Opuntia macrorhiza aka Western Prickly Pear

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Western Prickly Pear due to its easy-going nature.

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

To keep your Western 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.

Western Prickly Pear thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Tuberous Rooted Prickly Pear.

During the wintertime, it's common for Western Prickly Pear to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.

Western Prickly Pear is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Western 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 Western 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.

Clumping is a defining characteristic of the Western Prickly Pear, with new growth appearing from the soil surrounding the primary plant.

Western Prickly Pear’s native range is the Americas.