuntia microdasys is non-toxic. But even though it has no spines, wear thick gloves and long sleeves when handling it. These glochids can be irritating and very difficult to remove. The only exception is Opuntia microdasys var. Albatus, with its soft, harmless needles.
Our care tips
Opuntia microdasys 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 microdasys 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 microdasys grow in arid regions and do not like humidity. No need to spray them.
Repotting
Every year in the spring, repot your Opuntia microdasys to give it more space.
Repotting is easier when the old substrate is dry. Wait a few days after watering before installing your Rabbit ear cactus 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 Rabbit ear cactus 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 microdasys, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.
Apply cactus and succulent fertilizer to promote growth.
Prune
You can prune your Rabbit ear cactus 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 Rabbit ear cactus 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 Rabbit ear cactus 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
- Category
- Succulent
- Tags
- BeginnerHard to kill
- Origin
- Central America
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 9a (-6.7°C ≤ T° < -3.9°C)
- Leaf color
- Light green
- Flower color
- Yellow
- Fruit color
- Red
Discover plants from the same family
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
