Care and Propagation Information
General Care for Opuntia engelmannii var lindheimeri “Texas Pricklypear”
Opuntia engelmannii var lindheimeri “Texas Pricklypear” is an excellent cacti to plant in your outdoor succulent garden. It is resistant to deer, and its flowers provide nectar for bees and hummingbirds.
Watering
Opuntia engelmannii var lindheimeri “Texas Pricklypear” has typical watering needs for a succulent. It's best to use the “soak and dry” method, and allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Where to Plant
“Texas Pricklypear” is not cold hardy, so if you live in a zone that gets colder than 10° F (-12° C), it's best to plant this succulent in a container that can be brought indoors. It does well in full to partial sun.
Plant in an area of your garden that gets 6 hours of sunlight a day. If overwintering indoors, place in a room that gets a lot of sunlight, such as near a southern-facing window (if you're in the Northern Hemisphere). You may need to supplement with a grow light.
How to Propagate Opuntia engelmannii var lindheimeri “Texas Pricklypear”
Opuntia engelmannii var lindheimeri “Texas Pricklypear” can be propagated from stem cuttings or seeds.
Cuttings
To grow “Texas Pricklypear” from cuttings, use a sterile, sharp knife or pair of scissors. Remove a stem from the main plant, and allow it to callous for several days before placing on well-draining soil. Water whenever the soil has dried out completely.
Learn more about propagating cactus pads in this post.
Seeds
With some effort, seeds from “Texas Pricklypear” can be harvested from the fruit of a mature plant. Allow the fruit to over-ripen, then remove the seeds. Clean the seeds and let them dry before planting in well-draining soil.
Learn more about propagating from seed in this post.
