Opuntia gosseliniana aka Violet Prickly Pear

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Violet Prickly Pear’s native range is the Americas.