Consolea Species, Road Kill Cactus, Sour Prickly Pear

Consolearubescens

Family
Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)
Genus
Consolea (kon-SO-lee-uh)
Species
rubescens (roo-BES-enz)
Synonym
Opuntia rubescens
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
Spacing
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Hardiness
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)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color
Red
Orange
Bright Yellow
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Trees
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
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
From softwood cuttings
Allow cut surface to callous over before planting
From seed; direct sow after last frost
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:

Chandler Heights, Arizona

Gilbert, Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona

Surprise, Arizona

Pleasant Hill, California

San Diego, California

Thousand Oaks, California

Marathon, Florida

Melbourne, Florida

Sarasota, Florida

Titusville, Florida

North Las Vegas, Nevada

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

5
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
2
Menifee, CA (Zone 9a) | May 2017 | neutral

This plant LOOKS like an Opuntia, and has previously been CALLED 'Opuntia', --BUT-- it is NOT an Opuntia. It is instead: "Consolea rube...Read More

F
Titusville, FL (Zone 9b) | June 2016 | positive

I also received this as a cutting a few years ago.
Now its over 6 foot with a good sturdy trunk base and out stretched arms. It bl...Read More

C
Brookfield, IL | June 2014 | positive

I planted a small Road Kill in a container last spring and kept it outside all summer. In the fall, I transplanted it into a larger cont...Read More

O
Gilbert, AZ (Zone 9b) | August 2011 | positive

Nice rich green plant with an almost cartoon like appearance. It looks like it becomes more tree as it grows. It takes the AZ sun well ...Read More

D
Surprise, AZ | January 2011 | positive

My Roadkill started as a four inch cute lil cactus. Unbeknownst to me, it is now a ten foot tree like behemouth!!
Road kill is nam...Read More

X
Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9b) | October 2004 | neutral

Palmbob,
When someone gave me a piece of this, and said it was 'roadkill cactus'. I thought they were serious that it had been run...Read More

P
Acton, CA (Zone 8b) | July 2004 | positive

Tree-like prickly pear cactus from the Caribbean Islands. Not sure why it's called Road Kill Cactus... anyone know?

Featured
Sachem Skipper
(Atalopedes campestris)
Saffron Finch
(Sicalis flaveola)
Featured
Sachem Skipper
(Atalopedes campestris)
Saffron Finch
(Sicalis flaveola)