Opuntia gosseliniana aka Violet Prickly Pear

Taxonomy

Opuntia gosseliniana, also known as the violet prickly pear, is a species of cactus that is native to Pima County, Arizona in the United States and Baja California, Chihuahua, and Sonora in Mexico. Its flat pads have a unique violet, pink, or red tinge, and it can reach heights of one to five feet. The plant blooms either yellow or red. Another similar plant is the Opuntia santarita, also called the Santa Rita prickly pear, which is an upright, bushy succulent shrub with round, fleshy pads that turn rich purple in the winter and soft blue-gray in warmer temperatures. The violet prickly pear is a relatively rare houseplant that thrives in direct light, needs very little water, and prefers extremely well-draining soil. It doesn't require added fertilizers if you repot it each time it doubles in size.

Common names

Violet Prickly Pear

How to care for Violet Prickly Pear

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Violet Prickly Pear is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

Violet Prickly Pear does best in dry soil and should only be watered sparingly.

Soil

To keep your Violet Prickly Pear healthy, it's important to use a potting soil that won't retain too much moisture. A soil that drains well and contains perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition is ideal. Adding a few handfuls of perlite to regular cactus soil from the store is an easy way to create this type of soil mix.

Lighting

Violet Prickly Pear requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Violet Prickly Pear is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Violet Prickly Pear to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Humidity

Violet Prickly Pear prefers dry environments, but by misting the plant or providing extra humidity, water will linger on the leaves and create an ideal environment for fungi that could be harmful.

Fertilizer

The Violet Prickly Pear is characterized by its slow growth and doesn't need fertilization in addition to its potting soil. By renewing the soil in its pot once a year, it should have enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not from any fertilizers.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the Violet Prickly Pear as it grows vertically.

Region of origin

Violet Prickly Pear’s native range is the Americas.


More info:
Wikipedia