photos of prickly pear cactus Opuntia ficus-indica

photos of prickly pear cactus Opuntia ficus-indicaOpuntia ficus indica The Spineless Prickly Pear is a robust, arborescent (tree forming) cacti. All types were introduced into the southern U. S. via human migration. Both pads & fruit used are an important human food source and animal fodder. They produce large, oblong, smooth bright green pads with most being virtually spine free, some glochids may still be present. The mature pads typically grow to 10 15 in. long by 5 10 in. wide. They produce

Opuntia ficus-indica 

The Spineless Prickly Pear is a robust, arborescent (tree-forming) cacti. All types were introduced into the southern U.S. via human migration. Both pads & fruit used are an important human food source and animal fodder. They produce large, oblong, smooth bright green pads with most being virtually spine free, some glochids may still be present. The mature pads typically grow to 10-15 in. long by 5-10 in. wide. They produce yellow or orange cup-shaped flowers and set large, red to purple edible fruits. Plants ship bare root.  Cuttings have no roots.

Growth Guide

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

     Exposure: Full to part sun

    Watering: Low

     Mature Height: 6-8 feet

     Mature Width: 3-5 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

    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: 9-11 (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.