prickly pear cactus spines Opuntia engelmannii

prickly pear cactus spines Opuntia engelmanniiOpuntia engelmannii Engelmann's Prickly Pear is an evergreen shrub like cactus with thick, flattened, oval, green gray pads typically covered with golden glochids and whitish tan 1 in. spines. In spring to early summer, beautiful 2 3 inch wide, rose shaped yellow to orangey red flowers appear attractive to pollinators. (see photos) Pollinated flowers give way to large, red, apple like edible fruits, hence; the common name Apple cactus. These juicy

Opuntia engelmannii

Engelmann's Prickly Pear is an evergreen shrub-like cactus with thick, flattened, oval, green-gray pads typically covered with golden glochids and whitish tan 1 in. spines. In spring to early summer, beautiful 2-3 inch wide, rose-shaped yellow to orangey-red flowers appear attractive to pollinators. (see photos) Pollinated flowers give way to large, red, apple-like edible fruits, hence; the common name Apple cactus. These juicy fruits were critically important for all indigenous peoples, and are loved equally by all forms of wildlife. Although its distribution is centered in Arizona, many subspecies exist in all surrounding Southwest states & Texas. Easy to grow, especially from cuttings. All zones are indoor/outdoor houseplants. 

Growth Guide

These key details will help you understand how your plant will grow and what conditions bring out its best.

     Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

    Watering: Low

     Mature Height: 3-5 feet

     Mature Width: 3-6 feet 

     Ships: Bare root   Why bare root?

Plant Highlights

A quick snapshot of what makes this plant stand out.

     Easy To Grow

     Fast Growing

    Good For Pots

     Cold Hardy

    Fire Resistant

    Deer Resistant

Where To Plant

USDA Hardiness Zones show which plants thrive in your climate based on average winter lows. The lower the number, the colder the region. Use the map below to find your zone and choose plants that will grow successfully year after year.

     Hardiness Zone: 7-11 (USDA)

Why Happy Valley Plants?

We're passionate about connecting people with the beauty of nature. From hand-selected plants to expert support and thoughtful packaging, we put care into every detail. Assuring your plants arrive healthy, happy, and ready to thrive.

     Packaged With Care

Your satisfaction matters to us. Each plant is hand-picked, wrapped, and packaged with precision to ensure it arrives safely and ready to grow. If something’s not right, reach out within 72 hours and we’ll do our best to make it right.

     Quality At A Fair Price

We believe great plants shouldn’t come with a premium price tag. Our goal is to make quality, hard-to-find plants accessible and affordable, so you can grow more for less.

     Horticultural Help

Need advice or have plant questions? Our expert team is always happy to help. We’re gardeners first and love sharing our knowledge. Explore our blog for growing tips and plant care guides.