Opuntia Species, Eastern Prickly Pear, Low, Smooth Prickly Pear, Devil's Tongue

Opuntiahumifusa

Family
Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)
Genus
Opuntia (op-UN-shee-a)
Species
humifusa (hew-mih-FEW-suh)
Synonym
Opuntia austrina
Opuntia calcicola
Opuntia compressa
Opuntia fuscoatra
Opuntia impedata
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Height
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
Danger
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color
Bright Yellow
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Alpines and Rock Gardens
Groundcovers
Perennials
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Can be grown as an annual
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From woody stem cuttings
Allow cut surface to callous over before planting
Seed Collecting
Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds
Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Atmore, Alabama

Gaylesville, Alabama

New Market, Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Black Canyon City, Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona

Morrilton, Arkansas

Calabasas, California

Canoga Park, California

Clovis, California

Garden Grove, California

Yucca Valley, California

Abington, Connecticut

Bridgeport, Connecticut

Milford, Connecticut

South Lyme, Connecticut

Harrington, Delaware

Big Pine Key, Florida

Boca Raton, Florida

Cape Canaveral, Florida

Hampton, Florida

High Springs, Florida

Keystone Heights, Florida

Longwood, Florida

Merritt Island, Florida

Osprey, Florida

Sarasota, Florida

Sebring, Florida

Yulee, Florida

Atlanta, Georgia

Augusta, Georgia

Braselton, Georgia

Monroe, Georgia

Chicago, Illinois(2 reports)

Frankfort, Illinois

New Lenox, Illinois

Oak Lawn, Illinois

Watseka, Illinois

Anderson, Indiana

New Carlisle, Indiana

Parsons, Kansas

Louisville, Kentucky

Mc Dowell, Kentucky

Melbourne, Kentucky

Worthville, Kentucky

Falmouth, Maine

Brookeville, Maryland

Centreville, Maryland

Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Valley Lee, Maryland

Dracut, Massachusetts

Housatonic, Massachusetts

North Attleboro, Massachusetts

Townsend, Massachusetts

Detroit, Michigan

Galesburg, Michigan

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Bonne Terre, Missouri

Eunice, Missouri

Independence, Missouri

Maryland Heights, Missouri

Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey

Frenchtown, New Jersey

Milford, New Jersey

Neptune, New Jersey

Whiting, New Jersey

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Bronx, New York

Cobleskill, New York

Spring Valley, New York

Staten Island, New York

Cary, North Carolina

Clinton, North Carolina

Elizabethtown, North Carolina

Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Greenville, North Carolina

Newton Grove, North Carolina

Athens, Ohio

Bucyrus, Ohio

Cincinnati, Ohio

Cleveland, Ohio

North Olmsted, Ohio

North Ridgeville, Ohio

Youngstown, Ohio

Binger, Oklahoma

Cement, Oklahoma

Chickasha, Oklahoma

Clinton, Oklahoma

Corn, Oklahoma

Mcalester, Oklahoma

Medicine Park, Oklahoma

Mustang, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Pocasset, Oklahoma

Sulphur, Oklahoma

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Union City, Oklahoma

Watonga, Oklahoma

Weatherford, Oklahoma

Allentown, Pennsylvania(2 reports)

Butler, Pennsylvania

Greencastle, Pennsylvania

Irwin, Pennsylvania

Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania

Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania(2 reports)

Bluffton, South Carolina

Clemson, South Carolina

Conway, South Carolina

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Clarksville, Tennessee

Hendersonville, Tennessee

Jackson, Tennessee

Lebanon, Tennessee

Canton, Texas

Fredericksburg, Texas

Frisco, Texas

Shepherd, Texas

Whitesboro, Texas

Buchanan, Virginia

Fort Valley, Virginia

Leesburg, Virginia

Manassas, Virginia

Stafford, Virginia

Waverly, Virginia

Kent, Washington

Malaga, Washington

Orchards, Washington

Madison, Wisconsin

Prairie Du Sac, Wisconsin

Waukesha, Wisconsin

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

29
positives
5
neutrals
3
negatives
Sort By:
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B
Boston, MA (Zone 5b) | September 2019 | positive

I have been enamored with our only hardy native cactus here in New England. The tiny spines (glochids) itch like crazy when they inevitab...Read More

C
Boston, MA (Zone 6b) | November 2016 | positive

Grows very well in south Florida except ones that originate from a much more northern location don't flower as well in the springtime as ...Read More

C
ROSLINDALE, MA | October 2015 | negative

This isn't a groundcover, as it does not outcompete weeds. Keeping it weed-free entails encountering spines and glochids.

...Read More

B
Egg Harbor Township, NJ | August 2015 | neutral

Common to our local pine barrens, this plant will expand to an ugly, huge patch, with much dead material, and with the spines, impossible...Read More

M
M
Garden Grove, CA | May 2015 | neutral

This plant originates from Montana onto the Midwest. Here in Southern California, it doesn't do very well in full sunlight, as it gets pr...Read More

B
Housatonic, MA | February 2014 | positive

I have grown this plant successfully in the harsh Berkshires of Massachusetts for the past five years, and it regularly tolerates -20 tem...Read More

C
Crystal Lake, IL | July 2013 | positive

Amazing plant, grows like a weed. Cuttings root easily!

M
North Olmsted, OH (Zone 6b) | February 2013 | positive

I just got this plant last spring and have heard many great things about it. I have seen it growing all over North Olmsted and surroundin...Read More

A
Marineland, FL | December 2012 | negative

This plant is an unbelievably awful scourge in coastal Florida where I reside.
Any tiny section will propagate in the poorest of s...Read More

L
Wilkes-Barre, PA (Zone 6b) | April 2012 | positive

It's too bad many here are not aware that there is a cactus that can grow in PA- and is native. My sister had one in her zone 5/6 ...Read More

P
Black Canyon City, AZ | April 2012 | positive

Although somewhat confused I have some O. humifusa growing in my garden. I had to enclose them with wire fencing because javelina like to...Read More

M
Detroit Area, MI (Zone 6a) | September 2011 | positive

I have been growing Opuntia humifusa in Michigan for a while now.

D
Lebanon, TN | May 2011 | positive

I began my plant with two pads (or leaves) three years ago here in Lebanon, TN from a plant in Chattanooga, TN. From those two leaves, I...Read More

G
Parsons, KS (Zone 6b) | January 2011 | positive

This plant, based on my experience, tolerates more water than most opuntias. It is also easy to propagate through pad cuttings (be sure ...Read More

A
Albuquerque, NM (Zone 7a) | November 2010 | positive

I have been making jelly from the purple fruit of this plant for years. It is quite mild so this year I am adding some jalapeno juice to...Read More

C
Osprey, FL (Zone 9b) | November 2010 | positive

I eat this plant on a regular basis. It's a food source commonly used in Mexico. The pads are called Napols and when cooked the are cal...Read More

R
Pikesville, MD (Zone 7a) | June 2010 | positive

(Aside from my childhood horror stories of encountering the spines on this plant, I have a positive to offer...)

In the Pi...Read More

M
Yulee, FL (Zone 9a) | October 2009 | positive

Just lay a broken piece on top of the ground and it will root. Nothing bothers this plant.

C
Chicago, IL | March 2009 | positive

Has survived 3 Chicago winters with no protection. Yet to bloom though.

B
B
Union City, OK (Zone 7a) | March 2009 | positive

You can find this cactus just about anywhere in Oklahoma but is more noticeable in rocky and hilly areas of the state such as the Wichita...Read More

E
Fredericksburg, TX (Zone 8a) | March 2009 | neutral

This cactus grows all over where I live and if you are not careful - it will take over. Fortunately we have a lot of shade, so we do not...Read More

M
M
| November 2008 | positive

The form with the bright orange centre to the flower is absolutely stunning. Hardly a very prickly plant compared to some other opuntia s...Read More

1
Bluffton, SC (Zone 9a) | August 2008 | negative

im sorry to say this with all those that seem to love this plant, but this plant is all around awful. it is imho very ugly, and cheap-loo...Read More

S
Youngstown, OH | June 2008 | positive

Love this plant. We originally found a loose pad just lying on the ground of an island in the middle of the Hudson River in N.Y.
...Read More

C
Middle of, VA (Zone 7a) | April 2008 | positive

What a happy little plant! Nice and compact...petite little pads. Started with just one pad brought back from the beach. Didn't have a...Read More

C
Brookeville, MD (Zone 7a) | July 2007 | positive

I love this plant. When I first found out about it, I was amazed that a cactus was native to Maryland since I've always thought about cac...Read More

K
Highland Heights, KY (Zone 6a) | June 2007 | positive

My neighbor has these atop a long, low stone wall in front of her yard, and when they bloom, it's a lovely sight!

F
Worthville, KY (Zone 6b) | June 2007 | positive

This plant is extremely easy to propagate. It sometimes propagates itself by simply dropping a new leaf to the ground, where it almost im...Read More

S
suburban K.C., MO (Zone 6a) | June 2006 | positive

Neat cactus, good for northern climes.

R
Walkerton, VA (Zone 7a) | February 2006 | positive

American Indians poulticed peeled pads on wounds and applied the juice to warts, They dranks pad tea for lung ailments. In folk medicine,...Read More

F
Whitehall, PA | September 2005 | positive

withers in winter; plumps reliably in spring; numerous large (3.5 to 5 in) yellow flowers in mid-june; new specimens are easily grown ind...Read More

W
Wilson's Mills, NC | May 2005 | positive

LOVE this plant! In spite of the spines and glochids. It grows naturally in South Eastern NC. Wild animals, such as racoons love the frui...Read More

S
Broaddus, TX (Zone 8b) | January 2005 | positive

Sudie, Zone 8b Southeast TX
Potted rooted cutting in 5 gal. plastic pot. Placed in west flower bed. Prickly Pear gets good drain...Read More

J
J
Palmyra, IL (Zone 5b) | January 2005 | neutral

Primarily bees visit the flowers (both long-tongued and short-tongued), including Plasterer bees, Halictid bees, large Leaf-Cutting bees...Read More

X
Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9b) | December 2004 | positive

More synonyms are:
Opuntia compressa, Opuntia mesacantha, Opuntia italica, Opuntia rafinesquei, Opuntia fuscoatra, Opuntia alla...Read More

Opuntia vulgaris has been misapplied as a synonym in the past, and is not valid. Some still list it as a synonym though. It is actually a synonym of Opuntia ficus-indica as of the 2001 reclassifications.

This plant lies on the ground flat in the wintertime, very prostrate in the wintertime, sprawling out, less than 12 inches high. The pads look somewhat wrinkled laterally.
It is fairly rare but, some clones have gray or white spines which are borne on the areoles on the upper half of the pad only. They range from 0.8 to 2.0 inches long.

This is used medicinally for wounds, snakebites & warts by the Plains tribes in the Eastern U.S. Also used for mordant when dyeing.

Q
Q
Shepherd, TX (Zone 8b) | October 2004 | positive

The most common prickly pear dispersed throughout the state, it does well here, and can be invasive in a garden situation if not containe...Read More

P
Acton, CA (Zone 8b) | April 2004 | neutral

Small, sprawling prickly pear species native to the northeast US- grows great in Florida, and so-so in California. Here in S California ...Read More

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