Opuntia rufida (Prickly Pear)

Opuntia rufida (Prickly Pear) with pink pads and orange spines, close up plant.
Opuntia rufida (Prickly Pear) with rounded pink pads and fuzzy orange spines in a pot.

Botanical name: Opuntia rufida

Common name: Prickly Pear

Family: Cactaceae

Origin: Mexico

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 9-10

Small plant 2-5 ftPlant form: Small
Plant mature sizeMature height: 2-5 ft
Full sunSun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor
Cold toleranceCold tolerance: Frost sensitive. Protect from freezing.
Watering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryWater Requirement: Low. Allow soil to dry out between wateringsWatering: Moderate; tolerates dry conditions
Yellow, orange flowersFlower color: Yellow, orange
Suitable forSuitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing
Thorny or spinyThorns: Thorny or spiny

The plant is closely related to Opuntia microdasys, and is sometimes taken as its subspecies, Opuntia microdasys subsp. rufida.

Similar plants: Opuntia rufida (Prickly Pear)


Opuntia rufida (Prickly Pear) green plant with orange spots growing in a small brown pot.
Opuntia rufida f. minima
Opuntia rufida (Prickly Pear) with round grey-green pads and orange glochids, close up plant
Opuntia rufida (Prickly Pear) with flat round pads covered in many small orange colored spines
Opuntia rufida (Prickly Pear) pale green plant with small brown spikes, close up.
Opuntia rufida (Prickly Pear) with pads covered in short brown glochids and spikes.


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/opuntia_rufida.htm
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