Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia compressa)

Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus

Opuntia compressa (syn. O. humifusa) is a clump‑forming, semi‑prostrate cactus with flattened, round‑to‑oval green pads 2–10 inches across. Pads bear scattered needle‑like spines and tufts of glochids (bristles). Showy bright yellow flowers appear in late spring and summer, maturing to edible, pulpy red or purple fruit.

Key Features

• Native, drought‑tolerant cactus with showy yellow flowers.
• Edible fruit (tunas) after flowering.
• Naturalizes easily via detached pads rooting.

Warning

Glochids cause intense skin irritation and are difficult to remove. Plant becomes scraggly in winter as pads lose water, greening up again in spring.

Growing Conditions

Easy in dry, sandy, or gravelly soil; tolerates clay with good drainage. Full sun to part shade.

Care & Propagation

Propagate from separated stem segments. Problems: cladode rots, leaf spots, mealybugs, scale, bacterial soft rot, viruses.

Landscape Uses

Beds, borders, naturalizing; desert and rock gardens.

Quick Reference

Height	6–12 in.
Spread	1–3 ft.
Growth Habit	Clumps
Light	Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture	Dry
Bloom Time	Spring, Summer
Flower Color	Yellow
Type	Cactus/Succulent