Opuntia cacanapa ‘Ellisiana’

spineless prickly pear
Low-growing, spineless prickly pear makes yellow blooms in summer. Prefers well-drained soil. Nice in pots. Edible red fruit.
height 3–5
width 3–6ft
tolerates Cold, Drought, Heat, Pots
water
needs		 Lowest
water
info		 Opuntia are extremely drought-tolerant, which means that no additional water should be needed once the plant is established. Newer plants might show that they are thirsty when their leaves begin to shrivel. If this happens, give them a bit of water; otherwise they might start to drop their paddles. Often these shed paddles will root and grow once rain comes.

To keep your opuntia plump and lush-looking, water it every two or three weeks during the summer.

Opuntias prefer good drainage, but they are tolerant of a wide range of soils.
hardy
to		 0F
exposure Full Sun
indoor
outdoor		 Outdoor
drainage In Ground: Cactus Mix, In Pots: Cactus Mix, Tolerates Sandy Soil
fertilizing All Purpose, Low Needs
origin SW USA
california
native		 No
sunset
zones		 7–24

Sunset Zones Map

Outdoor Exposure Guide

Growing Notes

These smaller Opuntias tend to be more “bushy,“ filling in low and growing without a central stem.

Special Interest

This opuntia has edible paddles called nopales. Harvest them while they still feel supple. Be sure to remove the glochids (wear thick rubber gloves!) before you grill them with a little lime, sea salt and olive oil.

This opuntia also has edible fruit, commonly called the prickly pear or tuna. Your friends will love a frosted prickly pear margarita! The fruit will be ripe when its colorful, though you’ll want to be sure not to end up with a mouthful of glochids (spines). Ways of removing the glochids from the fruit include rubbing them down or burning them off.

Summer flowers attract pollinators.