How to Grow and Care for Prickly pear

Angel's-wings (*Opuntia microdasys*) is a flowering cactus species native to Mexico. Angel's-wings is closely related to Opuntia RFID, which can be differentiated from Opuntia microdasys by its reddish color. Some scientists consider the two cacti to be the same species. This species is also known as the bunny ears cactus, the bunny cactus, or the polka-dot cactus. It is sometimes planted as an ornamental on borders and in gardens.

Drooping prickly pear (*Opuntia monacantha*) is a fast-growing succulent shrub that will grow up to 6 m tall. It blooms in summer with yellowish to deep orange flowers that are large, up to 8 cm long, and 10 cm wide. The large fruit is reddish-purple and ripens in the fall. It grows best in full sun and sandy, well-drained soil.

Eastern prickly pear (Opuntia humifusa) is a cactus native to eastern North America that grows low to the ground. Eastern prickly pear requires a hot, dry climate and full sunlight for optimal growth, as it cannot grow in shade. In the wild, this species grows in sandy, rocky, and coastal scrub habitats.

Prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) is a flowering cactus native to Mexico. Prickly pear is a widely domesticated species grown for agricultural purposes in arid climates throughout the world. This species is edible and planted widely as a fruit and vegetable crop. Prickly pear is commercially valued as food, animal fodder, an adobe ingredient, and is also planted to control soil erosion.

Brittle prickly pear (Opuntia fragilis) is a small cactus species also known as little prickly pear. Brittle prickly pear is a low-growing, clumping cactus with yellow-green colored flowers. New pads grow out of the top of the cactus, causing it to bend over. Where the new pads touch the soil, roots form and grow into new cacti. Pads that break off can form entirely new colonies. This little cactus may not flower indoors.