photos of prickly pear cactus Potted Prickly Pear Cactus - Opuntia Cactus6" Pot Prickly Pear Cactus Usually comes WITHOUT PADS or with only MINIMUM PADS *Spineless Opuntia Cactus: Does not have long sharp spines. The tiny glochids (short prickles) can be irritating to the skin if the plant is not handled correctly. When handling the cactus, grab the stalk pads where it is smooth and waxy, between the glochids; the dots small bumps on the pads. Each bare rooted cactus stalk will come with either no pads or with only a few

6" Pot Prickly Pear Cactus - Usually comes WITHOUT PADS or with only MINIMUM PADS 

*Spineless Opuntia Cactus: Does not have long sharp spines. The tiny glochids (short prickles) can be irritating to the skin if the plant is not handled correctly. When handling the cactus, grab the stalk/pads where it is smooth and waxy, between the glochids; the dots/small bumps on the pads.

Each bare-rooted cactus stalk will come with either no pads or with only a few (typically 1 to 3) pads.  Pads can be gently separated/twisted off of the main stalk and propagated/rooted out in soil to grow additional cactus, or be used as a tasty snack for your hungry arid-dwelling critters!

*The plant pictured is not necessarily the plant you will receive, but will be same size and shape.*

Common Name: Prickly Pear Cactus

Scientific Name: Opuntia cochenillifera

The Dude recommends utilizing this BioShot for desert terrarium plants.

-Care Recommendations By The Dude-

Best for These Animals: Desert and arid dwelling reptiles such as bearded dragons, uromastyx, certain desert snakes, and more!

Bio Dude Substrates: TerraSahara, some TerraAranea 

Soil Depth: All soil depths with proper drainage.

Lighting: High.

Humidity & Misting: 0%-40%; none required.

Mature Plant Size & Root System: Opuntia are relatively fast-growing cacti with succulent paddle-like leaves which are very sturdy. The paddles may be easily pruned (and propagated!) as desired.  They have a shallow fibrous root system that may eventually grow mature thick main roots for anchorage.

Temperature Tolerance & Placement in the Terrarium: High heat/drought tolerant. Best used as a background or corner piece. 

Edible & Side Effects if Ingested: Non-toxic if consumed, and Opuntia in general are an extremely healthy nutrient source in which you can feed your reptiles. Naturally high in calcium and vitamins, Opuntia is a great option for your omnivores as a supplemental snack and will naturally encourage foraging in your reptiles.  They also produce an edible, bright red fruit (technically a berry).

Pot Size & Packaging: A single Opuntia plant is shipped bare root, wrapped in paper and packaged individually when ordered.