Opuntia, Cliff Prickly Pear, Hedgehog, Juniper Prickly Pear, Heacock's Prickly Pear 'Dark Knight'

Opuntiapolyacantha var. rhodantha

Family
Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)
Genus
Opuntia (op-UN-shee-a)
Synonym
Opuntia rhodantha
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Height
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Spacing
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Danger
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color
Fuchsia (red-purple)
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From herbaceous stem cuttings
From woody stem cuttings
Allow cut surface to callous over before planting
Seed Collecting
Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Frankfort, Illinois

Parsons, Kansas

High Rolls Mountain Park, New Mexico

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Waterville, Washington

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Gardener's Notes:

2
positives
1
neutral
0
negative
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X
Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9b) | April 2011 | neutral

Long white spines on purple medium sized pads. Low growing and sprawling to about 4 feet wide. The flowers are a brilliant deep pink in June.

G
Parsons, KS (Zone 6b) | January 2011 | positive

To me, this plant more closely resembles Opuntia phaeacantha, but it is hard to tell. The plant has the deepest purple I've ever seen fo...Read More

S
Oklahoma City, OK | June 2009 | positive

I purchased a pad of this cactus from Cold Hardy Cactus in Colorado. It has very dark purple pads in winter, the color of grape koolaid, ...Read More

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