How to care for and propagate Opuntia engelmanniiOpuntia engelmannii care and propagation informationPin

Opuntia engelmannii var lindheimeri

Texas Prickly-pear

Posted by: Cassidy Tuttle | Updated:

This highly recognizable cactus has broad, flat pads covered in sharp pines. It is evergreen, and can grow tall. The pads are blue-green, and grow from a trunk. As it grows, it can spread out. Watch for yellow flowers that bear a purple fruit in the Spring.

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Quick Look:

  • Full sun to partial shade

  • Typical water needs for a succulent

  • Plant grows up to 5′ (1.5 m) tall
    Plant grows up to 8′ (2.4 m) wide

  • Zone 8a (Minimum 10° F | -12° C)

  • Not cold hardy

  • Propagation by stem cuttings and seeds

  • Generally non-toxic to people and pets. Be careful around spines

  • Winter Dormant
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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.

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