(Photograph = Opuntia atrispina)

Introduction

Opuntias are the most widespread of all cacti. You can find them from Canada to Argentina. They are small, medium, or large (even tree-like) and typically have beautiful flowers.

In the Garden

Most people think of the desert when they think of cacti, but Opuntias are often easy to grow and many don’t require a desert climate. Some will grow in grasslands, in the Northeast, and even in the humid South. Wherever you grow them, they need sun, at least half a day if you can provide it.

Opuntias are often grown as garden plants, and they explode into flower each spring. Flowers can be white, pale-yellow, orange, pink, red, or even cerise.

Some Opuntias have beautiful colors when they are drought-stressed or in cold weather. The cladodes (pads) may be purple, green-red, or even reddish in cold weather or in drought. Some opuntias are naturally blue-green.